Director of Estates, Facilities and Sustainability

We are actively promoting flexible working options, helping you to manage a work / life balance

Job overview

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Director of Estates, Facilities and Sustainability to join our senior leadership team at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL).

This is a pivotal role responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of our estate and facilities functions, while also championing our Trust-wide sustainability ambitions and NHS Net Zero goals.

You will be joining us at an exciting and challenging time, with the opportunity to drive real impact across one of the largest and most complex acute Trusts in the country. We are also on an ambitious journey of transformation and improvement, with a strong focus on patient safety, operational excellence, and creating a greener, more sustainable future.

This role will give you the opportunity to work alongside exceptional leaders and teams. You will be welcomed at UHL and your personality, skills and experience will be embraced to support the provision of safe care and you will effectively introduce innovative ways of working.

If you want to join a team and an organisation that has achieved great things and aspires for so much more, please contact me directly for a conversation: [email protected]

• Provide strategic leadership for estates, facilities, and sustainability across all UHL sites
• Ensure a safe, efficient, compliant and patient-centred environment
• Lead the development and implementation of the Trust’s Green Plan and carbon reduction initiatives
• Manage and support a large operational workforce
• Work collaboratively across the ICS and with national partners
• Support the delivery of high-quality care through estates transformation and innovation

Working for our organisation

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals:

• high-quality care for all,
• being a great place to work,
• partnerships for impact, and
• research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• we are compassionate,
• we are proud,
• we are inclusive, and
• we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacancies/

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Provide strong and active leadership on the development and implementation of a Trust Board approved Estates Strategy and maintaining an up-to-date Masterplan (Development Control Plan).

Lead the Team’s contribution to the corporate improvement and transformation plans for UHL .

Ensure our facilities are of a high quality and a clean and safe environment for the delivery of health care.

Ensure that all statutory and mandatory requirements relating to the Team are met.

Ensure we work effectively within the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) health and care system in relation to estates, facilities and sustainability matters.

Ensure successful delivery and implementation of our Estate Strategy to enable us to meet our strategic objectives and deliver on national guidance including national targets and objectives.

Contribute and support the delivery of our strategy through the best use of Trust assets and minimise waste.

Ensure we have effective professional advice in respect of all estate issues.

Advise the CEO and the Trust Board of any non-compliance with statutory and mandatory regulations in respect of the estate in use.

Actively participate in working across the local system on estates, facilities, capital planning and sustainability opportunities.

Provide and maintain Estate information on space utilisation, condition and backlog maintenance including the completion of required returns (ERIC).

Ensure that rates and valuations of the sites are correctly set, providing information to ensure that any applications for rebates and reassessment are promptly dealt with.

Ensure that up-to-date records are maintained with ‘Estate code’ in line with the requirements of HBN 00-08 ‘Estate code’

Ensure that an appropriate programme of Planned Preventative Maintenance is in place for both the Estate, and that it is appropriately resourced.

Ensure that a five-year rolling programme is in place for backlog maintenance, plant replacement and extraordinary maintenance.

Ensure effective procedures are in place for the monitoring and control of the energy/utilities budget.

To be the Trust lead for Sustainability including the publication and delivery of the Trust’s Green Plan.

Ensure the Estates and Facilities function hold a robust Business Continuity Plan (BCP) that maintains continuity of services in the event of major failure of plant or equipment or a major incident. Similarly, that this BCP integrates and supports the BCP of the wider Trust.

Ensure the process for obtaining competitive tenders/quotations for major maintenance services/term contracts is followed in line with Trust Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions, NHS policy and National Procurement Regulations.

Appoint Consultant Architects, Surveyors, Engineers and Planning Supervisors where required to support the activity of the Estates, Facilities and Sustainability Team, ensuring that they are appropriately briefed and engaged in line with the Trust’s objectives and NHS guidance.

Commission and monitor contracts for professional consultancy and the performance of work on the estate to ensure adherence to contract terms etc.

Ensure the effective management and technical control of services including: Catering; Domestic; Portering; Laundry/Linen Services; Waste Management; Security; Car Parking, Switchboard, Grounds and Gardens Maintenance and Pest Control across all sites.

Ensure that the process for obtaining competitive tenders/quotations for Facilities services/term contracts is followed in line with Trust policy and NHS Regulations.

Ensure that appropriate technical advice is available to Trust Senior Management Team and Trust Board / as appropriate on issues relating to the provision of Facilities Services.

Act as the Trust’s designated officer for Patient Lead Assessment of the Care Environment (PLACE) initiatives, working with the Chief Nurse, for: o Cleanliness – including hand hygiene

o Buildings and facilities

Ensure that formal leases/licences are in place for all premises occupied (but not owned) by the Trust and that any third party occupiers have leases or licenses in place on market based terms that do not disadvantage the Trust.

Oversee the commercial opportunities of the Secret Garden.

Oversee our residential accommodation, ensuring there is an effective and appropriate capital programme in place for upgrades working with the CFO.

To appoint appropriate Project Managers and teams for designated major capital developments

Person specification

Essential

• Degree in Engineering, Building, Surveying, Architecture, Estates or Facilities Management

Essential

• Experience in a Senior Management position with responsibility and accountability for the delivery of Estates and Facilities services and/or Capital delivery

Essential

• Knowledge of how the Estates and Facilities function operates in the acute NHS setting

Essential

• Sound understanding of financial management and processes, with in-depth knowledge of Contract Management

Additional Information

Please submit your application form without delay to avoid disappointment; we will close vacancies prior to the publishing closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.

Please check the email account (including your junk mail) that you supplied as part of your application on a regular basis following the closing date and throughout the recruitment process, as this is how we will communicate with you.

UHL is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who match our job criteria.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

UHL is committed to helping colleagues balance the demands of both their work and personal needs through flexible working arrangements wherever reasonably practicable and subject to service needs.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Please note if you are successful in obtaining this position and the post involves regulated activity you will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service check.

The Trust will pay for the check initially and the money will then be deducted from your salary over a three month period commencing on your first month's payment.

The current price of a check is £38 for an enhanced and £18 for a standard check.

COVID 19 Risk Assessment

Due to the current Covid pandemic we have introduced a staff risk assessment into our pre-employment process. This now forms part of the mandatory pre-employment checks that will be carried out if you receive a conditional offer.

The risk assessment is intended to ensure you are able to safely perform your duties in any of our work areas, and if you have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. Our main aim is to reduce risk and to ensure the safety of all new starters to the Trust as well as current staff, patients and visitors.

If it is identified that you are within a vulnerable category, we will endeavor to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate this through discussions with both Occupational Health and your recruiting manager.

Covid Vaccination Status

Covid-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, family, colleagues and our patients/service users from the Covid-19 virus. We therefore continue to encourage our current and potential colleagues to get vaccinated.

We welcome applications from the diverse community of Leicester, Leicester and Rutland, to help deliver healthcare services that meets the needs of our diverse communities.