Support Services Manager

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Support Services Manager The closing date is 12 December 2025 To directly manage the Domestic Services Department and ensure the delivery of this service is in accordance with NHS National Standards for Cleanliness. Work in collaboration with other Directorates and all other providers with regards to compliant service delivery. Manage departmental risk, compliance standards, service delivery and budget allocation for the Domestic Services Department. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with the all other clinical service providers and internal service users. Work closely with the Control of Infection Team to ensure standards of cleanliness are constantly maintained throughout the hospital. To establish appropriate methods of communication to staff and ensure staff are regularly informed on Trust developments. Cohesively plan, implement, evaluate and target staff training to meet the needs of the service, ensuring all mandatory training is attained. Organise and carry out annual staff appraisals to include personal development plans. Ensure staff have clear and consistent development objectives within the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF). To set appropriate yearly objectives for section managers. Main duties of the job The post holder will be responsible for the on‑going operational organisation and service delivery of a range of services across the Bedford Hospital site and working closely with the Luton & Dunstable Facilities Team ensuring that services meet the required CQC, NHS legal and locally agreed service standards. To ensure that there are adequate and appropriate levels of staff in place to provide the agreed services to all wards and departments. This will involve analysis of staffing levels and hospital requirements and will require the management of rotas to cover annual leave or sickness. To line‑manage the Deputy Support Services Manager, Accommodation Manager and the Portering & Waste Manager and all associated services. Work in close association with the Directorate's Financial Management Accountant to ensure sound financial management, effective communication and financial reporting including presenting new initiatives, which may reduce current costs. Acting as an exemplary role model to all staff within the Directorate, demonstrating the Trust values at all times; working with direct reports to ensure authentic, compassionate, visible leadership is delivered at all levels. About us Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics‑led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available. Our values We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences. Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job. Job responsibilities Analyse the performance of all activities carried out by the department in order to identify areas for potential improvement and the development of revised working arrangements, systems and procedures. Contribute to the Business planning process for facilities, ensuring progress is maintained and improvement made. To participate in Trust‑wide Project Group(s) as and when required. Plan and coordinate the PLACE programme in conjunction with PLACE lead and Clinical Teams, ensuring the delivery of the full assessment within specified deadlines. Able to plan and prioritise Support Services environmental projects and more complex day to day tasks, including liaising with users, contractors, specialist agencies and project management. Able to write clearly, use computer software to produce and compile reports with accuracy and attention to detail. Planning, managing and prioritising own workload. To establish, develop, manage and review systems to manage the delivery of the very complex contracts to include quality, quantity and cost, incorporating customer satisfaction feedback where appropriate. Monitoring service standards in relation to professional field. Chair/lead relevant meetings/groups, produce minutes with action plans for all work and activity associated with this role. Responsible for Linen Contract and managing it effectively. Liaise with teams and follow up escalation processes. Person Specification Experience Years of experience in people management Experience in contact management Experience in supervising Contract or in‑house cleaning management experience Qualifications IOSH Skills computer skills including Microsoft office basic IT skills Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust #J-18808-Ljbffr