5 Property and facilities assistant jobs

We're looking for someone with experience of verging or similar church support work to provide Maternity Cover for up to 12 months.  Starting in December 2026 the successful applicant will be involved with major services and events marking the Centenary of both the Cathedral and Diocese of Portsmouth.

Good social skills are essential as is the ability to work as part of a team as well as on your own inititiave.  The ability to work closely with and relate well to all Cathedral staff, ministry team, congregation, volunteers, visitors, and members of the general public will also be required. 

The two Assistant Vergers and Precinct Officers (AVPOs) carry out a wide range of duties under the direction of the Head Verger and Precinct Manager.  Work includes: the careful setting up and delivery of all liturgical matters; ensuring a welcoming, clean, and safe environment for all working in, visiting, or using the Cathedral and Cathedral House and precinct and ensuring the day-to-day smooth running of the Cathedral for all.

Essential experience and skills

• Sympathy with the Christian faith.
• At least one year’s experience as a church or cathedral verger or in a similar role.
• A flexible attitude and willingness to take on a range of duties including practical ‘hands- on’ work.
• Attention to detail and an ability to assess priorities including when under pressure.
• Understanding of liturgy or willingness to learn.
• Ability to be a good team player and work collaboratively with Ministry Team, staff and volunteers.
• Willing to work alone.
• Good administrative and IT skills.
• Good understanding of the importance of security, maintenance and health and safety.
• Good social and communication skills.
• Have an open and welcoming attitude to all including volunteers and members of the general public.
• A trained First Aider (or willing to be trained upon appointment to an appropriate level).·
• Ability to work flexibly over seven days and evenings including holiday periods.

Desirable experience

• A communicant member of the Church of England.
• Previous experience in a liturgical capacity.
• Experience of working in an environment where paid and voluntary staff work side by side.
• Experience of delivering events.
• Experience of caretaking duties.

Personal qualities

• Excellent interpersonal skills, in particular warmth, tact, diplomacy, discretion, and imagination.
• In sympathy with the ethos and aims of the Cathedral as a Christian organisation.
• Highly collaborative.
• Ability to lift and carry furniture, climb stairs, walk, and stand unaided for significant periods of time and work at height.
• Ability to work with senior level colleagues and with the general public.
• Committed to equal opportunities and inclusivity.
• Committed to upholding the highest standards of safeguarding practice.

Benefits of working at Portsmouth Cathedral:

• Generous leave allowance of 27 days (pro rata for part-time posts) plus all public holidays
• Employer pension contributions of 7%, 1% employee contribution
• Commitment to professional development and training.
• Cash health plan

Safeguarding. The Cathedral takes the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults very seriously, and practices Safer Recruitment for all roles (both paid and voluntary).  An enhanced DBS is required for this role, and face or online training will be required.   

Portsmouth Cathedral is an Equal Opportunities Employer and a member of Inclusive Church.

Closing date for applications: 23.59 Sunday 11 October

Interviews will be held on Monday 19 October in person

Residential & Commercial Property Manager

Hours: Minimum of 37.5 hours per week, normally Monday to Friday. Due to the nature of the role the working pattern may occasionally change to include evenings, weekends and Public Holidays, with reasonable notice provided or by prior agreement. This may be to support property inspections, tenant matters, or other operational requirements for example. TOIL will be provided for additional planned evening or weekend working in accordance with departmental arrangements.

Normal start and finish times may be reasonably adjusted with reasonable notice to meet operational requirements.

The role requires regular travel across the property portfolio and occasional travel to St James's Place, London, and other locations as required.

The Role

The Property Department is responsible for the facilities management and maintenance of the historic, residential and commercial properties belonging to the Rothschild Foundation and National Trust, including Waddesdon Manor, The Stables, Windmill Hill, the Five Arrows Hotel, The Bow, The Dairy, commercial and residential properties and various other smaller outbuildings, staff houses and general infrastructure.

