Small Works Manager

Small Works Manager

Full-Time 40500 - 49500 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Manchester Arndale

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team of builders and decorators to deliver high-quality maintenance and construction projects.
  • Company: Join OCS, a top-rated facilities management company with a commitment to innovation and teamwork.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, digital learning resources, flexible pay options, and exclusive retail perks.
  • Other info: Be part of an inclusive workplace that values diversity and offers excellent career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Experience in managing construction teams and projects, with strong leadership and safety knowledge.

The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.

About The Company

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn.

We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve.

Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment .

Why Work for OCS?

  • Award-Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.
  • Digital Learning: The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.
  • Retail Perks: With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.
  • Professional Growth: 600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!
  • Flexible Pay: Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

About The Role

The Small Works Manager is responsible for leading and developing the resort's in-house team of builders and decorators, ensuring all self-delivered maintenance, refurbishment and small construction works are completed safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.

The role also manages the delivery of third-party contractor projects with a value of up to £10,000, ensuring works are completed in accordance with health and safety legislation, CDM requirements, budget, programme, and quality expectations.

In addition, the Small Works Manager will support the wider Projects Team in the day-to-day management and coordination of larger capital and improvement projects across the resort.

The post holder will champion compliance, continuous improvement, and value for money while ensuring that guests, colleagues, and operational teams experience minimal disruption during works.

Key Responsibilities

  • In-House Team Leadership
  • Lead, manage and develop a team of builders and decorators.
  • Plan, prioritise and allocate workloads to ensure efficient use of resources.
  • Drive improvements in productivity, quality and customer service.
  • Monitor team performance, providing coaching, guidance and training where required.
  • Ensure all works are completed safely, on time and to the required quality standards.
  • Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork and continuous improvement.
  • Identify opportunities to increase self-delivery of works were commercially beneficial.
  • Manage materials, plant and equipment to ensure best value and effective utilisation.
  • Small Works Project Management
  • Manage refurbishment, maintenance and construction projects up to a value of £10,000.
  • Develop project scopes, specifications, programmes and cost estimates.
  • Procure and manage specialist subcontractors and suppliers.
  • Monitor contractor performance against safety, quality, programme and budget requirements.
  • Conduct site inspections and quality assurance checks throughout project delivery.
  • Ensure accurate project documentation and record keeping.
  • Report project progress, risks and performance to the Head of Facilities.
  • Contractor Management
  • Act as the primary point of contact for third-party contractors delivering small works.
  • Ensure contractors comply with all resort policies, procedures and statutory requirements.
  • Review RAMS (Risk Assessments and Method Statements) prior to work commencing.
  • Monitor contractor performance and drive continuous improvement.
  • Ensure works are delivered with minimal disruption to resort operations and guest experience.
  • Manage contractor inductions, permits and site access requirements.
  • Health, Safety and CDM Compliance
  • Ensure all projects are delivered in accordance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM).
  • Support the planning, coordination and delivery of CDM-compliant projects.
  • Undertake site audits and inspections to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation.
  • Ensure suitable risk assessments, method statements and permits are in place.
  • Promote a proactive safety culture and challenge unsafe behaviours.
  • Support investigations and corrective actions relating to incidents, near misses or non-compliance.
  • Work closely with Health & Safety teams to ensure best practice standards are maintained.
  • Project Team Support
  • Provide day-to-day support to the wider Projects Team on larger capital projects.
  • Assist with contractor coordination, programme management and project administration.
  • Support project handovers, snagging activities and completion documentation.
  • Contribute to project planning and operational liaison activities.
  • Key Performance Indicators
  • Safe delivery of all projects with zero avoidable incidents.
  • Compliance with CDM and company health and safety standards.
  • Delivery of projects within agreed budgets and timescales.
  • Productivity and utilisation of the in-house team.
  • Quality of completed works and reduction in defects.
  • Contractor performance and compliance levels.
  • Customer and stakeholder satisfaction.
  • Achievement of value-for-money objectives through effective resource management.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

  • Experience managing building, maintenance or construction teams.
  • Experience managing subcontractors and small construction projects.
  • Strong understanding of building trades, refurbishment and minor construction works.
  • Experience working within a safety-critical environment.
  • Experience managing budgets, schedules and resources.
  • Knowledge and practical application of CDM Regulations.

Essential Qualifications

  • SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) Certification
  • Relevant construction, facilities management or building trade qualification.
  • Full UK Driving Licence.

Essential Skills

  • Strong leadership and people management skills.
  • Excellent planning and organisational abilities.
  • Effective contractor and stakeholder management.
  • Strong understanding of health, safety and compliance requirements.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Commercial awareness and focus on delivering value for money.
  • Strong communication and influencing skills.
  • Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and project reporting tools.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

  • IOSH Managing Safely or NEBOSH Certificate.
  • Membership of a relevant professional body.
  • Experience within leisure, hospitality, theme park or visitor attraction environments.
  • Experience supporting larger capital projects.
  • Behavioural Competencies
  • Safety First
  • Customer Focused
  • Results Driven
  • Collaborative
  • Commercially Aware
  • Continuous Improvement Mindset
  • Quality Focused
  • Accountable and Reliable

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals.

We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.

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Small Works Manager employer: Manchester Arndale

At Manchester Arndale, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer by fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values every team member. Our part-time Evening Cleaner role offers flexible hours, allowing for a great work-life balance while contributing to a safe and welcoming environment for our customers. We are dedicated to employee growth, providing opportunities for training and development within a vibrant retail setting in the heart of Manchester.

Manchester Arndale

Contact Details:

Manchester Arndale Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Small Works Manager

Join Construction Networks

Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!

Show Off Your Skills on Site

If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.

Utilise Construction Job Sites

Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Manchester Arndale, to express your interest!

Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles

Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Small Works Manager at Manchester Arndale.

We think you need these skills to ace Small Works Manager

Team Leadership
Project Management
Building Trades Knowledge
Health and Safety Compliance
Budget Management
Contractor Management
Planning and Organisational Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.

Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.

Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.

How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester Arndale

Brush Up on Technical Knowledge

For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.

Showcase Your Projects

Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.

Understand the Team Dynamics

Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.

Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving

Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!