Facilities Manager

Facilities Manager

Salary: £28,000 per annum. We will consider applications for flexible working, and job-sharing.

Contract: Full-time, permanent. We will consider applications for flexible working, and job-sharing.

Three-month probationary period. Annual leave allowance is 25 days per annum, plus Bank Holidays. Unicorn staff are auto-enrolled into the NEST pension scheme. Notice period is one month during the probationary period (on either side), thereafter 2 months.

Closing date for applications: Midday, Monday 22 August 2022

Interviews: Friday 26 August 2022

Role Summary:

With the support of the Production & Technical Director, to lead on the day to day provision of all building services and contracts, making sure that the Unicorn building meets the needs of all its users as efficiently, safely, and cost-effectively as possible whilst ensuring compliance with Health and Safety regulations, all licensing requirements, and the sustainability aims of the Unicorn Theatre.

Reporting to: Production & Technical Director

Responsible for: Supervision of contractors

Works closely with: Technical Manager
General Manager
Visitor Experience Manager

Liaises with: Technicians
Stage Door Team

Key Responsibilities:
• To liaise with the Stage Door team, who are responsible for opening and securing the building each day, to ensure regular and statutory building monitoring tasks are completed, to create and supervise systems to ensure that all tasks are logged and monitored e.g. fire extinguisher checks, fire alarm and refuge system testing, emergency and building lighting checks, exit routes, fault reporting etc.
• To lead refresher training sessions for the Stage Door team to familiarise them with the building’s systems e.g. fire and security systems, CCTV, refuge systems etc
• To act as first response to any building emergencies such as leaks, power outages, heating loss, fire alarms, and basic plumbing issues.
• Planned and preventative maintenance: proactively undertake any general repairs and redecoration (including doors, hardware, fixtures, basic plumbing, and replacement of routine consumables), schedule maintenance activities and liaise with and supervise third party sub-contractors.
• Ensure regular statutory tests and inspections are completed on a regular basis e.g. lamp rounds, fire and security systems, PAT and emergency lighting. Monitoring building control systems to ensure services are performing appropriately
• Reactive maintenance: monitor facilities, log breakdowns, schedule and undertake work or supervise third party sub-contractors as required
• Ensure that all CCTV equipment is operational throughout all theatre buildings in order to meet the Theatre’s Data Protection, security and insurance requirements
• Under the direction of the Production and Technical Director, schedule and monitor building maintenance contracts e.g. security and fire alarms, refuge systems, fire extinguishers, CCTV, plant and associated equipment, gas and electrical systems, gas compliance and electrical safety inspections, lifts and water testing. To ensure that all certification and paperwork is regularly monitored, logged, and maintained, and to attend regular monitoring meetings
• To lead on the BMS software systems for maintaining and monitoring HVAC systems for the theatre, as well as weekly BMS programing to ensure the most efficient use of HVAC systems.
• To ensure that all maintenance work carried out abides by? health and safety legislation, implementing safe systems of work as required, in particular within public areas
• Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant health and safety legislation, ensuring all work on the premises is carried out safely and that the premises are safe for the use for which they are intended, as per the Unicorn Theatre’s Health and Safety Policy and Safety Arrangements.
• As directed by the Production and Technical Director, to create and monitor risk assessments relevant to the buildings activities and to monitor compliance with approved risk assessments and method statements by third party contractors reporting any issues to the Production and Technical Director
• To support and ensure compliance with the Unicorn’s environmental policy looking at means to ensure best practice, and proactively researching ways to reduce the building’s environmental footprint.
• Assist with evacuations and evacuation training as necessary
• To work with the Technical Manager to allocate and supervise technical staff in the completion of both planned and reactive maintenance as production schedules allow.
• On occasion, supervise the premises when they are used by the Unicorn or by external hirers outside normal working hours e.g. evenings and weekends
• To work with the Technical Manager on the set up of the building for each day’s activities, including portering duties (e.g. furniture and equipment) and basic technical duties (e.g. laptop and projector)
• To provide basic construction services/technical support to other Unicorn departments e.g. Front of House foyer installations
• To ensure stocks of all necessary maintenance, cleaning and sanitising supplies and equipment
• To prepare reports on maintenance issues including budgeting and costing as required by the Production and Technical Director
• Authorise and sign off invoices on satisfactory completion of works within agreed budgets, and maintain the Facilities budget ledger.
• Alongside the General Manager and Production and Technical Director, liaise and coordinate with the estates team at More London.
• To attend all Health and Safety meetings, and any other staff meetings as required
• Interest in and engagement with the wider cultural life of the Unicorn Theatre, active support of press nights and company-wide events.
• Any other duties considered reasonable by the line manager

