Head of Soft FM

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South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We deliver specialist services in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Wandsworth and Richmond.

We are committed to provide a high quality and specialist care to our service users and we are recognised for our care and treatment we provide. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good'.

We launched our five-year strategy, Aiming High; Changing Lives in 2021 together with Our Care Improvement System as our quality management system methodology to make a positive impact on patient care, outcomes and staff experience. By joining SLaM, all staff will get the opportunity to be part of this exciting improvement journey supported with learning and development to harness everyone's potential as change makers.

The trust recognises the unique and valuable contribution that people with lived experience of mental illness can bring to a role. We therefore welcome applications from people with lived experience and consider them as an asset to the Trust.

Our Values

We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values and our promise to be caring, kind, polite, prompt, honest, listen and do what I say I'm going to do is at the heart of everything we do. When you join us, you'll be part of something special.

As a Trust we are happy to talk flexible working.

Job overview

An exciting full-time, permanent leadership opportunity has arisen within South London and Maudsley's Capital Estates and Facilities Directorate. This role is focused on delivering high-quality FM services that support outstanding mental healthcare across our Trust sites, ensuring our services are safe, efficient, and aligned with the Trust's strategic priorities.

About the role:
• This is a key leadership position within the Capital Estates and Facilities department, reporting directly to the Director of Estates and Facilities. As the Head of Soft FM, you will have the opportunity to lead and influence the delivery of essential support services across the Trust, contributing to a safe and positive environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
• The role involves a mix of strategic leadership and hands-on operational management. You will oversee a range of Facilities Management services, including Catering, Portering, Housekeeping, Transport, Waste, and Residential Accommodation
• We are seeking an inclusive, values-driven leader with a proven track record in Facilities Management who is passionate about service improvement, innovation, and sustainability. Your leadership will be key to improving service quality and ensuring compliance with national standards and Trust guidelines.

Main duties of the job

As the Head of Soft FM, you will:
• Lead the development and implementation of an operational service plan, focusing on service improvement, innovation, and efficiency.
• Strategic lead for the Catering and Domestic contracts and ensuring good and safe quality for the Trust and value for money
• Oversee the operational delivery of all FM services, ensuring they meet high standards of quality, safety, and efficiency.
• Develop and maintain efficient systems, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with clinical teams, ward matrons, and stakeholders to provide the best possible services to patients and support the Trust's strategic goals.
• Monitor and report on service performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement action plans to enhance service delivery.
• Act as a deputy budget holder for Facilities budgets, manage financial planning, and support the development of the annual capital programme.
• Ensure robust compliance with health and safety regulations, including Infection Control, Hygiene Code, Food Safety Laws, COSHH, and Environmental Protection.
• Lead a diverse team of Facilities Managers, supporting their professional development and encouraging an inclusive, high-performance culture.

Working for our organisation

At South London and Maudsley, we are committed to fostering an environment where leadership, innovation, and collaboration are encouraged. We value the development of our staff and offer access to a range of professional learning opportunities. There is an extensive range of excellent benefits for you and your family. It's important to us that you are valued and appreciated and that is why we have a comprehensive benefits package on offer

Some of our benefits are highlighted here:
• Generous pay, pensions and leave, we offer a comprehensive pay, pensions and leave package, which is dependent on the role and length of service.
• Work life balance, flexible working and support with a range of flexible options, such as: part-time working and job sharing.
• Career development, there are plenty of opportunities to progress your career and we support your development through a number of programmes such as mentoring, coaching, positive people management, collective leadership and other talent programmes
• Car lease, our staff benefits from competitive deals to lease cars
• Accommodation, our staff benefits fromkeyworker housing available which is available on selected sites
• NHS discounts, with discounts up to 10% from a variety of well-known retail brands though Health Service Discounts website.

For a full list of our benefits please visit: https://www.slam.nhs.uk/media/421262/Working%20at%20SLaM.pdf

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please, see attached JD and person specification for Head of FM. We look forward to receiving your application.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Educated to Master's level or equivalent in a relevant field, or appropriate specialist qualifications and experience.

Desirable criteria

• A degree in Facilities Management or related field

Experience

Essential criteria

• Significant senior management experience in FM, with a proven track record in leading change, policy, and operational management.
• Experience in compliance with health and safety standards, particularly in environments requiring high levels of cleanliness and infection control.
• Proven ability to manage a diverse workforce and lead service delivery in complex environments.

Desirable criteria

• Experience in market testing, procurement, and delivering cost-efficient services

Knowledge / Skills

Essential criteria

• Strong ability to interpret and apply complex data and legislation to strategy and service development.
• Experience in financial management, including long-term financial oversight and daily budget control.
• Customer-focused with a commitment to delivering high-quality services.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage a diverse team. •

Desirable criteria

• Strong Leadership, Pragmatic, Inclusive and flexible

The Trust is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and that promote equality of opportunity. We are a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community and people of all protected characteristics. We provide reasonable adjustments for candidates with a disability and are committed to treating people fairly with compassion, respect and dignity and in promoting equality and human rights. We aim to put this commitment into practice by:

• Embedding our commitment to tackling inequality, eliminating discrimination and harassment; promoting equality of opportunity and fostering good relations in our everyday practice
• Ensuring that all our services and all staff understand and support our commitment
• We believe that people who use our services, their carers and our staff, should be treated with compassion, respect and dignity

Please note:

• That all applications for this post will need to be made online
• That you read and understand the Job Description and Personal Specification attached to the role. Your Statement in Support should reflect the requirements specified as your application will be judged against these criteria
• That the closing date listed is a guide only and that the vacancy may close earlier should sufficient number of applicants have been received. We advise that you submit your application as early as possible
• That once you have submitted your application you agree to your application being transferred to a 3rd party e-recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs
• That should you not have heard from us within three weeks from the closing date your application has not successful
• That priority consideration for applications may be given to at-risk NHS employees
• That should you be successful and appointed, you authorise South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to confirm your previous NHS service via an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process
• That we are a smoke-free Trust

SLaM is a Stonewall Diversity Champion , Stonewall is the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans (LGBT) rights charity in Europe'

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

• Job Description and Person Specification (PDF, 196.1KB)
• SLaM Staff Benefits (PDF, 1.1MB)
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working (PDF, 680.1KB)