At Places for People, we hire People, not numbers.If this role sounds right for you, we'd encourage you to apply. Experience and qualifications matter, but we are equally focused on people who live our People Promises – doing the right thing, taking ownership, showing respect, supporting community and delivering consistently high standards.
As part of the Places for People Group, PFP Students provides facilities management services to university campuses and student accommodation across the UK. Our approach is built on partnership, statutory compliance and delivering a first-class student experience.
Join a team that genuinely cares about the communities it supports.
More about your role
Due to continued growth, we are recruiting a Hard Services Manager on a permanent basis. This role is site-based, five days per week at:
The Copse, Capon Road, Colchester, CO4 3ZT
You will lead and coordinate all hard services activity across site, ensuring the accommodation remains safe, compliant, functional and well maintained at all times.
This is not just a technical role. The administrative and compliance elements are critical. You will be accountable for:
1. Planning and delivering the full Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programme
2. Managing lifecycle replacement schedules
3. Coordinating reactive maintenance
4. Maintaining accurate asset registers
5. Ensuring O&M manuals are kept fully up to date
6. Producing performance reports, budget information and compliance records
7. Managing contractor documentation, audits and statutory certification
8. Maintaining auditable Health & Safety inspection records
9. Updating risk assessments and safe systems of work
10. Using CAFM and other IT systems to record, monitor and evidence compliance
You will report to the General Manager and lead the on-site Maintenance team, providing clear direction, technical expertise and professional oversight. You will also deputise in the General Manager's absence where required.
Health and Safety, statutory compliance and documentation control are fundamental to this role. You must be confident in managing compliance frameworks and ensuring records stand up to audit scrutiny.
Participation in an out-of-hours standby and call-out rota is required.
A Basic DBS check is mandatory.
More about you
Essential Experience
11. Buildings maintenance or facilities management
12. Managing and leading staff
13. Delivering PPM programmes and building maintenance
14. Complying with Health, Safety and Environmental regulations
15. Using computerised maintenance / CAFM systems
Essential Qualifications
16. City & Guilds Level 3 trade qualification (e.g. electrical, plumbing or equivalent)
17. Minimum of 4 GCSEs (Grade A–C) including Maths and English (or equivalent)
18. Full UK Driving Licence
Desirable Qualifications
19. Leadership qualification
20. Health & Safety or Environmental qualification
21. ONC/HNC in mechanical or electrical discipline
22. First Aid qualification
23. Manual Handling training
24. Customer Service training
Skills and Knowledge
25. High attention to detail, particularly in record keeping and compliance
26. Strong working knowledge of Health & Safety legislation
27. Good understanding of mechanical and electrical systems
28. Experience working within multi-occupancy buildings (e.g. student accommodation, hotels, care settings)
You will be organised, methodical and confident managing both the operational delivery and the administrative control that underpins statutory compliance.
The benefits
We are a large, diverse and ambitious organisation offering stability, progression and genuine opportunity to develop your career.
Our benefits package includes:
29. Buying and selling holidays
30. Pension with matched contributions
31. Ongoing training and development
32. Retail, leisure and lifestyle discounts
If you are technically capable, compliance-focused and ready to take ownership of a critical site leadership role, we would welcome your application.