Job overview
Barts Health NHS Trust manages one of the largest operational estates in the NHS, serving some of the busiest and most complex hospitals in the country. With a strong group model and embedded senior leadership teams at each site, we are committed to delivering safe, effective, and high-quality environments that enable outstanding care across East London.
We are now seeking an exceptional Deputy Head of Facilities to join us at a pivotal time. This is a senior leadership role with real scope and significance — responsible for overseeing a broad range of Soft FM services across all Barts Health hospitals, including cleaning, patient catering, waste, linen, security, reception and more. These services are fundamental to the safety, experience and wellbeing of our patients, staff and visitors — and must be delivered in line with statutory requirements, national NHS guidance, and CQC standards.
This role is rooted in transformation. The NHS is facing unprecedented pressures, and we must do more with less — driving innovation, unlocking efficiencies, and delivering services in new and more sustainable ways. You will play a central role as part of the Group Soft FM team in shaping and leading this change across our Soft FM functions, working closely with group and hospital leadership teams, the wider Estates and Facilities team, and Trust-wide transformation partners.
If you’re ready to lead with purpose and deliver real, lasting improvement — we look forward to hearing from you.
Main duties of the job
The Deputy Head of Facilities will provide tactical leadership for the operational and financial management of Soft FM services across all Barts Health hospitals and associated community units. The role is responsible for developing and implementing innovative, efficient service models that support clinical operations, patient experience and regulatory compliance.
You will oversee delivery of Soft FM services and mobilisation or improvement projects, ensuring compliance with Service Level Agreements, NHS standards and CQC requirements. This includes delegated control of revenue and capital budgets, procurement and contract management, approval of invoices and adherence to Standing Financial Instructions.
Working closely with Heads of Facilities, Associate Directors and cross-functional teams, you will ensure services are safe, resilient and aligned to operational plans and KPIs. You will represent Soft FM at Trust-wide forums, provide specialist advice to Boards and lead on audit, risk management and governance, including Datix reporting and incident investigation.
The role includes leadership of service managers and project workstreams, contractor oversight, workforce development, disciplinary support and delivery of training to maintain compliance. You will champion a digital-first approach to operational delivery and performance reporting.
As part of the senior operational rota, you will provide seven-day leadership coverage and deputise for the Head of Facilities as required, maintaining high standards of quality, safety and accountability across the estate.
Working for our organisation
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain’s leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment..
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are underrepresented within Barts Health at this band.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We are dedicated to being an outstanding place to work and will work with you to get the best experience. We know flexible working is not a one size fits all and will mean something different to everyone. We are inclusive, so if you are interested in flexible working, please speak to the recruiting manager.
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
1. Experience managing large teams in the facility management environment.
2. Evidence of working collaboratively with other teams and organisations to deliver successful outcomes.
3. A successful track record in negotiating and influencing others at a more senior and professional level.
4. Proven experience of effective budget management.
5. Proven success in business planning and in the development and effective implementation of tactical plans.
6. Proven record of success in managing operational change while also developing and maintaining high standards of quality.
7. Significant experience of managing teams and individuals successfully.
8. Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary Project Management environment
9. Operational experience in Estates and Facilities; delivering frontline services to patients / users / customers. Delivering high standards of service.
10. A demonstrable track record of leading, motivating and managing a multidisciplinary team.
11. Commercially aware, with an understanding and experience of managing outsourced service providers
Desirable criteria
12. Facilities management experience gained within the NHS
13. Experience with using digital programmes and systems to drive efficiency and productivity in a Soft FM area.
Skills
Essential criteria
14. Ability to prioritise, organise and manage a demanding workload and resources.
15. To use skilled and informed judgement that could involve highly complex facts or situations, for example being responsible for the resolution of live project financial pressures as they may arise whilst ensuring the delivery of clinical and technical compliance and business case objectives. This may involve significant negotiation and decision making to resolve complex, contentious and sensitive problems achieving a balanced outcome to satisfy the needs of the organisation and the Project.
16. The ability to think creatively at a tactical and operational level.T o aid in delivery of our future strategic direction whilst embracing operational challenges.
17. The ability to use innovation, creativity and flair to deliver a high-quality environment.
18. Ensure a detailed focus on delivery is achieved and maintained.
19. Ability to use and interpret the NHS England, CQC and National Guidance and Standards.
20. Excellent staff management skills, with the ability to lead and work as part of a team.
21. Excellent communication skills, including negotiation, with the proven ability to liaise effectively within a multidisciplinary team based environment.
22. Ability to prioritise a busy workload, meet deadlines and complete tasks within agreed time scales.
23. Experience and skill in presentation and training.
24. Excellent digital & ICT skills including Microsoft 365 and Synbiotix Facilities Management system
Knowledge
Essential criteria
25. Excellent all round technical knowledge of catering, helpdesk, cleaning, waste, security and portering services.
26. Understanding of food hygiene, national cleaning standards and Health and Safety at Work Act.
27. Sound experience of delivering 24/7 demand-led services, incl. emergency responses to user needs.
28. A sound knowledge of the application and use of risk and issues assessment techniques. Detailed knowledge and understanding of NHS targets and other topical NHS issues.
29. A clear understanding of the components of governance, compliance and risk and how these contribute to an integrated and quality-driven service.
30. An understanding of NHS guidance and policy, particularly in relation to patient care and how that may influence delivery programmes. Knowledge and understanding of interpreting programme planning tools.
Qualifications
Essential criteria
31. Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification related subject (facility management, real estate, Business Management); or relevant extensive experience and knowledge.
32. Project/programme management qualification i.e. Lean Six Sigma
33. Senior level experience preferable gained in customer-facing environment Evidence of continuous professional development
Other
Essential criteria
34. High standard of written and spoken English. Strong attention to detail in all aspects of work Personal and professional integrity
35. Professional outlook and approach IT literate: proficient in common systems including in the use of Word, Excel and Email packages
36. Ability to manage staff training and to ensure statutory/mandatory staff training is carried out, recorded and kept up to date.
37. To have a proven record of inspiring people to think and act innovatively and to challenge established practices.
38. Evidence of political awareness and sensitivity to the high profile of the Directorate and the Trust.
39. Demonstrate a commitment to the professional development of self and others.
40. An ability to demonstrate in-depth Knowledge of current thinking and policy affecting health and public sector.
41. Knowledge of equalities issues and strong commitment to the promotion of equality in employment.
42. Sound knowledge of team management and how to achieve the best for staff.
43. To use initiative and common sense to foresee what work needs to be done.
44. To set a high-quality standard, and work in a positive and mature manner.
45. Knowledge of safeguarding for adults and children
46. To seek appropriate advice and help when issues cannot be dealt with at own level.
**Visa Sponsorship Information**
Recent changes to UK immigration policy on the Health and Care Visa and Skilled Worker Visa could mean that this role is not eligible for sponsorship or that you may not meet the eligibility criteria.
Sponsorship can only be offered if this post and any individual offered employment meet all the Home Office’s requirements under the UK Skilled Worker visa scheme.
If you are applying from outside the UK or will require sponsorship, please mention this clearly in your application.
To be eligible for sponsorship, the following conditions must be met:
47. Eligible role: The position must be on the UK Skilled Worker visa list. You can check your eligibility here: -.
48. Salary threshold: The role must meet the minimum salary set by the Home Office. Please note that for roles employed under Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions, the High-Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) is not included when calculating the basic salary for the purposes of sponsorship.
49. Skill level: The role must meet the minimum skill requirement of RQF Level 6 or above (graduate level).
50. English language: Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency at CEFR level B1 or higher.
51. Other criteria: Applicants must meet all other criteria as set out by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)