FM Manager

Stafford, Staffordshire
Opus People Solutions

Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service / Staffordshire Police Joint Estates Service
Location: Staffordshire / West Midlands (Hybrid)
Salary: £55,944 – £63,522 per annum
Reporting to: Service Director – Estates
Direct Reports: Technical Officer and three Technical Assistants

The Opportunity

Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service and Staffordshire Police operate a shared Estates Service responsible for managing a complex operational property portfolio that supports frontline emergency services across the county. This includes operational fire stations, specialist facilities, support buildings and wider estate infrastructure.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Technical Services Manager to lead the Fire Service’s technical property and facilities management function. Reporting to the Service Director – Estates, you will take ownership of maintenance delivery, statutory compliance, contractor management, capital investment programmes and technical assurance across the Fire estate.

This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on technical expertise and will suit an experienced estates, property or facilities professional looking to make a tangible contribution to public safety whilst influencing the future direction of a significant operational estate.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Lead and develop the in-house technical services team, driving performance, engagement and professional development.
• Act as the senior technical authority for building-related matters across the Fire Service estate.
• Provide technical specifications, drawings and project documentation for maintenance, refurbishment and capital projects.
• Support wider Estates Service objectives and contribute to long-term strategic planning.
• Estates & Facilities Management
• Lead the delivery of planned and reactive maintenance programmes across the Fire estate.
• Manage external contractors and specialist suppliers, ensuring performance, compliance and value for money.
• Provide client-side technical support for the organisation’s Private Finance Initiative (PFI) property contracts.
• Ensure buildings remain operational, compliant and fit for purpose in support of frontline emergency services.
• Compliance & Health and Safety
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, approved codes of practice and statutory requirements.
• Support Duty Holder responsibilities relating to property compliance and health and safety.
• Oversee contractor safety management, including review and approval of RAMS and safe systems of work.
• Ensure adherence to CDM Regulations 2015 and relevant construction legislation during project delivery.
• Work closely with technical compliance colleagues to minimise organisational risk and ensure full compliance across the estate.
• Capital Projects & Asset Investment
• Deliver capital investment and construction programmes safely, on time and within budget.
• Manage annual capital expenditure across the operational estate.
• Prepare specifications, tender documentation and procurement packages for capital and maintenance projects.
• Monitor contractor performance and project outcomes against agreed objectives.
• Financial & Strategic Management
• Manage and forecast capital and operational budgets.
• Analyse estates data to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop policies, procedures and governance frameworks that support operational excellence and regulatory compliance.
• Deputise for the Service Director – Estates when required

We are seeking a technically strong estates professional with a background in facilities management, property services, construction or building surveying.

Likely backgrounds include:

• Building Surveying
• Estates Management
• Facilities Management
• Construction Project Management
• Property Management
• Compliance & Building Safety
• Public Sector Estates
• Emergency Services, NHS, Local Authority or Education Estates
• Essential Qualifications
• Degree-level qualification in Building Surveying, Facilities Management, Construction Management or a related property discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Recognised Health & Safety qualification such as NEBOSH or IOSH.
• Relevant compliance qualifications in areas such as asbestos, legionella or building compliance.
• Essential Experience
• Significant experience working within a technical property or estates environment.
• Proven track record leading facilities management or building maintenance services.
• Experience managing construction projects and capital programmes.
• Strong contract management and contractor performance experience.
• Experience managing budgets, forecasting expenditure and delivering value for money.
• Demonstrable leadership capability, including team development, recruitment and performance management.
• Strong understanding of health and safety legislation, compliance frameworks and construction-related regulations.

Personal Attributes

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Strong technical credibility.
• Strategic thinking and commercial awareness.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills.
• Collaborative leadership style.
• Confidence and resilience.
• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Sound judgement and decision-making capability.
• Commitment to public service and continuous improvement.

Why Join?

This is a rare opportunity to lead technical services within one of the UK’s most progressive joint emergency service estates functions. Working across Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service and Staffordshire Police, you will have direct influence over compliance, capital investment, operational resilience and estate strategy while supporting services that make a genuine difference to local communities every day.

Package Highlights

• Salary £55,944 – £63,522
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Significant autonomy and responsibility
• High-profile strategic projects
• Opportunity to shape the future of a major blue-light services estate