Head of Maintenance and Technical Services

Job Introduction

The National Autistic Society is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and adults who use our services. Successful applicants will be required to complete the relevant safeguarding checks if relevant to their role.

Join Us as Head of Maintenance & Technical Services
The National Autistic Society helps create a world that works for autistic people and within our Corporate Services directorate, supports the teams who champion the rights and interests of autistic people and their families. We have a rewarding opportunity for a Head of Maintenance & Technical Services within our Estates Team. If you share our values and want to make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Visit our website to find out more about who we are: https://www.autism.org.uk/

About the Team
The Estates Team manages a diverse national property portfolio that supports autistic people and the colleagues who deliver our services. Our estate includes specialist schools, registered care services, supported housing, day services and corporate accommodation across the UK. The team is focused on strengthening how we manage our properties, developing planned maintenance programmes and ensuring our buildings remain safe, compliant and fit for the future.

About the Role
As Head of Maintenance & Technical Services, you will lead our national maintenance function and play a key role in developing the maintenance and technical capability needed for the future. Reporting to the Head of Estates, you will provide leadership to our Area Facilities Managers and wider maintenance teams across the UK, ensuring delivery of a safe, compliant and high-quality maintenance service. You'll drive the transition from a reactive maintenance model to a planned, evidence-led approach, helping to shape the future of our estate while ensuring excellent value for money and operational performance.

What You'll Do

• Lead, develop and inspire Area Facilities Managers and the wider national maintenance team.
• Take responsibility for building-related statutory compliance across the estate, ensuring risks are effectively managed and buildings remain safe.
• Develop systems, standards and processes that support consistent and effective property management across our services.

What We're Looking For

• Significant experience in building surveying, property, hard FM, maintenance or a related technical discipline.
• Experience leading managers and operational teams across a complex, multi-site estate.
• Strong knowledge of building maintenance, statutory compliance and related risks.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence and challenge constructively.

Click here for the Job Description

This role is for a full-time position at 37.5 Hours per week, fixed-term position for 6 months.

This role is home-based with regular national travel across the UK estate.

What we can offer you

• Pension - Auto-enrolled pension scheme.
• Annual Leave - 33 days (including public holidays). You can buy or sell leave each year.
• Training - Great induction and training, including autism training.
• Discounts - Online staff discount scheme for shopping, cycling, tech, and more (e.g., Asda, Tesco, Nike, Apple).
• Healthcare - Cash plan for permanent staff.
• Life Assurance - 2x your base salary.
• Flexible Benefits - Options like private health, dental insurance, holiday trading, enhanced pension.
• Support - 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme and counselling.
• Mindfulness - Free Headspace app for you and up to 3 family/friends.
• Blue Light Card - Eligibility for discounts.

About our application process

You will be required to upload your CV. If you are providing a supporting statement, please consider the following:

• Look at the job description and person specification.
• Tell us how your skills and experience match the role.
• Give examples if you can.

We might close this job advert early if we get lots of suitable applications.

To protect our autistic adults & children at the National Autistic Society, some roles require employees to have a criminal background check. Possession of an Enhanced DBS Check either on the Update Service or conducted within the last 12 months would be preferable but not essential if its applicable to your role.

Applications for this job are sought from anyone who is suitably qualified and experienced for the role but particularly welcome from autistic people.

We are an equal opportunities employer and part of the Disability Confident Employer scheme.

Important Information

Agencies need not apply.

Please note the National Autistic Society are unable to provide sponsorship for Visas.

The National Autistic Society may use artificial intelligence (AI) to assist our recruitment team with reviewing applications for this role. All application decisions are made by people and are not determined automatically by AI.

Apply

Salary

£68,098.47

Working conditions

Contract: Fixed Term - Full Time