At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead facilities management to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for patients and staff.
- Company: Join East Lancashire Hospice, a compassionate charity making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and access to professional development.
- Other info: Collaborative work environment with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Be part of a unique organisation where kindness and compassion are at the heart of everything we do.
- Qualifications: Experience in facilities management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 44173 - 44173 £ per year.
Responsible to: CEO
Type of contract: Permanent
Hours: 37.5 per week
Salary: £44,173
Closing date: Monday 17th November 2025
Interview date: W/C: 24th November 2025
This post involves regular, direct unsupervised access to vulnerable adults and therefore is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
East Lancashire Hospice is a registered charity, founded in 1984. We support and care for patients with a life limiting illness, their families and others close to them. We provide this in a number of ways; at the hospice and in people’s own homes across our community of Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley. With approximately 120 employees and over 250 volunteers, our people are our biggest asset whom we value tremendously. Our services to the local community would not be possible without our motivated and caring workforce who always strive to deliver excellence in all that they do. The hospice is a unique and special place, kindness and compassion are qualities that run throughout the hospice and our people truly believe in what we do.
We are looking for an experienced Head of Facilities to join our Corporate Services team. The Head of Facilities will be responsible for ensuring compliance with legislation, best practices, and quality standards in facilities management, which includes overseeing the buildings, grounds, and garden at Park Lee Road, as well as our retail premises.
Key Responsibilities
- To ensure the buildings and grounds are safe, secure, clean and tidy and well maintained.
- To ensure that contracts and the maintenance plan represent value for money and be instrumental in their negotiation, renewal and performance management.
- To ensure that contracts are in place for a maintenance plan (in line with the lease obligations); a cleaning contract is in place and monitored; private laundry services are in place; a gritting contract is in place and liaise with NHS Property Services as required.
- To develop and monitor budgets including standalone projects.
- To be responsible for the safe keeping and use of the hospice credit card and petty cash.
- Act as the lead for organisational Health and Safety; Fire Safety; Infection Control (including mask fitting FFP3) and the Equipment User Group - proactively managing these groups and reporting to Hospice Governance committees as requested.
- Carry out bi-annual audits as required.
- Play a lead role in the out of hours process (currently in development).
- To maintain cash till and card facilities for reception and catering (and work with IGMD to operate with fundraising and retail operations wherever possible).
- As a senior member of the Hospice management team to work collaboratively with other Heads of Department on matters relating to Hospice development and to role model our values.
Working for ELH is incredibly rewarding; every day, we make a significant difference in people’s lives, and you could be a part of that. We value and support our staff, enabling them to perform at their best and enjoy coming to work.
What we offer
The salary for this role, depending on experience, is £44,173, working 37.5 hours across 5 days flexibly to meet the needs of the Hospice. We have an excellent, collaborative working environment with a generous holiday allowance of 27 days + Bank Holidays with the option to buy additional days. You will have access to learning and development opportunities, ongoing training, and funded access to a private health scheme. There is also onsite parking and an onsite Café with reduced staff prices.
Aside from the terms and conditions detailed above, you will be joining a very special and unique organisation, where people are at the heart of everything we do.
Equality and Diversity
We support an inclusive and holistic working environment and aim to empower our people to bring their authentic self to work. We are committed to this and so encourage applications from all individuals with the required skills for the role inclusive of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, colour, caste, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, socio-economic background, trade union membership status, marriage, and civil partnerships. ELH is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and volunteers.
Interested?
For further information relating to the job duties, please refer to the job description by clicking ‘Job Description’ below. If you wish to apply for this post, please complete the online application form. Please make sure you read through the job description and outline your relevant skills and experience applicable to the job in the supporting information box, whilst detailing your career history in the relevant fields. You may also send your CV directly to Recruitment@Eastlancshospice.org.uk stating which job you are interested in, along with the application form and supporting information outlining your relevant skills/experience applicable to the job. Please note that references will not be contacted at this stage, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. All enquiries and further information regarding the above can be obtained from the recruiting manager. Alternatively, these documents can be obtained from the Recruitment Department on: 01254 916945 / 01254 965833.
Head of Facilities in Blackburn employer: East Lancashire Hospice
Contact Detail:
East Lancashire Hospice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Facilities in Blackburn
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the facilities management field. You never know who might have a lead on a job or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching East Lancs Hospice and its values. Show us that you understand our mission and how your experience aligns with what we do.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions related to facilities management. We want to see how you handle scenarios like budget management and compliance issues, so be ready to share your insights!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Facilities in Blackburn
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing, give the job description a good read. It’ll help you understand what we’re looking for in a Head of Facilities and how you can showcase your relevant skills and experience.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in facilities management. Use specific examples that align with our values and the responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out the application form, keep your answers clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforwardness, so avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates about the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at East Lancashire Hospice
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of the Head of Facilities role. Familiarise yourself with facilities management best practices, health and safety regulations, and the specific needs of East Lancashire Hospice. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in facilities management, especially any roles where you've overseen compliance and quality standards. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've successfully managed budgets, contracts, and maintenance plans in the past. This will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
As a senior member of the management team, collaboration is key. Be ready to talk about how you've worked with other departments in previous roles. Highlight instances where your teamwork led to improved outcomes or efficiencies, as this aligns with the hospice's values of collaboration and community.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the hospice's future projects, how they measure success in facilities management, or their approach to staff development. Asking thoughtful questions shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you.