At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead facilities management to create safe, modern spaces for colleagues and customers.
- Company: Join a values-driven charity making a real difference in Sunderland.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days annual leave, flexible working, and a competitive pension scheme.
- Other info: Great work-life balance with early finishes on Fridays and hybrid working options.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to provide quality homes and thrive in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Leadership experience in facilities management or property-related roles is essential.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 75600 £ per year.
We're a values-driven, charitable organisation on a mission to make a real difference in Sunderland. Every day, we provide more than 60,000 people with a place they're proud to call home. Our vision is clear: everyone deserves a good-quality home they can afford. We invest millions of pounds each year to keep our homes safe and decent, while also playing a part in tackling the UK housing crisis by building hundreds of modern, energy-efficient homes for rent right here in Sunderland.
If you share our passion for creating thriving communities and want to be part of something that truly matters, we'd love for you to join us and help achieve our vision.
Salary: £54
We're excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for an experienced and proactive Facilities Manager to join Gentoo during a pivotal time of growth and transformation. With a new office development underway and improvements planned across our operational properties, you'll play a key role in shaping safe, modern, and welcoming spaces for our colleagues and customers.
In this role, you'll lead with a colleague-first mindset, ensuring our operational properties, assets, and non-social housing portfolio—including residential, commercial, and land—are managed to the highest standard. You'll also be instrumental in delivering our Group Accommodation Review, helping create workplaces where every Gentoo colleague can thrive.
We recognise the importance of a positive work-life balance—our hybrid working model offers the flexibility of both office and home-based work. To support collaboration and innovation, you'll be required to work from the office for part of the working week and be flexible to attend on-site meetings as needed. We support a great work-life balance with our standard 36-hour working week, Monday to Friday. Plus, enjoy an early finish at 12:30 pm every Friday—giving you more time for the things that matter to you. We are also proud to be certified as a 'Great Place To Work'. A full UK driving licence and a basic DBS check (arranged and funded by Gentoo) are required for this position.
What you will be doing:
- Deliver a proactive, high-quality facilities management service that supports the Group's goals and enhances the colleague experience.
- Lead the planning and delivery of the investment programme for all operational properties.
- Oversee effective repairs, maintenance, and essential health & safety checks across operational buildings.
- Support financial planning by contributing to budget setting, optimisation, and day-to-day budget management for maintenance and capital works.
- Work closely with Procurement to align hard and soft FM contracts and ensure value for money.
- Support the Facilities Contract Manager with construction-phase planning and delivery of maintenance contracts (e.g., lightning protection, ventilation cleaning).
- Lead the procurement and management of the Group-wide soft services FM contract.
- Act as the main contact for Permit to Work requests outside existing projects.
- Ensure operational buildings meet all health, safety, and legislative requirements, acting as the Responsible Person for HQ buildings.
- Build strong relationships with internal teams and external partners to ensure seamless service delivery.
- Champion a high-performance, values-driven culture and support transformational change across the Group.
- Lead reviews of operational properties and make recommendations to support ongoing portfolio rationalisation.
- Assist with sourcing and providing property and rental valuation services in line with Group policies and charitable status.
What we are looking for:
Essential:
- Leadership – Proven ability in developing high-performing maintenance teams, using a collaborative and motivational style which inspires others to deliver a great service.
- Contract & Project Management – Experienced in leading significant contracts and projects, setting and achieving KPIs and managing resources effectively.
- Engagement – Open, inclusive and responsive to customer and colleague feedback to improve property services to customers.
- Qualifications/Experience – A recognised FM or property-related qualification, OR relevant work experience in a similar-level role, including the leadership experience required for this position.
Desirable:
- Experienced in delivering meaningful service improvements in partnership with internal colleagues and external stakeholders.
- Ability to build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships across the organisation, support, and develop continuous improvement.
- Experience of successfully delivering a similar role within an organisation of comparable size and complexity.
Some of our great benefits include:
- 31 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with an option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year.
- Early finish on Fridays.
- Flexible and hybrid working.
- Free Health Cash Plan, with cashback for dental, optical, physio, wellbeing therapies and more, with some free child cover.
- Access to private healthcare through the Health Cash Plan.
- Competitive Aviva pension scheme - Gentoo will contribute up to 10% based on your personal contribution.
- Salary sacrifice electric vehicle scheme.
- Enhanced family-friendly leave.
- Car mileage allowance if you use your personal vehicle for business purposes.
- Life assurance cover to the value of 3 times your annual salary.
Facilities Manager in Sunderland employer: Gentoo Group
Gentoo is a values-driven charitable organisation dedicated to making a significant impact in Sunderland by providing quality homes and fostering thriving communities. As a Facilities Manager, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises work-life balance, offering flexible hybrid working arrangements, an early finish on Fridays, and generous annual leave. With a commitment to employee growth and development, Gentoo provides numerous opportunities for professional advancement while ensuring a positive and collaborative environment for all staff.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Facilities Manager in Sunderland
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the facilities management field 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 the company culture and values. Since Gentoo is all about creating thriving communities, think about how your experience aligns with their mission and be ready to share examples that showcase your passion.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable discussing your skills and experiences. Focus on how you've led teams and managed projects effectively, as these are key for the Facilities Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission to make a difference in Sunderland.
We think you need these skills to ace Facilities Manager in Sunderland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for creating thriving communities shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in Sunderland and how your values align with ours.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure to tailor your CV to highlight your relevant experience in facilities management. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've led teams and managed projects effectively, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your skills and experiences are easy to read and understand. Avoid jargon unless it’s necessary!
Apply Early:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application! We might close the vacancy early if we get a lot of applications, so get yours in as soon as possible through our website to ensure it’s considered.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gentoo Group
✨Know the Organisation Inside Out
Before your interview, take some time to research Gentoo and its mission. Understand their values, the communities they serve, and their current projects. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in being part of their team.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Facilities Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire teams. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed projects or improved services. Highlight how your leadership style aligns with Gentoo's values and how you can contribute to a high-performance culture.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think of scenarios related to facilities management, such as handling maintenance issues or managing budgets. Practising your responses will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Use this opportunity to inquire about Gentoo's future projects, team dynamics, or how they measure success in the Facilities Manager role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you.
