At Places for People, we hire People, not numbers! So, if you like the sound of one of our jobs, please apply - you could be just who we're looking for! Of course, experience and track record are important, but we're more interested in hiring someone that embodies our People Promises. That's someone that does the right thing, is enthusiastic and motivated to grow, believes in Community spirit, is respectful and enjoys their work. As the UK's leading Social Enterprise we're dedicated to creating inclusive and thriving Communities for both our Customers and Employees. 

So, what are you waiting for? Join a community that cares about you! 

More about your role 

Are you an experienced Maintenance Supervisor with a strong technical background and a passion for leading engineering teams?

We're looking for a hands-on Maintenance Supervisor to join our team at the prestigious Royal College of Art (RCA), supporting one of the most unique and exciting estates in London.

The Royal College of Art is a world-leading postgraduate university of art and design, with a diverse estate comprising specialist workshops, studios, teaching spaces, laboratories, offices, public areas and student accommodation. No two days are the same.

This role is ideal for an established Maintenance Supervisor who combines strong mechanical or building services knowledge with proven experience managing engineers, contractors, compliance activities and planned maintenance programmes.

Working closely with the Hard Services Manager, you'll play a key role in ensuring the safe, compliant and effective operation of the estate while supporting, coaching and developing the engineering team.

What You'll Be Doing

• Supervising a team of maintenance engineers and technicians,
• Leading the delivery of planned preventative maintenance (PPM) and reactive maintenance,
• Acting as a technical point of escalation for engineers and contractors,
• Supporting fault-finding and diagnosis across building services systems and plant,
• Managing contractors, permits to work and safe systems of work,
• Monitoring statutory compliance activities and maintaining associated records,
• Ensuring health, safety and environmental standards are consistently achieved,
• Maintaining and updating CAFM systems and maintenance records,
• Planning and coordinating repairs, minor works and maintenance projects,
• Coaching and developing engineers, helping to build technical capability within the team.

Essential Criteria

• Experience in a Maintenance Supervisor, Lead Engineer or similar supervisory position
• Level 3 technical qualification (NVQ, City & Guilds, BTEC or equivalent) in Mechanical, Electrical or Building Services Engineering
• Strong hands-on experience within building maintenance, facilities management or a similar environment
• Proven experience delivering planned preventative maintenance (PPM) and reactive maintenance
• Experience supervising maintenance teams and specialist contractors
• Sound understanding of statutory compliance and health and safety requirements within a maintenance environment
• Experience using CAFM systems
• Strong fault-finding and problem-solving skills

Desirable

• Mechanical bias with experience of HVAC systems, pumps, AHUs, LTHW systems and associated plant
• IOSH Managing Safely or similar qualification
• Experience working within a complex commercial, education, healthcare or public-sector estate
• Knowledge of SFG20 maintenance standards

More About You

• You're a leader who enjoys being visible, supporting engineers and setting high technical standards. You're comfortable balancing practical maintenance supervision with contractor management, compliance administration and planning activities.
• Most importantly, you're someone engineers respect because of your technical knowledge and willingness to support the team when challenges arise.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to work within a unique and inspiring environment where facilities management directly supports world-class education, research and creativity. You'll be part of a collaborative team, working across a varied estate while helping to shape and develop engineering standards for the future.

Benefits 

We are a large diverse and ambitious business, which will give you all the challenge you could wish for. 

We know that there's always more we can do to make you smile, that's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package with each role, yours will include: 

• Competitive salary with regular annual review
• Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
• Bonus scheme for colleagues at 2%
• 35 days holiday (including bank holiday) with option to buy or sell days
• Healthcare cashback plan for everyday medical costs - up to £500 savings per year
• Access to wellbeing support such as counselling and flu jabs
• Private GP and health support services available
• Access to a rewards platform with retail and lifestyle discounts
• Savings on groceries, travel, shopping and home products
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Access to professional qualifications and career progression
• Internal development programmes and learning support
• Recognition schemes such as Star Awards and Colleagues Awards
• Strong focus on inclusion, wellbeing and colleague engagement
• Free membership to Places Gyms 

What's next?

If you meet the criteria and are ready to make the next step in your career then click apply. You will be redirected to our careers site where you can discover more about the role, read a full job description and apply directly to us.

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we offer a guaranteed interview to candidates who are disabled, neurodiverse, or have served in the Armed Forces, provided they meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to be considered under this scheme, please indicate this in your application. We are dedicated to creating a supportive and accessible recruitment process for all.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruit