Facilities Manager - Universities

The Building Manager will take full ownership of a high-profile Central London campus, delivering best-in-class facilities services while managing contractors, compliance, and day-to-day operations. This is a highly visible, front-facing role requiring strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and a proactive approach to maintaining a safe, high-quality environment for students and staff.

Client Details

This opportunity sits within a well-established facilities and property services organisation delivering services to a leading higher education provider in London. Operating as the service partner to a flagship campus near Liverpool Street, the organisation plays a critical role in maintaining a safe, compliant, and high-performing learning environment.

The campus is a prestigious, high-profile site accommodating (Apply online only) students and housing senior leadership, including executive-level stakeholders. As such, expectations around service delivery, presentation, and operational standards are exceptionally high.

The Building Manager (Facilities Manager) will take full ownership of the site, ensuring all facilities services are delivered effectively through a range of outsourced contractors. This role is central to creating a professional, safe, and engaging environment that supports both staff and students.

This is an excellent opportunity for a confident and personable FM professional who thrives in a front-facing role, enjoys stakeholder interaction, and is motivated to take full ownership of a flagship building.

Description

Take full operational responsibility for a flagship education campus in Moorgate, ensuring a clean, safe, and well-maintained environment
Lead the delivery of all facilities management services across the building, with a focus on service quality and user experience
Act as the primary point of contact for the Campus Director and senior stakeholders, building strong relationships based on trust and performance
Manage all outsourced soft service contractors including cleaning, security, and waste management
Oversee hard services provision, including planned preventative maintenance (PPM), reactive works, and asset functionality (e.g. lifts and critical systems)
Ensure all statutory compliance and health & safety requirements are met and maintained to a high standard
Lead and manage on-site teams, including two Facilities Coordinators and two direct reports (support roles transitioning into FM career pathways)
Motivate, develop, and support teams, fostering a positive and high-performing culture
Challenge underperformance constructively and escalate issues where necessary
Proactively manage escalations, resolving issues efficiently while maintaining strong stakeholder confidence
Oversee contractor performance, particularly during mobilisation phases (e.g. upcoming cleaning and security contracts), ensuring improved service outcomes
Identify opportunities for service improvement and capital works, contributing to long-term site performance
Maintain a highly visible presence on-site, engaging regularly with stakeholders and campus users
Support a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement across all aspects of FM delivery
Ensure the campus environment supports an exceptional educational experience for studentsProfile

Minimum 2-3 years' experience in a Facilities or Building Manager role
Strong experience managing FM services within a customer-facing, high-profile environment (education, high-end office, hospitality, or similar)
Proven ability to manage contractors effectively and drive service improvements
Confident and professional communicator with excellent stakeholder engagement skills
Strong leadership and people management capability, with the ability to motivate and develop teams
Experience managing escalations and maintaining high levels of client satisfaction
Good understanding of health & safety and statutory compliance within FM
Highly proactive, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability
Personable, presentable, and able to operate effectively in a visible, front-facing role
Culturally aligned with a collaborative, respectful, and service-driven environmentDesirable

Experience within higher education or student-focused environments
Background in hospitality or premium service environmentsJob Offer

c. £50k
Opportunity to manage a flagship, high-profile London campus
Excellent exposure to senior stakeholders and a dynamic working environment
Clear opportunity to take ownership and make a visible impact
Supportive team structure with development opportunities