We’re a values-driven, charitable organisation on a mission to make a real difference in Sunderland. Every day, we provide more than 60,000 people with a place they’re proud to call home. Our vision is clear: everyone deserves a good-quality home they can afford. We invest millions of pounds each year to keep our homes safe and decent, while also playing a part in tackling the UK housing crisis by building hundreds of modern, energy-efficient homes for rent right here in Sunderland. If you share our passion for creating thriving communities and want to be part of something that truly matters, we’d love for you to join us and help achieve our vision. If you have any accessibility needs or require adjustments, please let us know—we’re here to support you. We may close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if we receive a large number of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered. Salary : £48,975.00 Job Description: Maintenance Manager (Repairs & Maintenance) We’re excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Maintenance Manager to join Gentoo’s Repairs & Maintenance team, following an upcoming retirement. This is a key leadership role where you’ll guide our Assistant Managers and skilled trade colleagues, ensuring our repair service is delivered efficiently, safely, and to the highest standard. In the position of Maintenance Manager, you will play a vital role in planning, coordinating, and overseeing repair and maintenance work across our domestic and commercial properties. From day‑to‑day repairs to specialist trades, you’ll ensure services, inspections, and follow‑on works are completed, recorded, and quality‑checked. The team are currently based at our Doxford Park head office— and moving to our brand‑new site at Eastgate Point later this year. Click here for more information. Construction work begins on site for new Gentoo depot at Eastgate Point - Gentoo Group Your remit will span a wide range of disciplines, including joinery, plumbing, gas, electrical, roofing, damp/technical inspections, fire doors, and more. You’ll help manage disrepair cases, support planned works, and champion best‑practice health, safety, and risk management across all areas. Working closely with the Operations Manager, you’ll help us deliver a high‑quality repair service that meets legislative and regulatory requirements while ensuring our customers, colleagues, and stakeholders receive an excellent experience every time. We support a great work-life balance with our standard 36-hour working week, Monday to Friday, including a 2 pm finish time on Fridays, giving you more time for the things that matter to you. We are proud to be certified as a “Great Place To Work”. A full UK driving licence and a basic DBS check (arranged and funded by Gentoo) are required for this position. What you will be doing: Lead and support your team to maximise productivity, performance and quality, delivering a value‑for‑money service. Provide visible, positive leadership that fosters a high‑performing, motivated team culture. Ensure all works are delivered safely and compliantly, maintaining up‑to‑date knowledge of relevant Health & Safety legislation and standards. Oversee and manage projects from planning to completion, ensuring work is delivered to agreed targets and KPIs. Champion the Group’s vision, mission and values in everything you do. Help embed a value‑for‑money and upskilling culture across the team. Provide strong on‑site management, technical guidance and quality control. Positively challenge and support colleagues to drive continuous improvement in performance. Monitor all works—including subcontracted and compliance‑related tasks—to ensure timely completion and robust QA/QC checks. Build strong relationships with customers, delivering excellent service and proactively resolving complaints. Produce, maintain and enforce risk assessments, method statements and other Health & Safety documentation. Coordinate asbestos management within properties. Work closely with schedulers and trade teams to plan and deliver work efficiently. Collaborate with Housing Management teams to ensure empty homes are turned around within target timescales. Manage materials, orders and administration to support smooth project delivery. Support the performance management of contractors and in‑house teams to ensure value, safety, and high‑quality outcomes. Take part in the duty manager rota as part of the emergency standby procedure. What We’re Looking For A working background in construction/repairs and maintenance, supported by a relevant qualification and solid knowledge of CDM regulations and wider housing legislation. Confidence in ability to apply this to ensure safe, compliant, and well‑managed services across both in‑house teams and contractors. Demonstrable people leader experience with a track record of motivating teams, managing performance, and delivering results to tight timescales. You’ll be skilled in planning and organising workloads, overseeing maintenance works, and driving efficiency across repairs and compliance‑related activity. Proven experience managing contracts, monitoring performance, and using accurate data and management information—including financial reports—to inform decisions. Strong negotiation skills and the ability to challenge appropriately will help you resolve issues effectively and maintain high standards on all projects. A commitment to excellent customer service is essential. You’ll champion a customer‑focused culture, ensuring all colleagues and subcontractors respect our customers and their homes, and that quality workmanship is consistently delivered. You will also need to be able to demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement, work well both independently and as part of a wider team, communicate clearly, adapt to changing demands, and contribute to an empowered, collaborative, and innovative working environment. Some of our great benefits include: 31 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with an option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year. Early finish on Fridays Flexible and hybrid working. Free Health Cash Plan, with cashback for dental, optical, physio, wellbeing therapies and more, with some free child cover. Access to private healthcare through the Health Cash Plan. Competitive Aviva pension scheme - Gentoo will contribute up to 10% based on your personal contribution. Salary sacrifice electric vehicle scheme Enhanced family-friendly leave Car mileage allowance if you use your personal vehicle for business purposes. Life assurance cover to the value of 3 times your annual salary