Location: Based on our site on the harbourside, the Estate covers approximately 6 acres in central Bristol including We the Curious Science Centre, Millenium Square Car Park, Millenium Square, Anchor Square and several leased buildings such as Leadworks and the Aquarium.
We’re happy to support flexible working - both through hybrid working and your working pattern. You just need to be able to adequately support the team, attend key meetings, and deliver the responsibilities of the role.
Department: Estates
Report to: Head of Estates
Responsible for: Estates Services Team & Cleaning Team (External contractor)
Salary: £42,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working hours: Full time – due to the nature of the role there will be some evening work to liaise with the night shift who start at 6pm and you may be asked to participate in our on-site support or out of hours on-call rotas (no more than one week per month including the weekend).
About We The Curious
We The Curious is an educational charity and one of the UK's leading science centres.
We produce experiences that bring people together to play, get creative with science and explore different ideas.
We work with partners, locally and nationally, supporting people to be inquisitive, develop new skills and improve their wellbeing.
We are progressive, inquisitive, collaborative, playful and creative.
Our Why, What & How
Our vision
What if everyone is included, curious and inspired by science to build a better world together?
Our mission
To connect and empower people through sharing creative experiences which celebrate unknowns in science.
Our pledges
_Cultivate Curiosity
_Strive for Sustainable Futures
_Include Everyone
_Build Resilience
_Open Up Science
You can find out more about these in our Manifesto.
Our Values
_Inquisitive - Asking questions
_Progressive - Thinking about what's next
_Playful - Embracing the unexpected with a sense of fun
_Creative - Generating and testing new ideas
_Collaborative - Being inclusive, connecting and valuing
Our Strategic Priorities
/ SP1 - We will deliver collaborative, curiosity-led learning projects to reduce inequality and improve life chances.
/ SP2 - Our team and those we work with will reflect the diversity of our city, delivering a more inclusive experience.
/ SP3 -We commit to being a carbon net zero organisation by 2030 and will inspire audiences to take positive action for our planet
/ SP4 - To deliver our charitable mission, we will strengthen existing income sources and seek new opportunities to deliver long-term financial security.
/ SP5 - We will provide opportunities for people to explore new ideas, develop skills and influence scientific research.
About the role
Working as part of the Estates team to deliver a site that an environment that is safe and presentable for members public and employees. We want to create a space and atmosphere which encourages all visitors to return in the future.
You will be responsible for the procurement of goods and services that are required to run the estate including waste, cleaning, landscaping, security, pest control, catering, utilities, as well as tenant and car park management.
This role will manage the Estates Services team who work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year covering the entire We the Curious site providing a secure, safe, and friendly environment.
You will also be responsible for our internal and external cleaning contracts and point of contact for our catering services.
What will you do in this role?
Role specific responsibilities
_You’ll be responsible for procurement & management our soft services contracts including waste disposal, cleaning, security, catering, pest control and landscaping.
_You’ll manage all Estates Services staff (24/7 on-site security team). Carrying out staff appraisals, recruitment, inductions and ongoing training.
_With the assistance of the Health and Safety Manager you’ll ensure all risk assessments relating to the team and car park are up to date and safe working practices are being followed.
_You’ll have responsibility for the provision of security services carried out by the Estates Services Team, including the use of CCTV and associated GDPR requirements and maintenance and servicing of this and the intruder alarm equipment.
_You will hold budget management responsibilities for stationery, staff catering, first aid, and cleaning consumables.
_Management of the car park which includes; controlling of season tickets and ensuring the service and maintenance of equipment.
_You’ll be responsible for liaising with the on-site internal and external cleaning team members and ensuring we receive an excellent service.
_You will be the first point of contact for our staff catering suppliers including the service and maintenance of equipment.
_You will be responsible for the utilities contracts and any renewals required.
What will you do in this role?
General responsibilities
_Safeguarding - Responsible for departmental safeguarding risk assessments, compliance and raising any concerns to manager/Designated Safeguarding Officer.
_Fundraising - Promote charity messaging across your area of work wherever possible, with support from the Development and Marketing teams.
_Training – Take part in mandatory training and ensure you remain up to date with current legislation and regulations, undertaking CPD where necessary.
_General responsibility for departmental compliance with GDPR.
_Support the Head of Estates with some Estate Management coordination when required.
_Support the rest of the Estates team with projects when required.