The department is led by the Head of Property & Facilities Management, supported by the Facilities & Maintenance Manager, Residential & Commercial Property Manager and a team of skilled trade technicians, general facilities & maintenance operatives, grounds assistants and administrative and data support staff.

The Residential & Commercial Property Manager is responsible for the effective management, performance and development of the Rothschild Foundation's residential and commercial property portfolio, working within the strategic direction set by the Head of Property & Facilities Management.

What you will do

The role is responsible for maintaining high standards of landlord and property management, supporting optimal occupancy and rental income, ensuring appropriate legal and regulatory compliance, and providing a professional and responsive service to tenants and internal stakeholders.

The postholder line manages the Lettings Administrator and works closely with the Facilities & Maintenance Manager, Facilities & Maintenance Administrator, Property & Systems Data Lead, Finance and HR to ensure the effective management of the portfolio.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Portfolio Management & Strategy

• Work with the Head of Property & Facilities Management to develop and deliver the long-term strategy for the residential and commercial property portfolio.
• Manage the day-to-day performance of the residential and commercial portfolio, ensuring properties are managed effectively, professionally and in accordance with organisational objectives.
• Maintain oversight of occupancy, voids, rental performance and emerging portfolio risks, providing regular information and recommendations to the Head of Property & Facilities Management.
• Identify opportunities to improve the performance, condition, use and value of the portfolio and make recommendations for investment or improvement.
• Support property acquisitions, disposals, lease renewals and other portfolio changes as required, working with appropriate professional advisers.
• Prepare and contribute to relevant budgets, forecasts and longer-term property plans and monitor expenditure and income against agreed targets.

Residential Lettings & Tenancy Management

• Provide management oversight of the full residential lettings and tenancy lifecycle, ensuring properties are marketed, let and managed efficiently and in accordance with organisational policy and legal requirements.
• Line manage the Lettings Administrator, providing clear direction, regular one-to-one meetings, performance management, development support and appropriate oversight of workload and priorities.
• Ensure appropriate processes are in place for marketing, viewings, referencing, tenancy documentation, inventories, rent reviews, renewals, tenancy changes and check-out arrangements.
• Review recommendations relating to prospective tenants, rental values and tenancy arrangements and approve or escalate decisions in accordance with delegated authority.
• Maintain oversight of rent collection and arrears, working closely with Finance and ensuring concerns are identified and escalated promptly.
• Ensure tenant queries, complaints and tenancy-management matters are handled promptly, professionally and consistently.
• Maintain appropriate oversight of void properties and coordinate with Facilities & Maintenance colleagues to agree required works and support timely re-letting.

Staff Accommodation

• Provide property-management oversight of the organisation's staff accommodation portfolio, working closely with the Director of People and HR Department.
• Ensure the Lettings Administrator provides effective administration of staff accommodation, including Manor flats, National Trust Key Representative housing, Pathways Programme accommodation and other short-term or emergency accommodation.
• Ensure property, landlord, occupancy and compliance requirements relating to staff accommodation are appropriately managed.
• Work with the Director of People and/or Head of Property & Facilities Management on staff accommodation matters, recognising that employment-related eligibility, approvals, rental concessions and associated policy decisions sit outside the Lettings Administrator role and are determined in accordance with organisational policy.

Commercial Property Management

• Manage the day-to-day administration and performance of the commercial property portfolio, maintaining appropriate records of leases, licences, rent reviews, renewals and other key dates.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with commercial tenants and occupiers and act as a key point of contact for property-management matters.
• Coordinate lease events, rent reviews and other commercial property matters with external agents, valuers, solicitors and other professional advisers as required.
• Monitor rental performance, arrears, lease compliance and emerging risks and make recommendations to the Head of Property & Facilities Management.
• Support the effective management of commercial properties including the Five Arrows Hotel and The Bow where relevant to the landlord/property-management responsibilities of the Foundation.