This role is responsible for the management of the following systems:
HVAC (heating, ventilation, cooling)
Fire Alarm
Security (Door access, CCTV, Intruder Alarm, keys)
Electrical (Main building intake and distribution)
Plumbing (water supplies, drainage)
Access (Lifts, doors, shutters)
Building Management System
General Maintenance (carpentry, painting, fixings)
IT and Networking

This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required of this position and is not wholly definitive. It is anticipated that aspects of the role may change and further develop to best suit the needs and users of the Unicorn.

Qualifications:
• Qualification in building maintenance, facilities management or related field, or demonstrable on the job experience.
• Qualification in Health and Safety Management ie. IOSH Managing Safely Certificate, NCRQ Level 3 Safety for Managers or similar
• PAL card (desirable)
• Full clean driving licence

Knowledge and Experience:
• At least two years’ experience in a similar role
• Practical knowledge of building maintenance
• Good knowledge of maintenance contract management
• Solid understanding of Health and Safety
• Experience preparing and implementing risk assessments
• Experience managing budgets, costing and forecasting projects
• Experience of contractor procurement, management and supervision
• Experience with Permit to Work systems

Personal Qualities:
• Practical and adaptable able to respond to situations as they arise
• Proven interest in sustainability and reducing environmental impact
• Attention to detail
• Methodical and thorough with the ability to set up and implement systems of working
• High standards of work and professionalism especially around provision of public services
• Proactive attitude and good problem solving skills
• Ability to prioritise in a busy environment
• Willingness and ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to motivate and manage a variety of team members, contractors and other stakeholders
• An interest in the performing arts

We create new, inventive and enthralling performances for every stage of childhood. We believe in the imaginative power of theatre to transform young lives.

We are the largest children’s theatre in the UK, specialising in developing new devised and written shows alongside adaptations of classic texts, offering an innovative and inspiring year-round programme of sector-leading theatre for children.

Our purpose-built home at London Bridge (opened in 2005) is a creative and welcoming space designed with and for young people. Our building comprises two theatre spaces (Weston Theatre at around 290-seat capacity and Clore Theatre at around 90-seat capacity) plus two rehearsal spaces, along with backstage set, prop and costume facilities. We produce and present a thrilling and varied programme, exploring stories, ideas and themes that enrich and broaden children’s view of the world. We welcome 65,000 families and schools every year, reaching thousands more via Unicorn Online.

The Unicorn has a turnover of around £2.8 million. In a regular year, over 20% of income comes from Box Office – with almost all tickets being sold to children at concessionary rates – and we raise a similar amount from fundraising.

We believe that young people of all ages, perspectives and abilities have the right to access exciting, entertaining and inspiring work - we want all children to experience our theatre and actively seek out children wouldn’t otherwise attend. The theatre’s audiences are broadly defined as families and schools, and the theatre plays to all ages from six months to 13 years. We maintain a strong commitment to representing diversity in our audiences, as well as on our stages, and we prioritise accessibility and inclusion across our organisation.

During the coronavirus pandemic, we innovated in new forms of digital theatre and are proud to have been able to offer high quality, creative and award-winning online theatre experiences for free. Digital theatre is now a part of our future strategy and firmly embedded in our mission.