Why Southwark?
At Southwark Council, we don’t just manage buildings – we create places that matter. As Assistant Director of Corporate Facilities Management, you’ll lead the charge in reimagining how our buildings and their maintenance support our frontline services, staff, and communities. With nearly 500 assets under your remit, you’ll play a critical role in supporting one of the largest, most complex and rewarding estates portfolios in local government.
Here’s why this role is a game-changer:
1. Impact with scale: Support 5,000+ staff and influence a borough-wide transformation through Southwark 2030 – our vision for a fair, green and safe borough.
2. Portfolio with purpose: Oversee high-profile projects including multi-million-pound capital investments and workplace fit-outs.
3. Leadership with autonomy: Report directly to the Director of People & Organisational Development, leading a high-performing team of senior specialists with the freedom to shape and deliver your strategic vision.
What You'll Be Doing
We are looking for someone who is meticulous, highly skilled and driven by public service with a track-record in driving transformation and creating a legacy. This job will involve the following:
4. Leading the strategic and operational delivery of FM services across Southwark’s corporate estate
5. Designing long-term procurement and contract strategies that bring national policy and local priorities to life
6. Reinforcing a strong health & safety culture and ensuring full legal and regulatory compliance
7. Overseeing complex capital and maintenance projects aligned to borough regeneration and service transformation
8. Driving innovation and sustainability in estate management, supporting our decarbonisation and inclusive design goals
9. Managing high-value budgets and delivering services that offer both quality and value for money
10. Building strong internal and external partnerships that enable change, improvement, and accountability
11. Advising senior leaders, including the Chief Executive and Cabinet, on FM strategy, risk and performance
What We're Looking For
12. A strategic thinker with senior-level leadership experience in facilities or estate management.
13. Degree-level educated (or equivalent), with a relevant professional qualification (e.g. BIFM, IWFM, CIPS)
14. Deep knowledge of FM best practices in a public sector context, with a sharp focus on compliance, procurement, value for money and sustainability
15. A proven track record in leading major refurbishments, relocations, or capital projects
16. Excellent communication and influencing skills, confident working with senior political and executive leaders
17. A collaborative, innovative, and empowering leadership style
18. A proven track record of leading high-performing teams in a fast-paced, customer-centric environment.
19. Sharp problem-solving ability with an eye for continuous improvement and innovation.
20. Tech-savvy with Microsoft Office proficiency and the ability to get the best from digital tools.
21. You’ll enjoy a hybrid working pattern, combining flexible home working with 3 days working from various sites across the borough.
22. We are unable to offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.
Additional Information
About Southwark Council
Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough Market along with many social enterprises and we have a young, diverse, and growing population.
At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities.
Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.