Welcome to Ada! 

At Ada our mission is to educate and empower the next generation of diverse digital talent.  We are a ground-breaking college working closely with industry to design and deliver an education that supports our students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds and young women, into highly skilled digital roles and to lead flourishing lives more broadly. We run a high-performing sixth form for those interested in tech as well as Higher Level and Degree Apprenticeships working with 30+ companies such as Deloitte, Expedia, Google and many others. 

The College has grown quickly since opening in September 2016 and we now have campuses in London and Manchester. We’re passionate about building a supportive, values driven environment for both our students and staff and this is where you come in!

We are looking for a professional and self-motivated individual, who could be looking to take the next step in their facilities management career with practical maintenance experience, a good understanding of health and safety in an education environment, excellent communication skills and the ability to be flexible. The ideal candidate will ensure that the College premises are maintained to a high standard to provide a safe and welcoming environment for our learners, staff and visitors.

We welcome applications from experienced Facilities Managers, and those looking to take the next step in their Facilities career.

Job Purpose

To manage the site of Ada’s London Victoria campus, 1 Sutherland Street, so that it is operating safely and efficiently. This involves liaising with contractors and suppliers to plan, coordinate and implement the inspection, maintenance and repair of the internal and external fabric of the building and any machinery or plant within the building. To be responsible for the Health and Safety compliance of the site and oversee the security of the premises to provide a safe and secure environment for all learners, staff and visitors.

Main duties and responsibilities

Facilities management

• Manage the opening and closing of the College for normal hours of operation
• For out of hours College events or venue hire, arrange for the opening and closing of the building and necessary services (heating, cleaning, equipment etc). Liaise with the wider premises team for cover arrangements for these out of hours events.
• Be the principal registered Key Holder, attend call outs and take appropriate action, put in place arrangements for dealing with emergencies which occur outside normal working hours.
• Work with the Head of Premises, and wider premises team, to put in place cost effective facilities management and cleaning contracts for the building and manage those contracts on an ongoing basis.
• Coordinate and implement routine inspections, repairs, redecoration/refurbishments of the College building, equipment and external environment, including annual, monthly, weekly and daily inspections.
• Investigate and report site issues promptly, providing possible solutions, obtaining quotes and initiating repair / maintenance
• Manage and supervise any building contractors undertaking work on the College’s premises. Ensure that any issues with contractors are promptly followed up.
• Work with the appropriate contractors to operate and maintain the building’s systems (e.g. heating and ventilation systems) to an effective standard
• Carry out minor repairs and practical jobs where this is within your expertise
• Plan and manage all room preparation requests for College events such as assemblies, meetings, industry projects/speakers and events and ensure that they are actioned in a timely manner.
• Establish and implement a key identification and management system for access to all College areas.
• Maintain inventories of College equipment (excluding IT equipment) including plant equipment

Security and Health and Safety

• Support the annual health and safety audit and ensure that routine health and safety checks are carried out and results recorded including:
  • portable electrical equipment
  • water risk assessment
  • fire risk assessment
  • fire call points and fire fighting devices
  • intruder alarms
  • emergency lighting
  • CCTV systems and warning alarms
• Ensure that health and safety regulations are complied with, including all necessary H&S signage, regularly reviewing the College’s procedures and ensuring that they are compliant.
• Implement Health & Safety Policy at all times, review and assess at regular intervals or as the situation or legislation changes.
• Responsible for site security from the start to the end of the College day including daily inspection of the site, monitoring CCTV activity and retrieving data when required.
• Ensure that appropriate areas are gritted or salted during adverse weather conditions and provide safe access to the College in the event of snow, ice or flooding.
• Be the College representative for the Police Liaison Officer

Other general duties

• Working closely with the Facilities Manager in our Manchester campus and wider Premises colleagues, ensure processes and procedures remain aligned across both sites.
• Remain contactable whilst on duty
• Monitor energy use, water consumption and waste and suggest improvements to support our sustainability agenda.
• Ensure that prior to going on leave, a full handover of keys and duties is given to the nominated cover person and handover upon return from leave.
• To maintain manual and computerised logs of work undertaken, records and information as necessary.

Other Requirements:

• Passion for Ada’s mission and in particular working with young people and adults to help improve their life chances
• A commitment to on-going personal development
• A willingness to work flexibly and, on occasion, where necessary, outside of normal working hours including weekends
• Suitable to work with young people and vulnerable adults in accordance with Government guidelines for safeguarding.

Duties and responsibilities of the post may change over time as requirements and circumstances change.

Person Specification

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate the following desired qualifications and experience, qualities and skills:

• Hold recognised training/qualifications associated with facilities management, or be willing to work towards facilities management qualifications
• Have at least two years relevant experience
• The ability to understand and apply regulations such as health & safety, manual handling, COSHE, Legionella etc.
• The ability to operate and understand electrical/mechanical systems.
• Risk assessment experience/qualification.
• Ability to perform the physical tasks required by the post including lifting, carrying and pushing various equipment.

• Ability to manage third party contractors professionally and get the best out of them.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English with wide range of people from students to senior College staff and visitors
• Proficient in Google Workspace / MS Office
• A team player

Safeguarding

The successful candidate will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check when appointed to the post. Further information about the DBS is found at www.gov.uk.

The postholder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults with whom they come into contact, is to adhere to and ensure compliance with the College’s Safeguarding Policy at all times.

Equal opportunities

Ada. National College for Digital Skills recognises that equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity are integral to its strengths. The following principles apply in respect of the College’s commitment to equality and diversity:

• To provide and promote equality of opportunity in all areas of its work and activity;
• To recognise and develop the diversity of skills and talent within its current and potential community;
• To ensure that all employees and prospective employees of the College are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential without receiving any unjustified discrimination or unfavourable treatment on grounds such as age, disability, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender reassignment, trans status, socio-economic status or any other irrelevant distinction;
• To provide and promote a positive working, learning, and social environment which is free from prejudice, discrimination and any forms of harassment, bullying or victimisation; and
• To promote good relations between individuals from different groups.

Applicants with disabilities

Ada. National College for Digital Skills is keen to increase the number of disabled people it employs. We, therefore, encourage applications from individuals with a disability who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If you have special needs in relation to your application please contact hr@ada.ac.uk  

Sponsorship

Sadly, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role so can only accept applications from candidates who have the legal right to work and remain in the United Kingdom.

How to apply for the role

Please complete our application form and email it to jobs@ada.ac.uk by 11.00 on 7 August 2024.

The job description is designed to outline a range of main duties that may be encountered. It is not designed to be an exhaustive listing of tasks and can be varied in consultation with the post holder in order to reflect changes in the role or needs of the organisation.

All appointments are subject to a clear enhanced DBS and satisfactory references.

Thank you for your interest in the role and good luck with your application!