Head of Facilities Management

Wickes; Watford; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading home improvement retailer in the UK is seeking a Head of Facilities Management to shape and execute a robust facilities strategy. In this field-based role, you will lead a team, manage significant budgets, and ensure compliance across a diverse property portfolio. Ideal candidates will have substantial leadership experience in facilities management, data analysis skills, and a knack for improving processes through technology. Join a collaborative and inclusive environment, fostering growth and development.

Benefits

Car allowance

Competitive bonus

Private Medical and Life Assurance

Enhanced contributory pension scheme

Qualifications

• Significant experience in facilities or building services management.
• Proven track record of managing subcontractors across multiple sites.
• Experience in a fast-paced retail environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver maintenance and contract strategy for company properties.
• Manage an annual budget of £11.7m opex and £7.4m capex.
• Ensure operational compliance with property regulations.

Skills

Leadership in facilities management

Data analysis

Budget management

Communication skills

Knowledge of FM providers

Education

NEBOSH or IOSH qualification

Tools

CAFM

Job description

We’re looking for a Head of Facilities Management to join our Property team here at Wickes.

Our Head of Facilities Management is a critical role, you’ll be instrumental in shaping and delivering a best-in-class facilities management strategy across our multi-site portfolio. The portfolio is diverse, comprising 232 trading stores, our distribution centres and head office. We have a clear 5 year plan for reinvestment in our existing estate and for growth through new stores.

Reporting to the Head of Property, you’ll lead an internal team of 4 Facilities Managers, the third party maintenance team, manage subcontractor relationships, and ensure the highest standards of statutory compliance and building services performance.

This is a field-based role with regular travel across the UK and to our Support Centre in Watford.

What you’ll be doing:

Develop and deliver a robust third-party maintenance and contract strategy to complement in-house teams, covering planned preventative and reactive works across all company properties. Develop a 5 year strategy of planned investment based on data led insights from the estate and effective asset life cycle management.

Lead the transformation of the property database and the information we hold on file for our sites, creating a comprehensive dashboard view of trends, high-risk sites, and informing strategic decision-making around investment choices.

Work with the FM supplier to create detailed bottom-up annual budgets for planned and reactive maintenance, cleaning and landscaping services. Current budgetary accountability is set at £11.7m of opex spend and £7.4m of capex spend per annum. Periodically monitor performance against budget, identifying any opportunities or risks to the senior leadership team regularly. Oversee the creation and management of an annual PPM schedule of all sites, with scope agreed with all key stakeholders.

Ensure operational compliance with property regulations, providing strategic oversight and guidance to key stakeholders including any future legislative changes. Monitor and report on statutory compliance through inspections and desktop checks. Oversee the management of remedial works from inspections, ensuring timely completion within budget.

Oversee maintenance, cleaning and utilities services, working closely with procurement to lead subcontractor tenders, negotiations and performance reviews. Implement a contractor performance review framework including accreditation checks, insurance verification, and feedback processes. Conduct cost versus service evaluations to ensure a return on investment.

Build and maintain positive working relationships with all contractors and internal stakeholders. Provide regular updates with honesty and transparency to all key stakeholders.

What we’re looking for:

• You’ll have significant, proven experience in a leadership role within facilities or building services management, and be able to demonstrate managing subcontractors and compliance across multiple sites. A NEBOSH or IOSH qualification would be desirable. As well as this you’ll have:
• Experience in data analysis, reporting and use of CAFM
• Experience in improving FM processes through technology
• A proven track record of managing budgets, leading projects and empowering others to deliver results
• The ability to be a strategic thinker, and a good communicator
• Knowledge of legislative framework for occupation of operational commercial property within the UK
• Knowledge/ network of FM providers, contractors and subcontractors
• Experience of working within a face-paced retail environment with the ability to think big-picture; from assessing the current state to crafting and delivering a bold 5 year departmental strategy

What can we offer you?

You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us.

We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes:

• Car allowance
• Competitive bonus
• Save-as-you-earn scheme
• Private Medical and Life Assurance
• Enhanced contributory pension scheme
• Colleague discount
• Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme
• Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support.
• We recognise the value of bringing our teams together to collaborate, support each other and build on our amazing culture. We are also encouraging our teams to work flexibly, with a blend of remote / office working.

About Us:

Wickes is a multi-channel retailer operating in the home improvement market. With 50 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.6bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues.

But it is the Wickes’ culture that is considered its best kept secret; it’s a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.

Please contact us here if you require any adjustments within the application process. If you require any reasonable adjustments at the interview stage you will have an opportunity to inform us when we invite you to interview. Please note, this link is only for reasonable adjustments required - general enquiries, or direct CV applications cannot be accepted via this form