Property Maintenance & Condition

• Work in close partnership with the Facilities & Maintenance Manager to agree priorities, capacity and workflows for planned and reactive works across the residential and commercial portfolio, balancing property and tenant requirements with available Facilities & Maintenance resources and wider departmental priorities.
• Agree appropriate timescales for works with the Facilities & Maintenance Manager before commitments are made to tenants or other stakeholders, and ensure priorities are reviewed where operational demands or available capacity change.
• Provide the Facilities & Maintenance Manager with relevant property, tenancy and access information to support effective planning and allocation of work.
• Maintain appropriate oversight of outstanding residential and commercial property works, working with the Facilities & Maintenance Manager and Facilities & Maintenance Administrator to ensure progress is communicated effectively to tenants and other stakeholders.
• Monitor property condition and identify emerging repair, investment or compliance requirements, escalating significant issues to the Head of Property & Facilities Management.
• Support property inspections, condition reviews and programmes of improvement as required.
• Escalate competing priorities, significant capacity constraints or unresolved issues to the Head of Property & Facilities Management where agreement cannot reasonably be reached.

Compliance & Risk

• Ensure the residential and commercial portfolio is managed in accordance with applicable landlord, property, housing and tenancy legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain oversight of relevant property and tenancy compliance records, working closely with the Property & Systems Data Lead and Facilities & Maintenance colleagues to ensure information is accurate and up to date.
• Ensure appropriate processes are maintained for statutory and landlord requirements, including relevant safety certification, tenancy documentation, deposit and occupancy requirements where applicable.
• Keep abreast of changes in residential and commercial property legislation and good practice and advise the Head of Property & Facilities Management on implications for the portfolio.
• Identify, assess and escalate property-management risks and support the implementation of appropriate controls and mitigations.
• Work with the Facilities & Maintenance Manager and Health & Safety Manager to ensure responsibilities for property compliance, maintenance compliance and health and safety are clearly coordinated.

Stakeholder & Professional Relationships

• Develop and maintain positive and professional relationships with residential and commercial tenants, prospective tenants and occupiers.
• Work collaboratively with the Head of Property & Facilities Management, Facilities & Maintenance Manager, Facilities & Maintenance Administrator, Property & Systems Data Lead, Finance, HR and other internal stakeholders.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with external agents, valuers, solicitors, local authorities, contractors and other professional advisers.
• Represent the Rothschild Foundation professionally in property-management discussions and negotiations within the authority delegated to the role.
• Prepare reports, updates and property information for the Head of Property & Facilities Management and other stakeholders as required.
• Undertake occasional travel to St James's Place, London, and other locations as required in connection with the responsibilities of the role.

You will be a great fit if:

You’re a confident communicator and supportive manager who uses their judgement to identify risks and know when to seek advice or escalate issues. You’re an experienced residential property professional who enjoys managing lettings and tenancies, and navigating property legislation and compliance with confidence. You’re commercially minded and organised, with a good understanding of property maintenance, budgets and rental performance.

Your areas of knowledge and expertise that matter for this role: 

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of residential property management and the management of lettings and tenancies.
• Strong working knowledge of residential landlord and tenancy requirements and relevant property legislation.
• Experience of managing a varied property workload, including tenant relationships, rent reviews, compliance and property-management processes.
• Experience of supervising or line managing others.
• Good understanding of property maintenance and experience of working collaboratively with maintenance or facilities professionals to prioritise and coordinate works.
• Strong financial and commercial awareness, including the ability to monitor rental performance, budgets and value for money.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines and a varied workload.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with tenants, colleagues, contractors and professional advisers.
• Good judgement and the ability to identify risk, make recommendations and escalate matters appropriately.
• Strong IT skills and confidence using property-management systems and standard business applications.
• A full UK driving licence is essential.

Desirable

• Experience of commercial property management, including leases, licences, rent reviews and lease events.
• Experience of managing a mixed residential and commercial property portfolio.
• Experience within a rural estate, heritage, charity or similarly complex multi-use environment.
• A relevant professional property qualification or membership, for example ARLA Propertymark, RICS or equivalent.
• Experience of staff, tied or other employer-provided accommodation.
• Experience of working with historic or listed properties.

