Soft Services Manager

Equans is looking for a Soft Services Manager to join our team on a permanent basis. This is a full-time role working 37.5 hours per week. On offer is a competitive salary, company vehicle or allowance, bonus and benefits package.

This is a national role, travel is required.

Reporting to the Operations Director, the Soft Services SME will lead on ensuring a consistent approach is applied to the delivery of Soft Services across the contract, through the design and continuous improvement of the soft services delivery programme. The role will be responsible for the development of the business case and to support the Regional Teams to meet contract deliverables and achieve SLA’s. As the main point of contact for HMCTS Head of Soft Services, they will ensure effective business relationships are established and maintained with all key stakeholders, customers, partners, contractors and other third parties to deliver first class services.

The post holder plays a critical part in interacting with and supporting the Regional Management teams to ensure successful delivery of Soft Services across the estate, management of the supply chain including grounds maintenance and be the SME for driving improvements in productivity and quality.

The post holder will lead the design and delivery of soft services, inclusive of the management of the performance of the national soft services contract as well as subcontractors totalling £4 million across the following activities:

• Reactive Cleaning
• Integral barrier Mats
• External Window Cleaning
• Internal Window Cleaning
• Pest Control
• Gutter Cleaning
• Snow & Ice Clearance
• Grounds Maintenance Services
• Tree Maintenance & Surgery
• Waste

What will you deliver?

• Report to the senior leadership team on a monthly basis on a programme of improvement in soft services
• Support the wider ETS South business with soft services improvements
• Chair a network of soft services individuals for cross fertilisation of soft services innovations
• Engaging with the operational team and other stakeholders in a proactive manner in order to lead the management of the National Soft Services contract made up of over 1200 staff
• Lead and finalise a proposal to deliver mobile cleaning teams in support of covering absence within each region, in addition to reviewing cleaning equipment, bins and cleaning hours
• Deliver a development strategy of BICS Level 1 training programme across the contract
• Liaise with Waste sub-contractors to develop waste minimisation plans and reduction of waste to landfill and report to senior management
• Provide a client facing training programme for waste minimisation
• Support the Energy Manager in the creation and management of the Sustainability Management plan, identifying opportunities with the supply chain
• Update and develop cleaning task cards
• Develop the use of Ezi-tracker and support the Soft Services Co-ordinator to improve exceptions with Facilities Supervisors
• Monitor financial performance against the budgets for consumables and materials at site level
• Identify requirements for cleaning equipment, support the Procurement Manager on governance approval and manage subsequent roll out
• Undertake routine audits of self-delivery and subcontracted performance
• Support bid & tender exercises for additional work
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement
• Act as the social value champion for the contract
• Build effective relationships with Equans subject matter experts to achieve synergies across contract boundaries
• Manage client relationships

What can we offer you?

On offer is a competitive salary, car or car allowance, bonus and benefits package, which includes;

• 25 days annual leave (+ public holidays)
• Life Cover equivalent to 2 times annual salary
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts 
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Holiday purchase scheme
• 2 corporate social responsibility days per year
• Broad range of learning opportunities, such as professional qualifications, collective/individual training, and personalized support programmes
• Attractive Employee Referral Rewards Scheme
• Access to our growing employee networks including AccessAbility (representing those with physical and mental disabilities), Encompass (representing the LGBTQ+ community), RISE (representing people from ethnic backgrounds), WOMEN TOGETHER (representing women in Equans), Working Parents, and Young Professionals.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app

Who are we looking for?

• Degree in Facilities Management, Business, Engineering or other relevant degree
• BICS – Assessor and up to level three
• Demonstrate effective Customer Relationship Management through excellent communication skills, and the ability to communicate effectively including presentation skills, and interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication skills for reporting internally
• Experienced Soft Services/Facilities Management Practitioner with previous experience working on Cleaning Quality standards and processes
• Experience of managing large multi-site soft service contracts, with cleaning subject matter expertise
• Demonstrable experience of dealing with clients and stakeholders and be able to work effectively in a high-pressure environment
• Commercial and financial awareness with proven knowledge of budgetary control
• Understanding of internal / external stakeholders & partners and their requirements
• Excellent motivation and influencing skills with a proactive approach
• Ability to plan, prioritise and allocate work
• Self-disciplined and able to work on own initiative
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work
• Preferably Ezi-tracker experience, however job specific training can be provided

Who are we?

Equans is a world leader in energy services with nearly 100,000 employees working in more than 50 countries, with an annual turnover of over 17 billion euros.  

In the UK & Ireland, Equans is a provider of technical, FM, regeneration and energy services – with specialist capabilities in smart buildings, green mobility, district & embedded energy and decentralised renewables.

Equans’ 13,500 UK & Ireland employees combine these activities to help businesses, public sector organisations and government to embrace the energy transition towards net zero, and also the digital & industrial transitions that are redesigning the way we move, work and live.

Equans is a Bouygues group company.

What’s next?

If this role is of interest to you, please click below to register, apply, and track your progress! A member of our Resourcing Team will review your application and be in touch. 

As part our commitment to better reflect the markets within which we operate, we encourage applications from women, ethnically diverse individuals and people with disabilities, along with all candidates who identify with protected characteristic groups under the Equality Act 2010. 

At Equans we’re committed to delivering a culture where everyone’s voice is heard and supported. We know the value a diverse workforce creates, delivering better results for our people, customers, and stakeholders. Diversity and inclusion is at the core of what we do, should you join Equans you’ll find a welcoming and open workplace where you’re supported and encouraged to be your true self at work. 

You’ll also have access to our growing employee networks including AccessAbility (representing those with physical and mental disabilities), Encompass (representing the LGBTQ+ community), RISE (representing people from ethnic backgrounds), WOMEN TOGETHER (representing women in Equans), Working Parents, and Young Professionals.

For this role, you must have evidence of the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer a re-location package with this job role.  Certain roles may require applicants to undergo a Disclosure check, as noted in the role requirements.

The Equans Resourcing Team supports this job advert. Agency involvement is not required. All related enquiries must come to the resourcing team not direct to Equans Managers.