Job Title : General Services Team Leader Department Estates and Facilities Accommodation and Commercial Services Grade: Grade 5 Salary range: £27,319-£30,378 Working arrangements: Permanent Full time (35 hours per week, primarily Monday to Friday) There may be a requirement to work evenings and weekends as business demands Onsite working only Undertake an element of physical manual handling, which can include lifting and transporting tools, equipment and deliveries. Drive University vehicles to transport equipment to various sites across the University Provide absence cover for the Postal and Delivery team. Closing date: Wednesday 10th September The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here. The Role and Department As the General Services Team Leader, you will play a pivotal role in shaping a high-quality, customer-focused service that is efficient, cost-effective, and consistently exceeds expectations. You will lead the delivery of statutory compliance and service excellence, ensuring the University remains a safe, well-maintained, and welcoming environment for students, staff, visitors, and commercial partners alike. With direct responsibility for the day-to-day supervision of the General Services Assistants, you will inspire and guide your team to uphold the highest standards, fostering a culture of professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement. The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses. Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University, you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: • 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. • No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. • Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. • On site nursery is available and children's clubs in the summer holidays. • Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). • There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. • The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community. • Discounts are available via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. • We offer generous pension schemes. Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University, equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Your application should cover the following criteria: Essential Criteria Qualifications/Experience 1. Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics 2. Professional craftsperson/practitioner with knowledge and expertise in buildings and estates, services, or relevant experience in a similar role. 3. Experience of working within a team to ensure the delivery of high-quality services. 4. Experience of contributing to the delivery of operational excellence within buildings and estate services, or similar professional area. 5. Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues. 6. Experience of managing time to meet deadlines. 7. Experience of supervising a team. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 8. Excellent spoken and written communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally. 9. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems and project planning tools. 10. Knowledge of excellence in providing general services in portering, basic maintenance (DIY) or similar related area, for a large multi-site organisation. 11. Committed to continuing professional development. 12. Ability to solve problems yourself and as part of a team and plan appropriate solutions. 13. Knowledge of health and safety compliance. 14. Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information. Desirable Criteria 1. Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience. 2. Industry or professional knowledge/recognition relevant to the role supported by relevant courses or certification [for example]. 3. Experience of working in or with a higher education institution. 4. Full driving licence. How to apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria, we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from oure-recruitmentsystem. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails. What you are required to submit • A CV • A supporting statement/covering letter, which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification. Contact details If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Stephanie Rolfe, Housekeeping, Cleaning and General Services Manager, stephanie.j.rolfe@durham.ac.uk, or Abbie Bell, Housekeeping, Cleaning and General Services Manager, abbie.pringle@durham.ac.uk, would be happy to speak to you. Typical Role Requirements Service Delivery • Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values. • When carrying out your role, apply relevant industry and professional standards to ensure our facilities are safe, secure and appropriate for public access and use. • Supervise the implementation of changes to procedures and practices relating to your service area. • Respond to queries and provide information/advice, while raising more specialist or complex queries with more experienced team members. • Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role and make recommendations based on your findings. • Monitor and analyse the use of equipment and resources to ensure efficiency and report your findings to senior colleagues. • Manage and monitor the use of components, resources and equipment, including the condition of equipment, complying with the correct procedures for stock management and replacement. • Deliver infrastructure support services to support administrative, business, teaching, research and learning activities across University estates and buildings. • Support the use of assistive technologies, social media and applications to meet security and safety requirements. • Contribute to the preparation and update of safety documents and risk assessments relating to activities across the estate. • Analyse work activities to ensure the effective and efficient use of capital and consumable equipment and resources. • Accurately record data and information and provide reports, as required. • Contribute to management of the delivery services operating budget, to meet budget requirements without compromising stakeholder satisfaction. Planning and Organising • Plan and organise own workload and the activities of other team members to deliver the role. • Organise and schedule assigned resources, activities and events. • Contribute to planning the operational priorities of your team and make suggestions to senior colleagues on how to improve the service. • Monitor processes and activities to ensure team priorities are met. • Help to plan and evaluate the services provided by your area to ensure that requirements from your service are being met Teamwork and Team Development • Support with the recruitment of team members who demonstrate strong functional expertise and a positive 'can do' attitude to work, to meet the needs of the operation. • Supervise and delegate tasks to other members of the team and make sure that they are completed. • Explain systems and procedures to new starters and provide specialist advice and guidance (including any training) to help less experienced team members carry out their role, such as but not limited to, manual handling, safe use of equipment, fire training, etc. • Contribute to performance review processes by providing feedback on individual and team objectives and expectations and considering any development needs. • Provide specialist support and advice to team members on areas of expertise. • Make changes to the services provided by your team in discussion with other team members. • Identify opportunities and contribute to decisions on how to improve services being delivered by the team. • Act as the first point of contact for welfare issues within own team, such as monitoring attendance and absence levels, coordinating staff cover, managing poor performance and implementing personal improvement plans, in accordance with University policies. Communication/Liaison • Use your knowledge and expertise to provide advice and guidance to resolve problems and respond to a wide range of queries. • Assist colleagues to achieve operational service requirements, planning, carrying out and documenting evaluations and tests, to ensure stakeholder requirements are met. • Create good working relationships with other team members and anyone else that you come across as part of your role to work together on joint activities. • Create good working relationships with internal and external partners and suppliers to work together on joint activities. • Build relationships with contacts to share good practice and exchange information. • Liaise with outside agencies, local authorities, suppliers and visitors, to ensure that services are safe and secure. • Any other reasonable duties. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement, which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.