Head of Facilities in Manchester

Head of Facilities in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time 42000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead facilities strategy and ensure operational excellence across residential communities.
  • Company: Dandara Living, a market leader in residential community development.
  • Benefits: Up to £70k salary, generous holiday, competitive bonuses, and health perks.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of living and make a real impact on community experiences.
  • Qualifications: Senior facilities management experience and strong stakeholder management skills.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with national travel and excellent career growth opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 £ per year.

Step into a leadership role shaping the future of living at Dandara Living. At Dandara Living, we’re redefining how residential communities are operated and experienced. As our portfolio continues to grow across Build to Rent, Single Family Housing and PBSA, we’re looking for a Head of Facilities to lead from the front — setting standards, driving consistency, and building a facilities strategy that scales with ambition. This is a senior, national role with real influence. You’ll shape how our buildings are operated, how safety and compliance are embedded, and how residents experience their homes — today and as the portfolio evolves.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Central Operations, the Head of Facilities will take ownership of facilities, estates, compliance and technical standards across Dandara Living’s residential portfolio. Based from our Manchester, Milton Keynes and London offices, with a mixture of national travel and home working, you’ll work closely with Operations, Compliance, Investment teams and our Health & Safety Manager to ensure assets are safe, compliant, efficient and future-proofed. This role plays a critical part in supporting Dandara Living’s expansion into Single Family Housing and PBSA, ensuring new and existing schemes are mobilised smoothly and operated to a consistently high standard from day one.

What You Will Do

  • You’ll lead facilities delivery across all residential asset classes, ensuring operational excellence at scale.
  • Setting and maintaining portfolio-wide facilities, estates and compliance standards.
  • Leading reactive maintenance, PPM, M&E and statutory compliance across BTR, SFH and PBSA.
  • Championing a Safety First culture, with full oversight of fire, building safety and statutory obligations.
  • Holding full budget responsibility for facilities and estates spend across the portfolio.
  • Developing and managing strategic third-party supplier relationships to deliver value, quality and scalability.
  • Leading vendor performance, escalation and SLA management.
  • Acting as a senior escalation point for complex facilities, compliance or infrastructure issues.
  • Supporting onsite teams with contractor management, permits to work and technical guidance.
  • Overseeing CAFM and compliance systems, ensuring accurate reporting and KPI tracking.
  • Producing clear, robust facilities and compliance reporting for internal stakeholders and investors.
  • Leading lifecycle planning, asset condition assessments and CapEx recommendations.
  • Supporting new scheme mobilisation, from O&M review through to steady-state operations.
  • Collaborating with Development and Operations teams to deliver future-proofed facilities solutions.

What You Will Bring

We’re looking for a confident, commercially astute facilities leader who is comfortable operating at senior level and across complex portfolios. You’ll ideally have:

  • Proven experience in a senior facilities, estates or technical role within residential, hospitality, PBSA or similar environments.
  • Strong understanding of facilities management across different residential asset classes.
  • Demonstrable experience leading multi-site teams and specialist service providers.
  • Excellent stakeholder management skills, including experience working with investors and senior leaders.
  • Strong commercial and budget management capability.
  • IOSH qualification (or higher), with in-depth knowledge of health, safety and building compliance.
  • A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach and willingness to travel nationally.

What We Will Offer You

Dandara is a market-leading developer in the living sector, delivering Build-to-Rent, Single Family Housing, and Purpose-Built Student Accommodation. Today, Dandara Living is one of the UK’s leading designers, developers, and operators of large-scale residential communities, with a proven track record in creating award-winning developments. Our in-house expertise spans land acquisition, design, development, procurement, site delivery, and property and asset management, allowing us to create sustainable, inclusive places where people genuinely want to live.

Our benefits include:

  • Up to £70k depending on experience.
  • Competitive car allowance and access to our EV scheme.
  • Competitive annual bonus (discretionary).
  • More than 33 days holiday + option to buy 5 more.
  • Up to 5% matched pension scheme.
  • 3x salary life assurance (option to increase to x4).
  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
  • 24-hour Digital Doctor access.
  • Health Assured Wisdom App.
  • Competitive parental leave.
  • Discounts platform with hundreds of retailers, restaurants and gyms.

Important note: No agency applications will be considered for this role. Any CVs received will be treated as a free gift.

Head of Facilities in Manchester employer: Dandara Living

At Dandara Living, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and excellence in residential community management. Our collaborative work culture fosters professional growth, offering extensive benefits such as a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and a supportive environment for career advancement. With offices in Manchester, Milton Keynes, and London, we provide a dynamic workplace that values employee well-being and encourages a safety-first approach, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the facilities management sector.
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Contact Detail:

Dandara Living Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Facilities in Manchester

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the facilities management sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching Dandara Living and their approach to residential communities. Show us how your experience aligns with their vision and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their ambitious goals.

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Dandara Living team.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Facilities in Manchester

Leadership Skills
Facilities Management
Compliance Knowledge
Health and Safety Management
Budget Management
Stakeholder Management
Vendor Management
Technical Standards Oversight
Project Management
Problem-Solving Skills
Strategic Planning
Multi-Site Team Leadership
Communication Skills
Adaptability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Facilities role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant facilities management achievements to catch our eye!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about shaping residential communities and how your background makes you the perfect fit for Dandara Living.

Showcase Your Leadership Style: We want to know how you lead! Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and projects in the past, especially in complex environments. This will help us see your potential impact on our operations.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Dandara Living.

How to prepare for a job interview at Dandara Living

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into Dandara Living's portfolio and understand their approach to facilities management. Familiarise yourself with their Build to Rent, Single Family Housing, and PBSA models. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.

✨Showcase Leadership Skills

As a Head of Facilities, you'll be leading teams and managing complex portfolios. Prepare examples from your past roles where you've successfully led multi-site teams or managed vendor relationships. Highlight your ability to drive operational excellence and maintain compliance standards.

✨Emphasise Safety and Compliance

Given the importance of safety in this role, be ready to discuss your experience with health and safety regulations. Share specific instances where you've championed a 'Safety First' culture and how you've ensured compliance across various residential asset classes.

✨Prepare Questions

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about Dandara Living’s future projects, their approach to sustainability, or how they envision the evolution of their facilities strategy. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.

Head of Facilities in Manchester
Dandara Living
Location: Manchester

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