Operational Estates Manager

Do you enjoy leading teams and making a real difference in a busy operational environment? We're looking for an experienced and motivated Operational Estates Manager to lead estates services at Horton General Hospital, Banbury, Oxfordshire. This is a varied and rewarding role where you'll oversee the safe, reliable and efficient operation of our buildings, infrastructure and engineering systems. You'll lead maintenance and improvement programmes, manage operational priorities and help ensure our estate supports outstanding patient care every day.

Working with colleagues across the Trust, you'll provide expert advice, build strong working relationships and drive continuous improvements that enhance the experience of patients, visitors and staff. We're looking for a proactive leader who can solve complex challenges, inspire teams and deliver high-quality services. Whether your experience comes from healthcare or another large, complex organisation, you'll bring the expertise and ambition to help shape a safe, sustainable and future-ready estate. If you're passionate about delivering excellent services and leading positive change, we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

As Operational Estates Manager, you will lead the delivery of safe, compliant and reliable estate services, ensuring our buildings and infrastructure support outstanding patient care across our sites. Key responsibilities include:

• Lead operational estates engineering services, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, NHS standards and Trust policies.
• Manage the safety, reliability and performance of mechanical and electrical systems across the estate.
• Provide expert technical advice and support to teams, stakeholders and project groups.
• Oversee maintenance contracts and service agreements, ensuring quality, value for money and high performance.
• Lead maintenance, improvement and capital projects in partnership with internal and external teams.
• Monitor compliance, performance and risk, driving continuous improvement and maintaining accurate records.
• Support emergency response arrangements, business continuity planning and the estates on-call service.
• Champion sustainability, energy efficiency and environmental improvement initiatives.
• Manage budgets, resources and workforce development to deliver effective and efficient services.
• Support audits, inspections and investigations, deputising for the Senior Estates Engineering Manager when required.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and most respected NHS teaching trusts, providing world-class healthcare across four hospitals: the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and Horton General Hospital and over one hundred satellite sites. You'll become part of an organisation at the forefront of patient care, research, education and innovation. You'll have access to excellent learning and development opportunities, work alongside highly skilled multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to services that make a real difference.

Our commitment to Delivering Compassionate Excellence is at the heart of everything we do. Guided by our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence, we strive to create an environment where staff feel supported, valued and empowered to thrive. We are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful and safe workplace for everyone.

Key Responsibilities

Responsible for monitoring and ensuring that the operation and maintenance of Estates services, buildings and building services installations comply with health service requirements and statutory instruments. Directing, encouraging, and motivating contractors to achieve financial and key performance targets. Provide long term maintenance planning, short term project planning and emergency/contingency planning for critical services. To co-ordinate and liaise with other staff within the Estates Directorate ensuring efficiency in service provision. Communicate with Divisional Managers, Ward Managers, Heads of Department and service managers on the status and progression of remedial works, maintenance, and other associated Estates services of service problems.

To act as Authorised person for specialist duties, including legionella management, medical gas systems, asbestos control, HV, LV and Lifts etc. Ensure that all insurance and safety inspections are carried out as required by statutory requirement and in compliance with Department of Health guidance. To interpret and implement changes to statutory and regulatory requirements as required within the scope of this role and to disseminate these changes to others within the Trust.

Work with Senior Estates Engineering Manager to develop policies and strategic planning. Responsible for delegated budgets raising orders and invoice certification. Providing financial reports as required by the Senior Estates Engineering Manager. Ensure value for money, product suitability and compliance with the Trust standing financial instructions.