AKF(UK) JOB DESCRIPTION

1. JOB TITLE

Facilities and Operations Manager

2. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

JOB TITLE

FOR

2.1 REPORTS DIRECTLY TO

Head of Kings Cross Properties

Strategic direction, measuring performance against targets, regular reviews, role modelling, support, guidance, development and performance management.

2.2 REPORTS INDIRECTLY TO

AKF(UK) Property Committee

Reporting on financial results, compliance, company law, charities legislation.

2.3 DIRECT REPORTS

Facilities and Maintenance Assistant Manager

Facilities and Maintenance Officer x 3

Strategic & Operational direction, measuring performance against targets, regular reviews, role modelling, support, guidance, development and performance management.

3. JOB PURPOSE

In the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter, the Aga Khan Centre (AKC) is a place for education, knowledge, cultural exchange and insight into Muslim Civilisations and is home to three organisations founded by His Highness the Aga Khan, The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS), the Aga Khan University Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC) and the Aga Khan Foundation United Kingdom (AKF(UK)).

This role is responsible for managing the effective functioning of the Aga Khan Centre to provide safe, efficient, secure, legally compliant and environmentally friendly spaces for residents, employees, students and visitors.

1. Leading a small team, the Facilities and Operations Manager will be responsible for providing a seamless support service to manage and deliver high quality proactive and reactive maintenance to a standard which is in accordance with the nature of the Aga Khan Centre and provides value for money. The role covers all aspects of repairs & maintenance including plumbing, air conditioning, electrics, building fabric, health & safety and emergency support and requires the postholder to be hands on, supporting the maintenance team with technical support, knowledge & coordination as well as executing PPM plans, managing contractors and overseeing and inspecting works.

The Facilities and Operations Manager will be a natural people person who leads with warmth, fairness and consistency, builds strong relationships across the team and the wider building, and is confident in managing day-to-day people situations with empathy, sound judgment and a balanced approach.

This is an office-based role, Monday to Friday, 8 hours per day (including a 1-hour unpaid break), to be worked flexibly within the hours of 8am and 6pm. Whilst weekend work is rare, there may be occasional requirements to attend site outside of normal working hours. The postholder will also be required to be on call for out of hours emergencies.

4.  KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 AKC Building Operations

· Oversee and manage the teams responsible for the reception, security and cleaning.

· To prepare and keep up to date the Facilities Management (FM) Plan for AKC and the approach taken for each ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ FM service, including planned preventative maintenance and lifecycle replacements, ensuring that a suitable, safe, high-quality operating environment is provided.

· To act as a point of contact for technical support in order to reduce supplier callouts and ensure the correct supplier is allocated to resolve the problem, after issues have been looked at in-house first.

· To manage, plan and monitor the day-to-day repairs and maintenance activities of the building management team, ensuring works are completed on time, to the highest quality and in line with the approved FM plan.

· To coordinate and manage activities of suppliers working in and around AKC including checking and approving completed work, ensuring it is on budget, within agreed timescales and to the quality required.

· To act on defects highlighted in suppliers’ reports and ensure resolution following up on any unresolved issues that could affect plant or equipment performance and safety.

· To ensure the AKC maintenance reporting system is updated with work carried out and outstanding tasks.

· To ensure maintenance supplies, spares and stock levels are monitored and supplies are always available.

· To receive, review, store and respond to suppliers’ reports, i.e. lifts, eye bolts, water sampling, lighting protection, etc. and supply a level of technical advice to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation.

· To maintain and review equipment asset registers and update accordingly.

· Responsible for the Health and Safety policy for AKC and liaising with outsourced consultants to ensure that AKC is compliant and required checks are carried out.

· To maintain all maintenance and H&S documents, registers and systems at all times and act as knowledge-holder on behalf of AKF(UK) for Operation Manuals, as-built drawings, maintenance records, licences and operating certificates related to AKC.

· Working in conjunction with the AKC IT team and external providers be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the core building services systems including for FM, Room Booking and Security.

