General Manager in Oxford

Are you an experienced property, hospitality, or residential operations professional looking for your next challenge?

We are partnering with a growing and ambitious student accommodation provider to recruit a General Manager for one of its thriving Oxford locations. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a vibrant student community, leading day-to-day operations while delivering an exceptional resident experience.

As a General Manager, you will oversee all aspects of property performance, from operational excellence and team leadership to resident satisfaction, health & safety compliance, and commercial success. You'll play a key role in creating a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment where students can thrive throughout their university journey.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of PBSA, you will be responsible for:

Operational Management

• Managing the day-to-day operations of the student accommodation property.
• Ensuring operational procedures, policies, and service standards are consistently maintained.
• Overseeing occupancy levels, room allocations, resident administration, and check-in/check-out processes.
• Monitoring performance and implementing service improvements where required.
• Supporting operational planning during peak student arrival and departure periods.

Resident Experience

• Delivering an outstanding customer experience and maintaining high resident satisfaction levels.
• Acting as the escalation point for resident complaints, welfare concerns, and complex issues.
• Creating a positive and inclusive community environment.
• Working alongside university welfare teams and support services where necessary.
• Reviewing feedback and implementing initiatives to continuously improve the resident experience.
• Recruiting, developing, and managing on-site operational teams.
• Conducting performance reviews, coaching, and training programmes.
• Managing staff rotas and ensuring appropriate staffing levels are maintained.
• Creating a positive, high-performing culture focused on service excellence.
• Ensuring full compliance with training requirements, including health & safety and safeguarding.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensuring compliance with all health & safety regulations, fire safety requirements, safeguarding guidelines, and company policies.
• Conducting regular audits, inspections, and risk assessments.
• Managing statutory compliance records and documentation.
• Leading site response during incidents and emergency situations.
• Maintaining best practice standards within PBSA operations.

Facilities & Maintenance

• Managing maintenance programmes, contractor performance, and planned preventative maintenance schedules.
• Ensuring maintenance requests are completed within agreed service levels.
• Supporting refurbishment and improvement projects where required.
• Maintaining excellent presentation standards across the property.
• Managing property budgets and monitoring operational expenditure.
• Supporting rent collection, arrears management, deposits, and damage recovery processes.
• Driving occupancy, retention, and revenue performance.
• Supporting local marketing and leasing initiatives to maximise bookings.
• Analysing operational and financial data to identify opportunities for improvement.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Building strong relationships with universities, contractors, landlords, local authorities, and external partners.
• Representing the organisation at events, open days, and networking opportunities.
• Working closely with internal departments and senior management teams.

About You

• Experience within property management, student accommodation, residential operations, hospitality, or a similar customer-focused environment.
• Previous leadership experience managing teams in a fast-paced setting.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong customer service focus with the ability to manage challenging situations professionally.
• Knowledge of health & safety and compliance requirements.
• Experience managing budgets, targets, and multiple priorities.
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office and operational management systems.
• Experience within Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA).
• Qualifications in Property Management, Facilities Management, Hospitality, or Business Management.
• Understanding of safeguarding and student welfare frameworks.
• Experience managing large-scale residential, accommodation, or hospitality operations.

What's on Offer?

• Opportunity to join a growing and ambitious organisation.
• A varied and rewarding leadership role.
• The chance to make a genuine impact on the student experience.
• Professional development and career progression opportunities.
• A collaborative and supportive working environment.

If you're a proactive leader who enjoys taking ownership, driving performance, and creating exceptional resident experiences, we'd love to hear from you.