Assistant Facilities Operations Manager

Are you a dynamic Facilities Management professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, loves leading high-performing teams, and takes pride in delivering exceptional service?

At City St George's, University of London, we're looking for an ambitious and customer-focused Assistant Facilities Operations Manager to help shape the daily experience of thousands of students, staff, visitors and partners across our vibrant Clerkenwell and Moorgate campuses.

This is not a traditional FM role.

This is an opportunity to become a visible operational leader at the heart of a world-class university, influencing the quality, effectiveness and continuous improvement of facilities services that support teaching, learning, research and innovation every single day.

If you're passionate about people, service excellence, operational performance and creating outstanding environments, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

As Assistant Facilities Operations Manager, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, customer-focused Facilities Management services across multiple campus locations.

Working within our Estates, Environment and Facilities team, you'll provide operational leadership across a diverse range of Soft FM services including:

• Front of House and Reception Services
• Portering and Site Services
• Cleaning and Environmental Services
• Waste Management
• Grounds Maintenance
• Catering Services
• Contractor and Supplier Management
• Campus Operations and Events Support

You will lead teams, manage key service contracts, engage directly with senior stakeholders and drive operational excellence, ensuring our campuses remain safe, welcoming, compliant and fit for the future.

As a key member of the management team, you'll deputise for the Facilities Operations Manager when required and participate in a Duty Manager rota, making critical operational decisions that keep the University running smoothly.

What You'll Be Doing

Leading High-Performing Teams

You'll inspire, coach and develop Facilities staff to consistently deliver exceptional standards of service while creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Driving Operational Excellence

You'll oversee day-to-day facilities operations, monitor service delivery, conduct inspections and audits, and ensure services consistently exceed expectations.

Building Strong Relationships

You'll be the trusted point of contact for stakeholders across academic and professional services departments, developing strong partnerships and proactively responding to operational needs.

Managing Contractors and Service Partners

You'll hold suppliers accountable for performance, manage KPIs and SLAs, lead review meetings and identify opportunities to improve quality, efficiency and value for money.

Making Things Better

You'll continuously seek out opportunities to improve services, introduce innovation, streamline processes and enhance the campus experience.

Protecting Compliance and Safety

You'll champion health, safety and regulatory compliance, ensuring the highest standards are maintained across all facilities operations.

We're Looking For Someone Who...

• Is a confident and visible leader who inspires trust and motivates others
• Has a passion for delivering exceptional customer service and creating first-class user experiences
• Leads by example and holds themselves and others to high standards
• Thrives in a fast-moving operational environment
• Is self-motivated, resilient and highly organised
• Builds strong relationships quickly and communicates effectively with people at all levels
• Has outstanding stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Can balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational delivery
• Uses initiative, sound judgement and calm decision-making under pressure
• Is commercially aware and understands how to deliver value for money
• Has experience managing contracts, suppliers, budgets and performance
• Is passionate about developing people and building high-performing teams
• Embraces innovation, continuous improvement and new ways of working

Essential Experience & Skills

• Experience managing Facilities Management or Soft FM services within a complex operational environment
• Proven people management experience including performance management, absence management, coaching and staff development
• Strong contract management experience, including SLA and KPI monitoring
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills
• Experience managing budgets and delivering services within financial constraints
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to changing operational demands
• Commitment to delivering high-quality, customer-focused services
• Experience of working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and service users

Why Join City St George's?

At City St George's, you'll be part of a university that is ambitious, inclusive and committed to excellence.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Make a visible impact across multiple London campuses
• Work with talented and committed colleagues
• Lead meaningful service improvements
• Influence the student and staff experience every day
• Develop professionally within a large and complex estate
• Be part of a culture built around our values: We Care. We Learn. We Act.

Ready to Make Your Mark?

If you're an energetic Facilities professional with a passion for leadership, service excellence and operational performance, this is your opportunity to help shape the future of one of London's leading universities.

Join City St George's and help create exceptional places where people can learn, work and thrive.

Apply today.

Closing date for applications: 4th November 2026 at 11:59pm

Interviews are scheduled to take place on: TBC

The selection process will involve an interview and a presentation. Further details will be confirmed at the interview stage. [If the selection process will include a presentation or test, please provide details and be prepared to accommodate any reasonable requests for candidates with a declared disability or who are making an application under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme].

City St George’s offers a sector-leading salary, pension scheme and benefits including a comprehensive package of staff training and development.

City St George’s, University of London is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all its activities, processes, and culture for our whole community, including staff, students and visitors.

We welcome applications regardless of age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital status, nationality, pregnancy, race and ethnic origin, religion and belief, sex, sexual orientation and socio-economic background. City St George’s operates a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants.

For additional information on City St George's, our policies, strategy and values; Click here

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