Head of Buildings & Maintenance
Head of Buildings & Maintenance

Head of Buildings & Maintenance

Full-Time 56469 - 56469 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to deliver high-quality maintenance services and shape long-term building strategies.
  • Company: Selwyn College, part of the University of Cambridge, known for its diverse community.
  • Benefits: Generous pension, free meals, gym access, on-site parking, and professional development.
  • Other info: Join a friendly environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on the College's built environment while promoting sustainability.
  • Qualifications: Experienced leader with knowledge in historic building conservation and project delivery.

The predicted salary is between 56469 - 56469 £ per year.

Salary: £56,469 per year (2026/27 cost of living pay award pending)

Hours: full time, 37.5 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent, subject to six months' probation

Selwyn College is seeking a Head of Buildings and Maintenance to lead its Maintenance Department. Reporting to the Bursar and Operations Manager, the successful candidate will lead a team of 11 full-time staff and play a key role in delivering the College’s ambitions for its built environment. This is a hands-on leadership role, combining the delivery of high quality, cost effective maintenance services on a day-to-day basis with the opportunity to shape and implement a longer term buildings strategy that supports the College’s objectives and sustainability goals.

To be successful in the role, you will be a confident and experienced leader, able to motivate and manage teams to deliver high quality maintenance solutions, with a clear focus on continuous improvement and sustainability. You’ll have strong knowledge of historic building conservation, asset and contract management, and experience of delivering maintenance services through both in-house teams and external contractors. A clear and effective communicator, you’ll bring solid experience of project delivery in a multi-stakeholder environment, along with a good understanding of building compliance and relevant legislation.

The College offers excellent benefits, including:

  • Generous occupational pension scheme
  • A free meal on duty
  • Free use of the College gym
  • Free on-site parking
  • Friendly and pleasant working environment
  • University of Cambridge staff card (for a small charge), which offers a wide variety of perks and local discounts
  • Access to the College Library and University Library
  • Professional development and training opportunities
  • Healthcare benefits* (*subject to completion of probationary period)

Selwyn College is home to students of all backgrounds from the UK and across the world. We are proud of our diversity. We are keen to receive applications from people who may be under-represented in our community.

Please submit a covering letter outlining your interest in and your suitability for this role.

The closing date is noon on Wednesday 3 June 2026. Interviews will take place on Thursday 11 June 2026.

Head of Buildings & Maintenance employer: Selwyn College

Selwyn College is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that values diversity and fosters professional growth. As the Head of Buildings & Maintenance, you will lead a dedicated team while enjoying generous benefits such as a robust pension scheme, free meals on duty, and access to excellent training opportunities, all within the historic and vibrant setting of the University of Cambridge.
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Contact Detail:

Selwyn College Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Buildings & Maintenance

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around sustainability and maintenance strategies. We want to see that you’re genuinely interested!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. This will help you articulate your leadership style and project delivery experience confidently.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Buildings & Maintenance

Leadership
Team Management
Maintenance Services Delivery
Historic Building Conservation
Asset Management
Contract Management
Project Delivery
Building Compliance
Communication Skills
Continuous Improvement
Sustainability Knowledge
Multi-Stakeholder Engagement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to express your genuine interest in the Head of Buildings & Maintenance role and highlight how your experience aligns with the College’s goals. We want to see your personality come through, so don’t be afraid to let us know what makes you tick!

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've motivated teams and delivered high-quality maintenance solutions. We’re looking for someone who can inspire others, so make sure we can see that in your application!

Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to detail your knowledge of historic building conservation and asset management. We want to know about your hands-on experience with both in-house teams and external contractors. Tailor your CV to reflect the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job description.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our community at Selwyn College!

How to prepare for a job interview at Selwyn College

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of historic building conservation and maintenance services. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your expertise in these areas.

✨Show Your Leadership Skills

Prepare to talk about your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Think of instances where you motivated your team to achieve high-quality results, especially in a multi-stakeholder environment.

✨Communicate Clearly

As a clear communicator, practice articulating your thoughts on project delivery and building compliance. You might be asked to explain complex concepts, so being concise and straightforward will help you stand out.

✨Align with Their Values

Familiarise yourself with Selwyn College's sustainability goals and how your vision aligns with their ambitions for the built environment. Showing that you share their values can make a big difference in your interview.

Head of Buildings & Maintenance
Selwyn College

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