Assistant Director of Facilities Management

Description

We are looking for a bold, inclusive and visionary leader to take on the role of Assistant Director of Facilities Management for Richmond & Wandsworth Councils. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to shape the future of facilities management across two dynamic London boroughs, leading a committed team of around 70 staff and overseeing a diverse and complex estate of more than 500 properties. The role offers the chance to influence how our spaces support public services, community wellbeing and environmental sustainability, ensuring our buildings are not only well-managed but actively contribute to our wider strategic goals and support income generation for both Councils.

This is a leadership role with real breadth and impact. You will be responsible for the strategic direction and operational delivery of facilities management across a wide range of corporate and operational sites, including Civic and staff offices, depots, libraries and other community buildings. You will ensure that our properties are safe, compliant and resilient, while driving forward innovation in areas such as energy efficiency, digital infrastructure and sustainable design. You will lead on statutory compliance, health and safety and emergency planning, while embedding a culture of continuous improvement and customer focus across the service.

You will be a trusted advisor to senior officers and elected Members, providing expert guidance on all aspects of facilities management and contributing to wider corporate priorities. You will manage significant budgets and contracts, lead complex change programmes and work closely with internal and external partners to deliver services that are efficient, responsive and aligned with our commitment to achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030. Your leadership will be key to ensuring our FM services are value for money, future-ready, agile, accountable and able to meet the evolving needs of our communities.

We are looking for someone with a strong track record of leadership in facilities management, ideally within a complex public sector or multi-site environment. You will bring a deep understanding of both strategic and operational FM, with experience managing in-house teams and external contractors, and a clear commitment to service excellence. You will be confident navigating competing priorities, able to communicate with clarity and influence at all levels, and skilled at building relationships that foster collaboration and innovation.

At Richmond & Wandsworth, we believe in the power of public service to improve lives. We embrace difference, think bigger and put people first, whether that is our residents, our staff or our partners. We are proud of our inclusive culture and are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. If you are ready to lead by example, drive meaningful change and make a lasting impact in a role that combines strategic leadership with operational delivery, we would love to hear from you.

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Further info

For more information, please visit our website https://join-richmondandwandsworth.com/ and contact our search partners Ben Parsonage (ben.parsonage@gatenbysanderson.com) or Delicia Coutinho (delicia.coutinho@gatenbysanderson.com) at GatenbySanderson.