Job Description
Grade UE06: £34,132 to £39,355 per annum
Corporate Services Group / Accommodation, Catering and Events
Full-time: 35 hours per week
Fixed-term: 9 months
The Opportunity
We are seeking a customer-focused Operations Manager to lead the delivery of soft facilities services across a diverse portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate accommodation, located across multiple properties.
In this key role, you will be responsible for overseeing a Domestic Team and a Customer Service Manager to ensure services are delivered to a high standard and in line with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). You’ll work closely with colleagues in the Estates Department on the coordination of hard services and minor works projects, ensuring a joined-up approach to building management.
The post will provide essential oversight of the facilities team in delivering high-quality, front-facing services at Pollock Halls, encompassing the management of soft facilities as well as the coordination of compliance, repairs, and refurbishment across the campus. You will support key organisational priorities, including enhancing the student experience, driving commercial income generation, and protecting the University’s reputation.
This is a highly customer-focused role, requiring leadership, planning, and communication skills. You will play a central part in our commercial summer operations, supporting the wider management team with resource planning, staff training, and operational readiness. The post holder will also take a lead role in resource planning, compliance, and regulatory assurance, overseeing HMO licensing, health and safety certifications, and audit processes within their portfolio. You will be responsible for maintaining rigorous quality control and service standards, driving continuous improvements through structured property inspections and cleaning audits.
This is a full-time position on an initial 9-month contract, working 35 hours per week on a rota basis between 8am and 6pm. Weekend working is required at times, particularly during peak commercial and summer periods.
Your Skills And Attributes For Success
- Experience managing facilities or property services, ideally across multiple locations.
- Leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and support others.
- Strong organisational skills, able to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure.
- A customer-focused approach, with strong communication and problem-solving skills.
- Confident using IT systems, with experience managing budgets and resources.
Click to view a copy of the full job description (opens new browser tab)
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
- A competitive salary of £34,132 - £39,355 per annum.
- An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
- To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
- Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.
Championing equality, diversity and inclusion
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our
right to work webpages (opens new browser tab).
The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. International applicants will therefore be unable to apply for and secure a Skilled Worker visa. They will only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is
23rd July 2025.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
Interviews will be held
within 2 weeks of the closing date.
About Us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About The Team
Accommodation, Catering and Events provides catered and self-catered residential accommodation for over 10,000 students, including community and welfare support through its Residence Life service. We also operate 17 cafes and a range of other catering products to students and staff across the University estate. Under our commercial brand, The University of Edinburgh Hospitality and Events Collection, we deliver hotel accommodation options to around 200,000 guests each year plus an extensive selection of conference, catering and event services to over 2,000 events.
Please visit our website for further information.
