Deputy Head of Facilities
- NHS
- Full Time
- Sunderland
- 57385.00 - 62132.00 a year

Job Description
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified and experienced Deputy Head of Facilities in CHoICE. The post holder will be responsible for supporting and deputising for the Head of Facilities in Soft Facilities, in a busy and vibrant Soft FM team delivering services across Sunderland, South Tyneside and beyond.
Ensuring the safe, effective, and compliant Soft FM services for CHoICE, its customers, its staff, patients, and visitors, fully in line with all legislative requirements and guidance, the post holder will have leadership responsibility for managing and delivering all facilities services (Soft FM) through a combination of in-house teams and contracted-out services.
The role requires specialist, in depth knowledge the Soft FM Services including (but not limited to) Domestic Services, Catering, Linen, Portering, Security and Transport leading the service delivery strategy as well as expanding CHoICEs commercial business opportunities.
This post would be suitable for an experienced, motivated, and professional individual with a proven track record of working with the Soft FM environment and with strong interpersonal and team-working skills to provide leadership to large team.
Main duties of the job
Knowledge and experience of working across a number of different Soft FM functions, with a range of complex and sensitive procedures and practice relating to the provision of the managed services.
Knowledge and ability to interpret statutory requirements, in relation to cleaning, security, environment, and food safety and assist the Head of Facilities in the formulation of policies.
You will provide support and advice to the Head of Facilities on all Soft Facilities issues and attend meetings on behalf of the Head of Facilities.
Proven leadership skills with advanced theoretical knowledge of a full range of Soft Facilities services.
Evidence of extensive successful senior management experience in a complex organisation.
Knowledge and experience of a wide range of management disciplines, including finance, people management, commissioning, risk management, performance management, service improvement and change management.
Experience of managing multi-stranded situations where there may be conflicts of opinions involving a wide range of stakeholders.
Strong analytical skills; literacy IT and numeracy skills with the ability to produce a range of documents and presentations for a wide variety of audiences with regular attendance at executive level meetings.
Personal resilience and ability to prioritise work in a complex multi-site environment and meet challenging deadlines through effective time/workload management.
About us
Please help us by adding your telephone number to your application form this will allow us to contact you quickly if required.
City Hospitals Independent Commercial Enterprises Ltd (CHoICE - trading since 2014) is a wholly owned subsidiary company of South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT). Based at Sunderland Royal Hospital, providing a full range of Facilities Management, Procurement and Outpatient Pharmacy services. We employ around 650 staff in a wide range of functions, ranging from cleaners, porters, engineers, procurement specialists and pharmacists.
Commitment, Care and Compassion- our Team contribute to the overall hospital environment, providing safe, secure and comfortable facilities for access by patients, staff and visitors. CHoICE is an exciting place to work that will provide you with an opportunity to grow and develop. Many of our staff work flexibly, including part-time and we are committed to offering flexible approaches to work where possible. We provide a range of benefits including Fitness Centre (SRH), cycle to work scheme and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.
We welcome all applications regardless of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under-represented groups.
Note we will not accept applications found to be AI generated.
Job responsibilities
PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE
The postholder is responsible for supporting and deputising for the Head of Facilities, to ensure a high quality and cost-effective service, by providing management and leadership to all Soft Facilities services.
The postholder must have highly specialised knowledge across several different functions, and on a full range of complex and sensitive procedures and practice relating to the provision of the managed services. As well as having the knowledge and ability to interpret statutory requirements, in relation to cleaning, security, environment, food safety and to assist the Head of Facilities in the formulation of policies. The postholder will provide support and advice to the Head of Facilities on all soft facilities issues and attend meetings on behalf of the Head of Facilities.
Person Specification
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Specialist advanced knowledge of Mandatory and Statutory Regulations relating to Facilities services, including PLACE, Food Safety and Security Budget Management
- Ability and high degree of skill to communicate and engage with individuals at all levels both within the Trust and across partner organisations.
- Must be able to think and operate at a strategic level to contribute effectively to long term improvements
- Ability to prioritise own and work of the team effectively
- Must have the ability to delegate yet control the workload and be able to motivate a multi-disciplined workforce by strong leadership.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- Proven ability and skill to analyse, interpret and present complex data and build business cases supported by clear evidence.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Presentational skills and ability to speak to large audience
Physical Skills
Essential
- Travel between sites is required.
- Advanced keyboard skills - physical skills/hand-eye coordination to accurately and proficiently use a computer keyboard when manipulating data or preparing reports
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Degree level in Facilities/Hotel Services or demonstrate significant/extensive experience in senior Facilities management
- Membership of an NHS Association in Facilities Managements (or equivalent)
Desirable
- Advanced certificates in food & general hygiene, and or safety & security
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrate significant/extensive relevant experience at a Senior level in a large complex organisation (preferably NHS) with evidence of managing large groups of staff
- Experience of managing and budgets
- Experience of a wide range of Soft Facilities services
- Demonstrate experience of managing and leading large staff groups across multiple sites and services.
- Experience of managing complex change management projects
Desirable
- Working across a range of organisations / agencies to deliver projects / work
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
City Hospitals Independent Commercial Enterprises Ltd (CHoICE)
Address
Sunderland Royal Hospital
Kayll Road
Sunderland
SR4 7TP