Deputy Head of Estates

Sodexo Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job description

Location: Manchester Royal Infirmary – Oxford Road Campus Employer: Sodexo Health and Care

Are you a driven and experienced Estates professional looking to take the next step in your leadership career? Sodexo Health and Care is seeking a Deputy Head of Estates to join our senior leadership team within the Hard FM Estates function at Manchester University Foundation NHS Trust. This critical role is central to the operational performance and compliance of the Oxford Road PFI Campus.

Working closely with the Head of Estates, you’ll lead a large multi-disciplinary team and play a key role in delivering safe, efficient, and compliant Operations & Maintenance services—supporting outstanding patient care in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

What You’ll Do

1. Lead, manage, and develop a team of 80+ engineers and 60 subcontractors to deliver Planned, Reactive, and Corrective maintenance.
2. Maintain statutory compliance by ensuring all HTM certifications and Authorised/Competent Person appointments are current and audited.
3. Drive delivery of maintenance strategies aligned with asset data, OEM standards, and industry best practice.
4. Oversee departmental training, succession planning, and Learning & Development programmes.
5. Ensure operational continuity through robust emergency preparedness and risk management processes.
6. Collaborate with Trust partners and stakeholders to align estates support with clinical needs.
7. Manage budgets, oversee stock availability, and support commercial and financial performance targets.
8. Champion health & safety, compliance, and environmental performance across all estate’s operations.

What You’ll Bring

1. A BSc in Engineering or equivalent experience with strong technical and scientific understanding.
2. Substantial experience in Estates or Facilities Management, ideally within a PFI and healthcare setting.
3. Current or previous Authorised Person certification and experience managing AP/CP models.
4. Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, including managing complex conversations.
5. Proven track record of leading large teams in high-pressure, regulated environments.
6. Expertise in Health & Safety legislation and healthcare engineering systems.
7. Strong digital literacy, including knowledge of BMS and CAFM systems (e.g. Maximo/EZMax).
8. A dynamic, flexible approach with strong problem-solving, leadership, and continuous improvement mindset.

What we offer

Working with Sodexo is more than just a job. You'll be part of a company that values you and provides opportunities to act with purpose and thrive.

We offer a competitive salary plus access to a range of excellent benefits, including:

• Bonus up to 15%
• Employer pension contribution
• Life assurance – 1 x annual salary.

For more information on all the great benefits Sodexo offers to support you and your loved ones, check out the attached Benefits Guide at the bottom of this advert!

Join Sodexo, a global leader in services that improve quality of life and take your career to the next level in a dynamic and impactful role.

Lead with empathy. Belong in Health and Care.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.