At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and stabilise cleaning services for a large operational team.
- Company: Join a dynamic organisation focused on public-facing contracts.
- Benefits: Opportunity for extension and immediate impact in your role.
- Other info: Hands-on role with potential for career growth in a structured setting.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a challenging environment with visible leadership.
- Qualifications: Proven experience managing large teams and strong cleaning management skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are supporting a large, complex public-facing contract in the appointment of an Interim Soft Services Manager to stabilise and strengthen cleaning-led soft services over an initial 3-month period, with potential for extension. This assignment will suit a highly experienced Soft FM / Cleaning Manager who can step into a challenging operational environment, quickly establish control, and provide calm, credible leadership to a sizeable frontline workforce.
The Interim Soft Services Manager will take responsibility for the day-to-day performance and leadership of cleaning-led soft services, supported by porterage and security teams, on a busy, multi-shift site. The role has a clear stabilisation focus, including:
- Restoring consistency across cleaning standards and routines
- Improving operational grip and supervisor effectiveness
- Ensuring services are delivered in line with contractual requirements
- Supporting senior leadership during a period of transition
This is a hands-on role, requiring strong on-site presence and the ability to engage confidently with frontline teams and senior stakeholders alike.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide operational leadership across cleaning-led soft FM services on a large site
- Lead, motivate and manage a workforce of c.100+ staff across multiple shifts
- Stabilise cleaning standards, productivity and attendance
- Ensure services are delivered in line with SLAs, KPIs and statutory requirements
- Act as a point of escalation for operational issues and service risk
- Maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and service users
- Oversee rotas, timesheets, payroll inputs and workforce systems
- Manage absence, ER issues and workforce performance firmly and fairly
- Ensure compliance with health & safety, COSHH and method statements
Required Experience & Skills
Essential
- Strong, hands-on cleaning management experience in a large, complex environment
- Proven experience managing large operational teams (100+ staff)
- Demonstrable capability in stabilising services under pressure
- Strong knowledge of cleaning standards, audits, staffing models and productivity
- Confident people manager with solid ER and absence management experience
- IOSH Managing Safely (or equivalent)
Desirable
- Experience overseeing additional soft services (e.g. security or porterage)
- Background in interim, contract or turnaround-focused roles
- Experience working in regulated or customer-critical environments
Note: Direct hospital or NHS experience is not essential. Strong cleaning leadership in any large, structured environment is the key requirement.
Why This Assignment Will Appeal
- Clear, time-bound stabilisation brief
- Visible leadership role with real operational responsibility
- Opportunity to make immediate, measurable impact
- Potential to extend beyond the initial term
If you are an experienced Soft FM or Cleaning Manager with the availability and appetite for an interim stabilisation assignment, we would welcome a conversation.
Interim Soft FM Manager employer: Whitestone Resourcing Limited
As an Interim Soft FM Manager, you will join a dynamic and supportive environment where your leadership will directly influence the performance of a large operational team. The company prioritises employee growth through hands-on experience in a challenging yet rewarding role, offering opportunities to make a significant impact while working alongside dedicated professionals in a public-facing contract. With a focus on stabilisation and improvement, this position allows for meaningful contributions to service delivery and team morale in a vibrant, multi-shift setting.
Contact Details:
Whitestone Resourcing Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Soft FM Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the cleaning and facilities management sectors. Let them know you're on the lookout for interim roles. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities that aren't advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your operational leadership skills. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've stabilised services and improved standards in previous roles. Confidence is key, so practice makes perfect!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your ability to manage large teams and maintain high cleaning standards under pressure. They want to see that you can hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that could be perfect for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Let's land that job together!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Soft FM Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience in managing large operational teams and stabilising services. Use keywords from the job description to show we’re on the same page!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share specific examples of how you've successfully led cleaning services in complex environments. Let us see your leadership style and how you can make an impact.
Showcase Your Hands-On Experience:We want to know about your hands-on approach! Mention any relevant experience where you’ve directly engaged with frontline teams and improved cleaning standards. This will help us understand your operational grip.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Whitestone Resourcing Limited
✨Know Your Cleaning Standards
Make sure you brush up on the latest cleaning standards and best practices. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these in previous roles, especially in large operational environments. This will show your expertise and readiness to stabilise services.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led large teams, particularly in challenging situations. Highlight your ability to motivate staff and manage performance effectively, as this role requires strong leadership to engage a sizeable frontline workforce.
✨Understand the Contractual Requirements
Familiarise yourself with typical SLAs and KPIs relevant to soft FM services. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance with these in past roles, as this will be crucial for delivering services in line with contractual obligations.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've built relationships with internal stakeholders and service users in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've navigated operational issues and maintained strong communication, as this will be key in a public-facing contract.
