Property and Facilities Manager in Eastbourne

Facilities & Property Manager Supported Living (Multi-Site, Sussex / Surrey / Berkshire) Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd Field-based across Sussex, Surrey & Berkshire | Reporting to Croydon HQ £38,000 - £40,000 per annum + business mileage Full-time, Permanent | Hands-on, multi-site, operational Full UK driving licence and own vehicle essential.

Own the property function of a growing specialist care provider. Are you a hands-on, highly organised property professional who thrives on ownership, gets a kick out of solving problems quickly, and wants real responsibility across a growing portfolio of supported living homes? This is not a desk job. It is a fast-paced, field-based role for someone who can keep a dozen plates spinning across multiple counties and who would rather be on the road sorting issues than sitting in an office waiting for them to land in an inbox.

You will be the single point of accountability for the safety, compliance, set-up, and day-to-day running of Unicare's growing portfolio of supported living properties across Sussex, Surrey, and Berkshire.

About Unicare

Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is a CQC-registered specialist care provider delivering high-quality supported living and complex care services to adults with autism, learning disabilities, mental health needs, and complex behaviours. Headquartered in Croydon, we operate across Sussex, Surrey, Berkshire, and South London. Our properties are not just houses. They are structured, safe, person-centred homes designed to give vulnerable adults stability, dignity, and independence. The quality and reliability of those homes is fundamental to the quality of the care we provide which is why this role matters.

What you'll be doing

• Setting up new supported living homes: Fully prepare new properties for occupancy: furniture, white goods, utilities, safety equipment, access. Source and purchase all household items within budget. Coordinate handover so the home is ready for the service user on day one.
• Maintenance and repairs: Act as first point of contact for all property issues across the portfolio. Manage and coordinate a network of trusted electricians, plumbers, gas engineers, and general contractors. Resolve issues quickly with minimum disruption to residents. Track all maintenance work and outstanding actions.
• Health, safety, and compliance: Own statutory compliance across every property: Gas Safety, EICR, Fire Risk Assessments, Legionella, PAT testing, emergency lighting, smoke and CO alarms. Monitor expiry dates and arrange renewals before they lapse. Carry out regular audits, spot checks, and risk assessments.
• Tenancy, rent, and benefits: Set up tenancy agreements before move-in. Support residents (working with House Managers) to claim Universal Credit housing element and Council Tax exemptions. Monitor rent and service charge payments; work with Finance to resolve arrears.
• Property sourcing and growth: Source suitable new properties for placements. Build relationships with estate agents, landlords, and letting agencies. View, assess, and recommend properties for suitability for our client group.
• Stock, supplies, and oversight: Ensure all homes have cleaning supplies and consumables never running out. Produce weekly reports covering maintenance, compliance, risks, and property pipeline. Be the go-to person for House Managers across the portfolio.

What we're looking for

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience in supported living, housing, or facilities management (multi-site preferred).
• Strong working knowledge of property maintenance and statutory compliance (Gas, Electrical, Fire, Legionella).
• Practical understanding of tenancies, rent, and housing benefit / Universal Credit processes.
• Proven ability to manage multiple properties and competing priorities without losing control.
• Strong problem-solving, organisational, and contractor management skills.
• Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle (non-negotiable - this is a regional, field-based role).
• Right to work in the UK on a permanent basis without sponsorship.

Desirable:

• Experience working with autism, learning disabilities, or mental health client groups.
• Knowledge of CQC standards and supported living environments.
• Familiarity with exempt accommodation rules and supported housing benefit claims.
• IOSH, NEBOSH, or equivalent health & safety qualification.
• Experience working with local authority commissioners and housing teams.

What you'll get in return

• £38,000 - £40,000 salary depending on experience.
• Business mileage paid at HMRC rate.
• Mobile phone and laptop provided.
• A genuine seat at the table in a growing, ambitious organisation - your work directly drives the business's expansion.
• 28 days annual leave including bank holidays.
• Workplace pension scheme.
• Direct working relationship with the Co-CEOs and senior leadership team.
• The satisfaction of knowing your work creates safe, stable homes for some of the most vulnerable adults in our communities.

Who this role is NOT for

• This is not a desk-based or admin-only role - you will be on the road regularly.
• This is not a 9-to-5 with fixed routines - issues happen out of hours and you'll need to triage them.
• This is not a role where you wait to be told what to do - you'll set the agenda.
• This is not suitable for someone without a driving licence and own vehicle.
• We will not be sponsoring visas for this role.

Who this role IS for

• A Property Manager, Housing Officer, Facilities Manager, or Estate Manager ready to take full operational ownership across multiple sites.
• Someone from a supported living or care provider background who already understands the regulatory environment.
• A proactive problem-solver who would rather fix five things by Tuesday than email about them all week.
• Someone who lives within sensible reach of Sussex, Surrey, or Berkshire and is comfortable covering the patch.
• Someone who wants to grow with a business that is genuinely expanding and will reward ownership.

What success looks like in your first 6 months

• Every property is fully compliant, audit-ready, and well-maintained.
• A reliable, vetted contractor network is in place across all three counties.
• New properties are being set up on time, on budget, and ready for placement.
• Rent arrears are minimal and Universal Credit housing claims run smoothly.
• House Managers across the portfolio see you as their go-to problem solver.
• The Directors have full visibility through your weekly reports and no nasty surprises.

How to apply

Click Apply Now and submit your CV along with a short covering note (a paragraph is fine) telling us: The number of properties you've directly managed simultaneously, and across what area. Your statutory compliance experience (which checks you've personally owned). Why this role over a single-site or office-based property job. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to complete a short pre-screening questionnaire, followed by an interview at our Croydon head office which may include a scenario-based exercise reflecting the realities of the role. We review applications on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a strong volume of applicants - so please apply promptly.

Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse, inclusive workforce.