Director of Maintenance

Born in the 60s with a mindset of boldness, imagination and collaboration, the University of Warwick is a world-leading research-intensive university with the highest academic and research standards. We’re one of the world’s top universities, ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK*, with 92% of our research assessed to be ‘world leading or internationally excellent’**.

*QS World University Rankings 2024 ** Research Excellence Framework 2021.

We are now shaping our approach to our place and environment in a new, exciting way and the role of Director of Maintenance is a key part of that approach. Our talented staff and students will be our priority and must feel secure and be well supported, whatever their background. Studying, working and partnering with Warwick will be built on an exceptional experience, place and quality of life, with soft boundaries between campus life and that of our neighbours with easier and more sustainable commuting and travel, and ready access to training and development, wellbeing services, sport and culture.

As the Director of Maintenance you will be responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of maintenance services for the Estates department at the University of Warwick. As a top UK and global University Warwick relies on well maintained and operationally resilient facilities, which are fundamental to the overall student and staff experience. Increasing customer expectations and more demand for increased value mean that the operational effectiveness of the Estate is fundamental, and this role will set the direction for achieving exemplary future asset management and service delivery at the University.

The Director of Maintenance will be responsible for setting our operational asset management strategy, leading a diverse operational team (including both direct labor and subcontracted staff) and taking full accountability for delivering operational excellence within budgets, whilst providing an exceptional service experience.  As such you will be ultimately accountable for ensuring that senior managers leading wide-ranging operational teams (including asset information & engineering maintenance) deliver an agile, operationally efficient, and service-focused function that is regulatory compliant and benchmarked as best in class.

With expert knowledge of estates maintenance and trends, you will act as a visionary to improve, agree and lead the implementation of the maintenance strategy for the Estates Department.  You will rigorously ensure focus is on improving service and performance across the department, particularly in the areas of customer service, quality, compliance, operational effectiveness, and the resilience of critical infrastructure, including hard FM elements of outdoor spaces (pathways, drainage systems, irrigation).

Overall you will work in close partnership with the Estates senior leadership team, to develop and implement the overarching Estates strategy and masterplan to enable and support the university strategy and core purpose.

The role will require a resilient, and continuous improvement orientated leader, able to impart pace and new ways of working within a union environment. This will include cultural change in line with the vision and values of the department and University, in particular ensuring inclusion, diversity and equality.

For the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click click here.

To find a complete outline of the role and wider context please click here.

Benefits

• 30 days of paid annual leave, four shut down days at Christmas, and eight bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme
• Staff training
• Free eye care vouchers
• Preferred rates for a dental plan
• Discounts at Warwick Arts Centre and Warwick Sport Membership
• Enrolment onto the Employee Assistance Programme, a complete support network that offers expert advice and guidance 24/7

How to apply

The University of Warwick has appointed SearchHigher as their recruitment partner for this campaign; please apply above by submitting a CV & Cover Letter in Word Document format or via email to enquiries@searchhigher.com

For a confidential conversation about the position, call Nick Brian on 07368 380888.

Closing date for applications: Friday 31^st January 2025

Interviews will be held:  14^th February 2025