Job Description

Salary: 38,939 - 47,465

Location: Lancaster with regular travel to Bangor, Wales (multi-site responsibility)

Contract Type: Full time, fixed term - 12 months (maternity cover)

Start Date: Early January 2026
We are seeking a proactive and experienced Workplace Manager to lead soft (site services) facilities operations across our Bangor and Lancaster sites. This is a key leadership role responsible for delivering high-quality soft services and support staff on both sites with regards to soft services, ensuring compliance, and contractors across both locations.
The successful candidate will be the on-site lead for Workplace operations, overseeing fleet vehicles, waste, cleaning, reception, and service delivery. Communication with main stakeholders including landlords - both Bangor and Lancaster Universities as well as staff at both site is a crucial part for this role.
Regular travel between sites is essential, and a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is required.
Key ResponsibilitiesLead and manage Workplace teams at both sites, including administration and operations staff. Oversee building and services compliance, health and safety, and service contracts. Ensure delivery of safe, clean, and efficient environments aligned with UKCEH standards. Manage budgets and procurement in line with organisational procedures. Collaborate with the SHE team to maintain updated risk assessments and compliance documentation. Support EEDI initiatives and promote inclusive practices across teams. Coordinate site visits, audits, and inspections, ensuring leadership presence at both locations. Support Sites Services Manager in Customer Service improvement plans across 4 sites

We're looking for someone with:A Workplace/Facilities qualification or 5+ years' relevant experience. Health and Safety qualification (e.g., IOSH, NEBOSH). Knowledge of regulations for soft services. Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and contractor management skills. Proven leadership and team management experience. Good understanding of finance and HR processes. Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle (Can use onsite fleet vehicles) - travel between Bangor and Lancaster is essential.

Working at UKCEH is rewarding. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.
As a valued member of our team, you'll get:27 days annual leave, plus 3 days for our Christmas closure 10% employer pension contribution Enhanced maternity and paternity leave (subject to qualifying requirements) 24/7 access to support for physical, mental, social, health, or financial wellbeing, plus trained Welfare Officers Flexible working opportunities

And much more...
You'll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute committed to recruiting talented people like you, supporting your career progression, and giving you the environment and resources you need to thrive at UKCEH.
Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. If you are considering pursuing self-sponsorship, please indicate this in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.
If we've just described you, we'd love to meet. Apply now.

About Us


Here you can explore the kind of roles we recruit for, search our latest vacancies, learn more about what it's like to work at UKCEH, and find out about the many benefits of joining our team.
Every one of our 600+ staff and 50+ postgraduate students plays a vital role in delivering our ambition to understand the environment and the human impact on it, so that together people and nature can prosper.

How we work is just as important as what we achieve. We want UKCEH to be a welcoming, inclusive, engaging and collaborative place to work. We embed our values - excellence, integrity and teamwork - into everything we do.