HEO - Compliance Advisor

The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than 2.1 billion in property assets and over 55% of the governments office estate.

We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers. And we are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team.

Representing the best covenant in the UK His Majestys Government we are leading significant transformational programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme. We are also delivering cost- effective property services such as asset management, lifecycle replacement and workplace services.

Innovation and progress underpin our behaviours. We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged. Our four core values are at the heart of everything we do. They shape our culture and guide how we work, lead and grow together:

• Striving for excellence- We always aim to deliver great results
• Empowering through respect- We insist on fair treatment for all, always
• Acting with integrity- We consistently do the right thing
• Succeeding together- We rely on each other to achieve success

We are committed to representing the communities we serve by making Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) part of everything we do. Our strong emphasis on EDI is not just about driving inclusion across our organisation, it is also about ensuring our services meet the needs of government departments and the civil servants who use our spaces. To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kickstarting economic growth. We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction.

Purpose and Scope

The key purpose of the Compliance Advisor role is to ensure effective management arrangements for GPA FM Audit and Assurance programme across the estate. The post holder will be part of initially small team of discipline specific managers.

The Compliance Advisor will:

• Develop and Manage the GPA Operations FM Audit and Assurance Plan to ensure that the GPA monitors its statutory obligations, enabling safe working environments for GPA clients, occupiers.
• Develop and Manage the GPA Operations FM Audit and Assurance Plan to ensure that the GPA monitors GPA FM Suppliers, Landlords, and Managing Agents/Other Government Departments contractual requirements for the estate.
• Manage Audit Non-conformances with FM Suppliers to ensure a timely close out of actions.
• Promote and develop partnering audits and the use of FM Supplier audits to provide statutory compliance assurance across the estate.

External Influence

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with key supplier contacts, managing the relationship at a service delivery level.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with clients across all relevant clusters.

Risk Management

• Contribute to the Operations and Contract Risk Registers.
• Support the FM regional managers to carry out audits, resolve key risks, taking ownership for risk mitigation where appropriate.
• Ensure that the need for expert advice is identified appropriately.

Key Responsibilities

Manage the Assurance Team FM Audit and Assurance Plan.

Carry out FM Audit and Assurance activities across the GPA estate and provide support to other audit team members as required.

Manage the FM Audit and Assurance Non-conformance Register with GPA colleagues, FM Suppliers and Clients. Where required, escalate outstanding Non-conformances to the Assurance Lead to assist in resolution.

Support the development and management of a reporting template with Assurance Team colleagues to be submitted in accordance with the GPA Operations FM Audit and Assurance Procedure.

Where required, manage non-conformance remediation meetings with FM Suppliers, Landlords and Other Government Departments with the support of Assurance Team Colleagues.

Where required participate in various training and development programs to up-skill FM staff to perform audit and assurance in accordance with the GPA Operations Audit and Assurance Procedure.

Maintain knowledge on all required regulations and design required training programs for compliance procedures and inspect all activities.

Manage and track all emerging standards and perform audit according to standard and organise all internal and external resources for audits.

Work closely with FM regional managers to ensure FM Audits are effectively carried out across the estate.

Work with clients and FM regional managers to develop their understanding of their own roles and responsibilities relating to Audit, ensuring no gaps.

Contribute to the development of the GPA FM Strategy where relevant.

Review of current arrangements and systems, providing recommendations for streamlined process and solutions to any identified gaps.

Undertake any other reasonable tasks in consultation with the Head of Compliance.

We are looking for an individual with previous Facilities Management experience. The individual should be able to work autonomously and contribute to team decision making, report issues and escalate as necessary.

We are in need of an individual that has good communication skills and can adapt personal approach when speaking with different stakeholders. We must reach all deadlines without delay so time management is a key skill for this role, with the capability of identifying potential issues and the ability to change course of action at short notice.

We are a close team and work together most days to achieve our purpose at the GPA so working well within is important. The role is mainly desk based but the ability to travel multiple times a month is necessary.

Experience & Technical Skills

Essential criteria:

• Client Focus ability to interpret and understand business needs of clients in order to build positive relationships.
• Team working working collaboratively in a positive manner to build trust and rapport across the GPA.
• Communication & Influence ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to gain support for initiatives and to enable solution implementation.
• Ability to work autonomously, prioritising tasks effectively in order to meet deadlines (both internal and external) and communicating progress wherever necessary.
• Conversant and competent in management of clients and contractors.
• Commitment to continuous improvement.
• Conversant with IT systems and the ability to analyse Management Information to inform decision-making.
• Practical experience in negotiation skills that have achieved positive outcomes.

Desirable criteria:

• Experience of working in a multi-client service organisation in a relevant field.
• Track record of maintaining continuous learning through CPD.
• Experience of dealing with contractors and client side relationships in a multi-client environment.
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional service delivery in a similar working environment.
• Ability to think strategically/analytically.

Qualifications and Accreditations

Essential criteria:

• Hold CIWFM membership, or be willing to work towards.

Desirable criteria:

• IOSH Health and Safety
• NEBOSH Health and Safety