Cleaning Services Manager

Independents by Sodexo | Edinburgh Academy Senior & Junior Schools

• Contract: Permanent, full-time, 40 hours per week
• Working pattern: Primarily Monday to Friday, with afternoon and evening working and occasional weekends according to business needs
• Benefits: Free lunch on site, free on-site parking, Christmas and New Year off, plus Sodexo benefits
• Travel: Driving licence and own car essential for this multi-site role

Lead a team. Take ownership. Make a difference to the school day.

A well-run cleaning service makes a difference to everyone who walks through a school's doors. At Edinburgh Academy Senior and Junior Schools, your leadership will help create clean, safe and welcoming spaces where pupils can learn and staff can do their best work.

Independents by Sodexo is looking for an experienced Cleaning Services Manager to lead cleaning operations across both schools. This is an opportunity to take ownership of a service, build strong relationships with the school community and help your team take pride in the standards they deliver.

You'll bring experience of managing cleaning teams in a commercial, education or contract cleaning environment, alongside the confidence to organise a busy operation and support colleagues on the ground. We're looking for someone who enjoys being visible, knows how to get the best from people and can turn good cleaning practices into consistent results.

In return, you'll join Sodexo with access to learning and career development opportunities, an operational bonus and practical benefits including free lunch, on-site parking and Christmas and New Year off.

Your hours will primarily cover afternoons and evenings, allowing you to work alongside the cleaning team, who mainly work 4pm-9pm.

Typical shifts include 11.30am-8pm, 12.30pm-9pm or 10am-6.30pm, with occasional 7am-3.30pm shifts to support the wider operation. Some weekend working will be required according to business needs.

What you'll do

• Lead, motivate and develop the cleaning team across both schools, setting clear expectations and recognising good performance.
• Plan rotas and deploy colleagues effectively, managing absence, annual leave and changing operational requirements.
• Maintain a visible presence across both sites, checking standards, coaching colleagues and providing practical support when needed.
• Manage recruitment, onboarding and training, ensuring colleagues understand cleaning procedures and safe working practices.
• Carry out cleaning audits, inspections and risk assessments, following through on actions to improve service delivery.
• Maintain compliance with health and safety requirements, COSHH and Sodexo standards.
• Build effective relationships with school stakeholders, responding to feedback and keeping them informed.
• Manage cleaning schedules, workforce systems, supplies and expenditure within agreed budgets.

What you'll bring

• Experience managing cleaning teams within commercial premises, education or a contract cleaning operation.
• Strong people management skills, including experience organising rotas, developing colleagues and addressing performance issues.
• A practical understanding of professional cleaning methods, safe chemical use and COSHH.
• Experience monitoring cleaning standards, completing audits and taking corrective action.
• The ability to organise workloads and maintain service standards when priorities change.
• Confidence communicating with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Experience using systems to maintain staffing, cleaning or compliance records.
• A driving licence and your own car to travel between the schools.

Experience managing cleaning services across multiple sites, facilities or contract management experience, and relevant BICSc, IOSH or other cleaning and safety qualifications would be an advantage, but are not essential.

What we offer

Alongside your salary and operational bonus, you'll have access to:

• Learning and development opportunities to support your career.
• An Employee Assistance Programme offering personal, financial and legal support.
• An online mental health and wellbeing support platform.
• A 24/7 virtual GP service.
• Discounts for you, your family and friends through the Sodexo Discounts Scheme.
• Pension Plan.
• A Cycle to Work Scheme.

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Appointment will be subject to safeguarding checks appropriate to the role, including checks with previous employers and relevant Disclosure Scotland screening.

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