Facilities Manager

Facilities Manager

  • Salary range: Between £39,748 – £44,166
  • Based at Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire, UK
  • Contract: Open-ended
  • Reports to: Deputy Director- Operations
  • Hours: Full-time (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)

Who are we?

As part of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is leading a programme to establish a National Quantum Computing Centre, which includes a commitment of £93m over 5 years, dedicated to drive development in the field of Quantum Computing and to place the UK at the forefront of the field. The Centre is a joint initiative of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

A purpose-built National Quantum Computing Centre will be built and operated by UKRI at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) campus in Oxfordshire. The Centre will be open and operational by December 2022. Until then, the NQCC’s activities are taking place in other facilities on the Harwell Campus or at partnering institutions. The NQCC will sit alongside other departments within the STFC National Laboratories and will be part of the broader National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP).

The primary purpose of the NQCC is to fill a key gap in the research and innovation landscape addressing the challenge of scaling quantum computing. However, this technology is immature and extensive development work is needed to scale the fundamental science to provide usable computing systems.

The NQCC’s initial 5 years will focus on developing a Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) machine to demonstrate the technology as well as software, algorithm and applications development. The longer-term aim is to scale the technology towards an error and noise-free fault-tolerant machine capability with benchmarking and verification demonstrated in collaboration with the UK and international partners. The NQCC will give assured and direct access to early prototype machines to developers and promote the formation of a strong UK-based quantum computing supply chain.

What’s the purpose of this role?

We have a brand-new role for an experienced Facilities Manager with extensive operational delivery of scientific laboratory and high-performance computing delivered through a mix of in-house and partner services coupled with technical expertise in a relevant discipline to support the delivery of the NQCC core objectives.    Initial responsibilities will include the design and delivery of operational procedures to ensure safe and secure operation of the Centre both through the design, construction, commissioning phase and transition phase to operational delivery with high availability and stakeholder satisfaction.   Longer-term responsibilities will be to maintain core services and minimise downtime.

What will I be doing?

  • Design and manage the overall services provided within the facility
  • Use best practices to manage operational costs and value for money
  • Assist with the organisation of maintenance contracts for core equipment/plant within the facility
  • Ensure high levels of operational uptime are delivered through proactive management, maintenance and backup of utilities and facility services
  • Liaise appropriately with departments and groups when core equipment or services fail and ensure that they are appraised of progress and events; organise replacement equipment and services to minimise downtime
  • Assist the departments and groups to ensure the adequate and suitable provision of liquid nitrogen and gases whether piped, cylinder or cryogenic, within clear safety guidelines and operating procedures
  • Create and manage operating budgets for facility management and maintenance
  • Manage the maintenance of the building by performing repairs or contracting maintenance services
  • Track and maintain asset records, usage, and maintenance
  • Track building upkeep as well as anticipated long- and short-term improvements and maintenance
  • Create a suitable environment for the purpose and needs of the facility and support facility user training
  • Keep the surrounding grounds, terrace and recreation spaces properly cared for and landscaped
  • Work in tandem with the Security Officer to ensure facility security including the operation of alarms and access control systems, and the CCTV coverage of the managed premises
  • Work in tandem with the Safety Officer to ensure safe working practices and staff well-being at all times
  • Respond to facility emergency situations, urgent issues and ensure an adequate out-of-hours response
  • Drive Continuous Improvement within the Centre.

Person Specification

(Please note the below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting or Interview stage as indicated)

Qualifications:

Essential:

  • Be educated to degree level or HNC/HND in a relevant business management, facilities management, or related field or offer significant proven experience. (S&I)

Desirable:

  • Membership of a facilities management professional body. (S&I)
Experience/Attributes:

We offer significant development opportunities at the NQCC, but as a starting point you should be able to demonstrate some of the following;

Essential:

  • Project Management experience in the field of engineering plant installation, safety, and upkeep (S&I)
  • Knowledge of working in safety and security-critical environment (S)
  • Demonstrable commitment to safe working practices and the well-being of facility users and visitors (S&I)
  • Good knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety legislation and requirements as they relate to the scientific workplace (S)
  • Substantive experience of working in a complex environment in a facilities management role, and experience in project management (S&I)
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to engage appropriately with staff across a range of levels and with tact and subtlety (S&I)
  • Ability to recognise and respond to the needs of researchers and staff within the facility and take care of challenging pressures (I)
  • A good level of computer literacy with experience in building management system software, security system software, access control zones, etc.  (S&I)
  • Procurement experience including the tendering of maintenance contracts and services (I)
  • Familiarity with governing legislation and associated working practices (I)
  • Demonstrate a solid track record of facilities management with proven budgeting experience (S&I)
  • Experience of equipment, electrical and plant maintenance, record keeping and documentation (S)
  • A good understanding of basic engineering principles and manufacturing drawings (S&I)
  • Familiarity with building upkeep, structural issues and grounds maintenance. (S&I)

Desirable:

  • Experience of project delivery within an ISO9001 quality management system (S)
  • Understanding of laboratory environments, optical and superconducting equipment and maintenance (I)
  • Understanding of high-performance computing and/or relevant related technologies (S&I)
  • Procurement experience, including establishing maintenance contracts and services (S&I)
  • Appreciation of Risk Analysis Methods and Risk Mitigation Techniques (I)
  • Experience using and developing Product Lifecycle Management systems (S&I)
  • Familiarity with UKRI policies and procedures. (I)

You would need to be available to occasionally travel/work within the UK and overseas when required

Employee Benefits

UK Research and Innovation recognises and values employees as individuals and aim to provide a pay and rewards package that motivates staff to perform to the best of their ability. The reward package includes a flexible working scheme, a Career Average Revalued Earnings pension scheme, 30 days annual leave allowance, and a number of other benefits.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) 

The STFC is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world.

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we’re trusted to support, enable and undertake ground-breaking projects in an outstanding diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we’re driving progressive advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates an impact on a very tangible, human scale.

For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/ 

You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI) 

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

How we support EDI in the workforce 

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.

How to apply 

Online applications are only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the file name description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

Additional Information