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- Tasks: Lead a team to manage student accommodation and ensure top-notch customer service.
- Company: Join Downing, a leading developer of luxury student accommodation with over 35 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, paid overtime, pension scheme, life assurance, and 25 days holiday.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team in a vibrant city, making a real impact on student living.
- Qualifications: Experience in student accommodation or hospitality management is essential; facilities management experience is a plus.
- Other info: Work Monday to Friday with occasional Saturdays; flexible hours and additional summer support may be required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Residence Manager to join our team responsible for the operational activities within our scheme comprising of 238 en-suite and studio bedrooms in the heart of Edinburgh. As Residence Manager, you will be responsible for delivering the best possible experience for our customers and ensuring the delivery of cost-effective facilities and maintenance services.
Downing are an award-winning leading developer, owner, and operator of bespoke, luxury student accommodation, residential and commercial property across the UK. We have been operating for over 35 years and currently have 14 operational student accommodation schemes in 10 major cities, with additional impressive projects currently under construction.
Role outline:
- To manage and motivate the team to operate New Park student accommodation, providing a high-quality service for customers.
- To instruct the site team regarding Health & Safety, data protection & current legislation.
- The role will involve handling partnership agreements with large external institutes and meeting all the relevant SLA’s and KPI’s.
- To support hospitality & customer service functions to include presentation of communal areas, handling of complaints and pastoral issues.
- To manage the student letting cycle to ensure 100% occupancy. This will include marketing activities, scheduling for availability, viewings, check in and out, inspections, tenancy agreements, rent & arrears management, student welfare & head office documentation.
- Assist in planning the availability and viewing of all rooms to let.
- Contribute to achieving all lettings targets to ensure the site is 100% let year on year.
- Maximize income e.g. promoting extensions, summer lets and vending.
- To prepare reports relating to lettings, rent and customer issues.
- To provide customer focused Facilities and Maintenance services to include management of utilities, waste, security & cleaning contracts and full budgets.
- To be responsible for the delivery of the scheme’s statutory inspection and testing programme and all associated paperwork. To prepare reports relating to Health & Safety/site issues.
- To provide site/building management to ensure best practice at all times, scheduling and management of trades, support services plus supporting the relationship building with local Police, Fire, Ambulance and supporting partners e.g. University.
- To organise, tender and manage own quota of minor works, planned and preventative maintenance programs.
- Contribute to ensuring compliance with Health & Safety legislation, and that all risk assessments are correctly carried out.
- Manage defects and resolve complex or outstanding defects.
- Contribute to the on-site procurement programme for maintenance, servicing and facilities contracts and to minor contractors throughout the contract term.
Key Requirements:
- A proven commercial experience of working within student/university halls accommodation or hotel sector.
- This role would be ideal for an individual currently working at Assistant Manager level or equivalent looking for that next step.
- Previous Facilities Management experience would be an advantage.
- To manage staff with expertise outside of your current skill set.
- To be dynamic and 100% customer service & service delivery focused.
- To be self-motivated, well organised and excel under pressure.
Hours of Work:
Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm or 9am to 6pm on a rota’d shift basis. We require you to work 1 in 3 Saturday’s 8am to 5pm on a rota’d shift basis, with hours given back in lieu the following week. During our summer turnaround period, we may require additional support to cover additional hours.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary.
- Paid overtime.
- Company Pension scheme.
- Life Assurance cover.
- 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays.
Residence Manager employer: Downing
Contact Detail:
Downing Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Residence Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of student accommodation management. Understanding the unique challenges and expectations in this sector will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the student accommodation and facilities management sectors. Attend relevant events or join online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even referrals for the Residence Manager role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing teams and delivering customer service. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've motivated staff and handled customer complaints effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Downing as a company, including their values and recent projects. Showing that you understand their mission and how you can contribute will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Residence Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in student accommodation or the hotel sector. Emphasise your management skills and any previous roles that involved customer service, facilities management, or team leadership.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for providing excellent customer service and your ability to manage operational activities. Mention specific examples from your past experiences that align with the responsibilities of the Residence Manager role.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on key skills such as team management, health and safety compliance, and customer service excellence. Use bullet points to make these stand out and ensure they match the job description.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Downing
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Residence Manager, you'll be responsible for managing and motivating a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, especially in high-pressure environments.
✨Demonstrate Customer Service Focus
This role is all about delivering an exceptional experience for customers. Highlight your previous experiences in customer service, particularly in hospitality or student accommodation, and share specific instances where you resolved complaints or improved service delivery.
✨Understand Health & Safety Regulations
Familiarise yourself with relevant health and safety legislation, as this will be a key part of your responsibilities. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in previous roles and how you would approach health and safety in the new position.
✨Prepare for Operational Challenges
The role involves managing various operational activities, including lettings and maintenance. Think about potential challenges you might face in this role and prepare to discuss your strategies for overcoming them, such as maximising occupancy rates and managing budgets effectively.
