Residence Manager

Leeds, Yorkshire
Downing

We are looking for a Residence Manager to join our team, responsible for the operational activities within our scheme comprising 474 en-suite and studio bedrooms in the University district of Leeds.

As a Residence Manager, you will be responsible for delivering the best possible experience for our customers and ensuring the delivery of cost-effective facilities and maintenance services.

Downing is an award-winning leading developer, owner, and operator of bespoke, luxury student accommodation, residential, and commercial property across the UK. We have been operating for over 35 years and currently manage 14 operational student accommodation schemes in 10 major cities, with additional projects under construction.

Role outline:

1. Manage and motivate the team to operate Cityside student accommodation, providing high-quality service for customers.
2. Instruct the site team regarding Health & Safety, data protection, and current legislation.
3. Handle partnership agreements with external institutes, meeting all relevant SLAs and KPIs.
4. Support hospitality and customer service functions, including presentation of communal areas, handling complaints, and pastoral issues.
5. Manage the student letting cycle to ensure 100% occupancy, including marketing, scheduling, viewings, check-in/out, inspections, tenancy agreements, rent & arrears management, student welfare, and documentation.
6. Assist in planning the availability and viewings of all rooms to let.
7. Contribute to achieving all lettings targets to ensure the site is fully let year on year.
8. Maximize income through extensions, summer lets, and vending.
9. Prepare reports related to lettings, rent, and customer issues.
10. Provide customer-focused Facilities and Maintenance services, managing utilities, waste, security, cleaning contracts, and budgets.
11. Ensure delivery of the scheme’s statutory inspections and testing, preparing related reports.
12. Manage site/building operations to ensure best practices, scheduling trades, support services, and liaising with local authorities and partners like the University.
13. Organize, tender, and manage minor works, planned, and preventative maintenance programs.
14. Ensure compliance with Health & Safety legislation and proper risk assessments.
15. Manage defects and resolve complex or outstanding issues.
16. Contribute to procurement programs for maintenance, servicing, and facilities contracts, including managing minor contractors.

Key requirements:

1. Proven commercial experience in student/university halls or hotel sector.
2. Ideal for someone currently at Assistant Manager level or equivalent seeking career progression.
3. Facilities Management experience is advantageous.
4. Ability to manage staff with diverse expertise.
5. Dynamic, customer service-oriented, and service delivery focused.
6. Self-motivated, well-organized, and able to perform under pressure.

Hours of Work:

1. Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm / 9am – 6pm.
2. One in four Saturdays, 8am – 5pm, with time in lieu provided.
3. Additional hours may be required during summer turnaround periods.

I wish to receive email updates and newsletters from Downing.

The benefits

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Life assurance cover
• Mental health support
• Company pension contribution

Work for us

Our people are our success, and there has never been a more exciting time to join Downing as it enters its most significant expansion in three decades.

Our team is united in mutual respect and a desire to advance the business. Here you’ll find all our latest job vacancies. If you’re excited by opportunities and want to be valued for your contributions, explore what we currently have available.