What we're looking for from you
_Recognised Facilities Management qualification of professional certification such as IWFM (BIFM) or CFM and/or demonstrable experience in supplier management/contract management/service delivery/soft FM.
_Knowledge of sustainable procurement processes and tender processes.
_Experience managing soft facilities services, such as cleaning, catering, security, and other support functions.
_Understanding of health and safety regulations and writing risk assessments / standard operating procedures.
_Strong leadership skills to effectively manage internal teams and external suppliers including developing and managing SLAs to ensure service quality.
_Experience in managing and training staff, including setting performance goals and providing feedback and skills in conflict resolution.
_Strong focus on customer service and ensuring a high standard of service delivery and ability to handle complaints effectively and professionally.
_Ability to handle emergency situations, adapt to changing priorities and unexpected issues effectively, and willingness to work unsociable hours when required.
_Strong problem-solving skills to address and resolve facility-related issues promptly.
_Ability to manage costs and identify opportunities for cost savings and handle contract negotiation.
Application process
Deadline for applications: Friday 4th April at midnight
Interview dates and location: Wednesday 23rd April at We the Curious
Start date: 1st June (subject to notice periods)
Application process:
If you would like to apply, please complete the application form. It contains questions designed to assess your interest in and suitability for the role.
Please don't send in CVs or cover letters as we don't review them.
We appreciate interviews can be stressful, so we try to make them more of a conversation and a chance for you to tell us about how your skills and interests make you the right person for the role.
If you are invited for an interview, we'll send you the questions that you'll be asked beforehand so that you have time to prepare.
If you have any particular needs or requirements, please do let us know so that we can make the required adjustments.
If you would like to talk about the role or the application process, please email people@wethecurious.org
Support during the process
We The Curious is a Disability Confident Employer and we welcome applications from candidates who self-assess themselves as having a disability. We will guarantee an interview to applicants who advise that they have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy. To help you, under the Equality Act 2010 a person is defined as having a disability if a) they have a physical or mental impairment, and b) the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
We want to work with you to ensure the recruitment process is accessible for you.
If you are disabled, neurodivergent, or if you have a long-term health condition, we’ll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to our processes for you.
You’ll have the opportunity to let us know about any adjustments you may need throughout the application and selection process. We’ll continue this conversation if you join us as a staff member, and we’ll work with you to make sure you have the adjustments you need to succeed in your role.
Examples of adjustments could include:
_providing alternative formats at every stage
_options to apply
_extra time for tasks
_providing some extra information about what to expect
_office orientation before an in-person interview.
Including everyone
We value the positive impact greater representation will have on our organisation, programmes and culture. It’s our goal to become an inclusive place to work and for our teams to better reflect our city and the people who visit us.
We welcome applications from people of all lived experiences and particularly those that are not well represented* in the science centre sector.
*By not well represented we mean people with lived experience including but not limited to:
_African and African-Caribbean heritage
_South Asian and East Asian heritage
_Global Majority
_Disabled
_Neurodivergent
_Visually Impaired
_Deaf community
_LGBTQIA+ and/or non-binary
_Working class background
_Didn’t go to university or first in your immediate family to attend University
Working with us
We value the people that work with us. Our staff have access to the following:
Wellbeing & support
_Flexible working
_Hybrid working (if suitable and stated for role)
_Cycle to work scheme
_Free yearly flu jabs and eye tests
_Paid sick leave for physical and mental health
_Mental Health First Aiders
_Confidential advice & counselling through the Employee Support Programme
Leave
_25 days in addition to bank holidays.
_A day of extra holiday for every 5 years' service
_An amount of paid leave for emergency dependent care, domestic emergency leave and compassionate leave
New Parent Policy
We are proud to be a family friendly organisation, which is why we work to develop our people practices in line with that value. We have recently introduced a non-gendered approach to Maternity and Paternity, re-branded as our “New Parent Policy”. There are eligibility criteria and terms and conditions, but the key take away is that anyone who is due to become a new parent, regardless of their gender, can take 1 year off work, and we’ll pay your full salary for the first five months.
Facilities & discounts
_Free entry to the venue at any time with up to four guests, plus 12 additional entry tickets per calendar year to give away.
_15% off in the We The Curious café
_20% off in our shop
_Range of discounts with local businesses and free entry to other local attractions.
_Social events
_Free parking
_Secure cycle storage
Pension
_We offer a pension scheme with 5% company contributions.
Death in service benefit
_Four times your annual salary.
