Head of Cleaning Services - student accommodation

Job Introduction

A great opportunity has become available within our Sodexo Universities segment for a Head of Cleaning Services to be part of our amazing team based at Claude Gibb Hall, Northumbria University.

In this role you will report directly into our awesome Operations manager; your focus will be to deliver a high-quality cleaning service and commercial management to all stakeholders as you support with delivering sector leading accommodation services. It will be a busy varied role and no two days will be the same, as you work across six accommodation sites within the Newcastle upon Tyne area (all in walking distance to each other).

Team management experience along with excellent customer service and people skills are essential for this role. You will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of a range of cleaning services as well as managing our commercial business which runs from June – September.  You will be the ‘go to’ person who is visible and leading from the front! Most importantly you will want to be enhancing the quality of life of students delivering a positive experience to all students living within Northumbria University’s accommodation. This is a great opportunity to join a world leading food and facilities management company, which can offer unrivalled opportunities for career progression.

Role Responsibility

• Manage cleaning staff across all sites ensuring that they are carrying out their duties to the required standard
• Monitor all cleaning activities, review, and amend all work schedules in line with business needs
• Ensure that all staff are aware of the Health and Safety policies and procedures
• Effectively undertake cleaning duties on occasion to include recycling, confidential waste, litter picking, reception, toilets, bathrooms, accommodation, housekeeping, entrances, building lifts, stairways
• Have full working knowledge of all cleaning equipment, materials and chemicals and the use of cleaning equipment and supervise the use of such equipment and chemicals.
• Ensure that cleaning stores are kept clean, tidy, equipment is always stored correctly and safely and that the correct documentation is contained within. To complete stock checks and order any cleaning materials as required.
• Complete and update Risk Assessments and Safe Systems of Work and to train the team in these areas.
• Take part and effectively engage in employee training and have a full understanding of Health and Safety, COSHH, cleaning methods, cleaning training and site-specific procedures
• Liaise with the Operations Manager and Accommodation Manager to plan, manage and co-ordinate the semester and summer deep cleaning of all accommodation
• Work with the Operations Manager and Accommodation Manager to plan, supervise and co-ordinate the commercial business set up and cleaning requirements.
• Involvement with the recruitment of permanent and temporary cleaning staff.
• Carry out Audits and ensure any actions are completed.

The Ideal Candidate

• Proven consistent experience in leading a cleaning team at supervisory level
• Ability to solve problems and implement appropriate solutions
• Previous experience of working in standards driven/compliance environment
• Strong knowledge of health and safety and COSHH regulations
• A great communicator able to maintain and develop client relationships
• Ability to prioritise and deploy resources effectively
• Able to work on own initiative within a team environment
• Good working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel and Outlook)
• Attention to detail and adherence to standards
• Experience of working with, and the ability to empathise with people from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures, and religions

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. This role will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland.

Package Description

£28,000pa + great benefits

Location: Claude Gibb Student Accommodation, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Permanent

Work Pattern – 40 hrs pw 09.00 to 17.30 Monday to Friday with flexibility on occasions as required

We also offer Sodexo Discounts site promoting discounted mobile phone tariffs, savings across restaurant chains and days out, where you and your family can save money on everything from your weekly food shop to the latest cinema blockbuster and much more!

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs around 30,000 people, and partners with clients in many sectors across business and industry; schools and universities; sports and leisure; energy and resources; government and agencies; healthcare; justice and defence.

Sodexo’s connected; people-centric approach brings together a diverse range of expertise. The breadth of services it offers ranges from food and hospitality; cleaning; reception; concierge (Circles); security; property management and technical services through to data driven workplace strategy and design (Wx); employee engagement and recognition services (Sodexo Engage) and personal home services through Prestige Nursing + Care and the Good Care Group.  

Vital Spaces is Sodexo’s value proposition that puts people at the heart of everything we do, bringing together services and solutions and focusing on the productivity and wellbeing of people wherever they are.

Sodexo is committed to being an inclusive employer; we welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities.

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 are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to  support ex-forces personnel and reservists, those applying for jobs with us who meet the ideal candidate criteria for the role advertised are guaranteed to progress to the selection process