Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies 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, competitive bonuses, 33 days holiday, and more.
- Why this job: Shape the future of living and make a real impact on communities.
- Qualifications: Senior facilities management experience and strong stakeholder skills required.
- 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. We are redefining how residential communities are operated and experienced. As our portfolio continues to grow across Build to Rent, Single Family Housing, and PBSA, we are 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 will 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 will 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 will lead facilities delivery across all residential asset classes, ensuring operational excellence at scale. This will include:
- 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 are looking for a confident, commercially astute facilities leader who is comfortable operating at senior level and across complex portfolios. You will 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)
- 33 days holiday + the 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
Contact Detail:
Dandara 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 them you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate how your vision aligns with their mission to redefine living experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience in leading facilities and compliance, especially in multi-site environments. Highlight your achievements and how they can translate into success for Dandara Living.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Facilities in Manchester
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 redefining 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 teams and manage complex portfolios. Share examples of how you've driven operational excellence and built strong relationships with stakeholders in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you quicker!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dandara
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Dandara Living's operations and values. Familiarise yourself with their approach to facilities management, especially in residential settings. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As a Head of Facilities, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership. Prepare examples from your past roles where you've successfully led teams or managed complex projects. Highlight your ability to drive operational excellence and maintain high standards across multiple sites.
✨Emphasise Safety and Compliance
Given the importance of safety and compliance in this role, be ready to discuss your knowledge of health and safety regulations. Share specific instances where you've implemented safety protocols or improved compliance measures in previous positions.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about Dandara Living's future projects or how they envision the evolution of their facilities strategy. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