· To adhere to the AKC environmental policy promoting and driving energy & water saving initiatives as well as recycling initiatives at all times.

· Plan and implement minor projects to optimize space utilisation within AKC. Participate as a key stakeholder in major projects.

· Support the relationships with the tenants of the AKC retail units.

· Ensure that the gardens embedded within the AKC, and the surrounding grounds and gardens are properly cared for and landscaped.

· Liaise with the Estate Landlord and their agents regarding estate management, central services, infrastructure and security issues and maintenance of the public realm around AKC

· Liaise with other building managers on the KX Estate and maintain good neighbourly relations.

· Respond to emergency situations or other urgent issues involving AKC.

4.2 AKC Building Administration

· To prepare an annual operational plan and budget for the AKC building management team.

· To provide commentary and analysis for the monthly building management finance report and work with the Property Finance Manager to ensure that there is an up to date forecast at all times.

· To lead any supplier procurement processes related to building management.

· Monitor and approve all building management supplier invoices and staff expenses for payment in line with approved budgets. Seek additional approvals for unbudgeted or excess expenditure.

· To ensure that safeguarding processes are embedded into all building management operations, all building management supplier contracts and the building management policies and processes.

· To routinely review standards of service and ensure best practices are being followed and to benchmark the costs of AKC building management against equivalent buildings to assess and demonstrate value for money.

· Manage and maintain the SLA standards, KPIs and targets for the AKC building management team.

· To own the AKC building management risk register ensuring that it is up to date at all times.

· To attend the AKF(UK) Property Committee meetings

· Work flexibly in terms of working hours to support and accommodate events and incidents outside of regular working hours.

· To ensure all tasks from the Security Audit are completed promptly, while maintaining up to date policies including the Critical Incident Plan and Office Security Plan

4.3 AKC Events

· To ensure that the building management team support the events management team with all large and complex events, including organising facilities for car parking, traffic control, security, first aid, and hospitality.

· To ensure that the building management team supports the dismantling and removal of the event materials and clearing the venue efficiently.

4.4 People Management

· Help the AKF(UK) CEO and Senior Management Team promote an organisational culture of teamwork and service, high-quality, transparency and accountability, innovation, and inclusiveness.

· Supervise, coach and mentor building management staff, building a highly skilled and motivated team demonstrating best practice in the sector and exemplifying AKF (UK) values and behaviours.

· Oversee and set annual performance objectives and evaluate performance in accordance with the AKF (UK)’s staff performance management procedures.

· Identify staff with potential for advancement and, as part of succession planning, contribute to their development.

· Build a culture throughout the building management team of continuous improvement, in which staff are cognizant of and influence the broader learning agenda alongside delivery objectives.

Carry out any other duties as assigned by the Head of Kings Cross Properties.

5. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ATTRIBUTES & BEHAVIOURS

5.1 Qualifications

· A degree in Facilities Management or similar qualification would be an advantage.

5.2 Experience

· Experience of staff management

· Experience of managing third-party contractors

· Experience in managing complex mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems

· Experience of managing planned preventative maintenance for hard and soft services

· Experience of working in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment

· Experience in planning programmes of work for maintenance in accordance with the buildings requirements and identifying gaps in the maintenance strategy.

· Experience of identifying trends and developing/implementing management reports.

· Experience in a similar field e.g. school, university or charity.

5.3 Skills

· Good interpersonal, customer care and liaison with a wide range of stakeholders

· Ability to explain technical issues to non-technical personnel.

· Ability to work both strategically and operationally.

· Ability to successfully manage time, plans and other related tasks.

· Ability to continuously meet targets and surpass expectations.

· Ability to lead, inspire and motivate a team to meet objectives.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

· Good presentation skills.

· Excellent communication skills and able to communicate with internal and external customers.

· Commercially aware with good negotiating skills.

· Excellent client facing skills with the confidence to deal with people at all levels.

· Capable of working independently and collaboratively as part of a wider team.

· Good numeracy and presentation skills.

· Self-motivated, action-focused and with a proactive approach.

