The Vacancy
Facilities Manager
Location: Cambridgeshire
We are seeking an experienced and proactive Facilities Manager to lead the safe, efficient and compliant delivery of facilities operations across our site in Cambridgeshire.
This is a high‑impact role responsible for managing contractor activities, overseeing compliance processes, and driving a strong health & safety culture while ensuring maintenance and project works are delivered on time and to the highest standards.
🔧 About the Role
As Facilities Manager, you will take ownership of site compliance, contractor governance and operational delivery, including:
1. Leading and managing the facilities function, ensuring smooth day‑to‑day operations across the site.
2. Overseeing the preparation, review, authorisation and monitoring of permits‑to‑work and associated compliance documentation.
3. Ensuring contractors are properly inducted, authorised and working in line with WPS Health & Safety, CDM and statutory requirements.
4. Acting as the primary liaison between contractors, FM teams and internal stakeholders.
5. Monitoring on‑site works to ensure safety, quality and performance standards are met, including sub‑contractor activity.
6. Managing electronic FM or permit‑to‑work systems, ensuring accurate data, uptime and accessibility.
7. Leading reviews of documentation (RAMS, CPP, and safety plans) to confirm suitability and sufficiency before works commence.
8. Conducting or overseeing audits, inspections and performance checks, identifying trends and areas for improvement.
9. Maintaining up‑to‑date site plans, highlighting all live works, access restrictions and high‑risk areas.
10. Driving continuous improvement across systems, processes and contractor onboarding.
11. Supporting the successful delivery of maintenance and project works, ensuring safe, timely and cost‑effective outcomes.
12. Playing a key role in achieving FM KPIs and ensuring the site remains compliant, efficient and well‑managed.
🤝 What We’re Looking For
Essential:
13. Background in Engineering, Construction, M&E or Facilities Management with experience managing permit‑to‑work or compliance processes.
14. Strong knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation and CDM.
15. Proven experience with Quality, Safety, Health & Environmental systems.
16. Strong understanding of statutory compliance, regulations and standards.
17. Confident IT skills (Outlook, Excel, Word) with experience of document management or permit systems (e.g., Aconex, Buzzsaw, or similar).
18. Experience managing both large and small‑scale FM or construction projects.
19. Strong organisational, leadership and motivational skills.
20. Experience conducting audits, inspections or health & safety reviews.
21. NEBOSH General/Construction Certificate (or similar).
Desirable:
22. Formal qualification in Engineering, Construction or an M&E discipline.
23. Authorised Person experience in areas such as: hot works, confined spaces, electrical, LOTO, working at height, pressure systems, etc.
24. Membership of IOSH, APS, CIOB, RICS or another relevant professional body.
🌟 What You’ll Bring
25. Clear, confident communication skills across all levels.
26. Strong collaboration and relationship‑building capability.
27. Leadership presence with the ability to influence and guide contractors and internal teams.
28. Innovative mindset and comfort challenging unsafe or non‑compliant practices.
29. Results‑driven approach with integrity, professionalism and attention to detail.
30. A personable, solutions‑focused attitude with a “can‑do” approach to teamwork.
Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks.
Work for Wates
Wates is one of the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies. Founded over 125 years ago, we have a proud legacy in the built environment.
We are driven by our purpose, ‘reimagining places for people to thrive’ and our three promises:
Thriving places – working with customers, partners and communities to create places that are more sustainable, inclusive, and full of opportunity.
Thriving planet – protecting nature and taking action on climate change by collaborating and innovating with our partners.
Thriving people – creating opportunities and relationships so that everyone who works for and with us feels included, invested in, and treated with care.
We are proud to be recognised as Gold Investors in People and as a Disability Confident employer. We also ensure that our recruitment processes do not treat anyone less favourably due to an offending background.
Awards
BEST PROJECT
Inside Housing Development Awards
WINNER
2022 Construction News Awards Winner
GOLD AWARD
Investors in People 2022
GOLD AWARD
Considerate Constructors Schemes (CCS) National Site Awards
TOP 50 EMPLOYERS
2022 Top 50 Employers for Women
WINNER
2022 Working Families Best Practice Awards