· Ability to always maintain a professional appearance and approach.

· Proven ability to deal with change.

5.4 Knowledge

· Knowledge of statutory legislation (Pressure Systems Safety Regs, HSG 274 Parts 1, 2, 3, 17th Edition Electrical Regs, LOLER, Working at Height Regs, etc.) and capable of verifying certification relating to the relevant statutory legislation.

· Thorough understanding of building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire safety).

· Working knowledge of a CAFM system (Concept Evolution, TABS FM etc.)

· A good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Project, Excel and PowerPoint.

· Awareness of sustainability and energy efficiency practices

5.5 Attributes

· Demonstrates equity, transparency and integrity with high personal and organisational ethical standards; is fair, honest and trustworthy with respect for confidentiality; inspires and builds trust and respect.

· Respectful of diversity; sensitive towards others; open and understanding toward other people’s cultures, values, autonomy, and faiths; demonstrates compassion and empathy; is courteous to others with respect for their background, religion, gender and age

· Committed to acting ethically and upholding safeguarding standards towards all staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries of the organisation.

5.6 Behaviours

· Communicates clearly and concisely, individually and across a broad scope of stakeholders and communities; expresses complex ideas and concepts in simple terms; listens to the views of others; changes communication styles to meet individual and audience needs; encourages dialogue and effective communication by others.

· Builds, maintains and deepens constructive and effective relationships with stakeholders, changes approach to achieve desired results if required.

· Has a customer focused approach, is flexible and always puts the good of others at the centre of decision making; optimises the culture of volunteerism and respect for others and is dedicated to AKF’s purpose and fulfilling the mission.

· Is a supportive team player, collaborates creating a culture of knowledge sharing and team learning. Is proactive in teamwork.

· Inspires self and others to greater performance, professional standards and results; likes to get things done; accepts new challenges and opportunities to enable self-reliance and achievement of full potential; gives and receives timely balanced feedback.

· Acknowledges creativity; adapts established methods for new uses; is focused on improving systems and processes; open to change; analyses, synthesises and challenges conventional thinking.

· Enterprising attitude that is quick to search out alternative solutions to needs or problems; creates and participates in communities of practice to establish networks of problem solving and organisational learning.

· Drives commitment to delivering high quality results with cost-effective use of resources; sets appropriate deliverables and uses innovative working methods to develop capacity, capability and a sustainable environment; has a clear vision of outcome and communicates this to inspire resources.

6. KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal Relationships

· AKC Events

· AKC IT

· AKC Gallery

· IIS

· AKU-ISMC

External Relationships

· Suppliers

· Kings Cross Estate

You will use a wide range of commercial and interpersonal skills to develop the way our services support children, young people and families.

The core area of your work will be working with teams of Barnardo's colleagues to produce compelling proposals to commissioners and partners in Scotland and Northern Ireland. As such, you'll be able to demonstrate:

• Strong organisational skills
• Meticulous attention to detail
• The ability to elicit and articulate great ideas
• Strong written and spoken communication

You will need to be a good writer, communicating ideas effectively on paper with an ability to analyse large volumes of information to develop clear and compelling responses to tenders. It is critical that you can build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support the development of proposals and service design.

You will manage all aspects of proposals and tenders, leading the development and delivery of bids, working to deadlines, ensuring that we present strong business cases and bids that underpin successful outcomes. In addition, there will be the opportunity to help us develop new services and innovations in priority growth areas, monitor market intelligence, assess commercial and contract risks and work alongside operational colleagues in Children's Services.

Your project management skills may have been developed in any sector, and may need further development, but your commitment to the work we do will be demonstrated by your enthusiasm and ability to learn. In Business Development we are a supportive team, with stimulating and challenging work and extensive opportunities to learn and to help Barnardo's transform the lives of the UK's most vulnerable children.

These roles will operate on a 'Work from Anywhere' basis, meaning that you can work both from home and/or from an office 'hub' that's nearest to where you live. Some travel across Scotland and Northern Ireland may be required.

Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date.  We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible