Location

Hybrid role - part home working, part office. 
 

Why The Works?

10th Best Big Company to Work For 2024 - 'Best Companies'

We don’t just sell products.
We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play.

The Works. It literally means everything. And whatever your story or background, we’re all about unlocking imagination and making creativity accessible to everyone. Whether you’re engaging with customers on the frontline or supporting our colleagues behind the scenes, your impact can be profound and far-reaching.

This is more than toys and books and art supplies. This is about inspiring people to read, learn, create and play. So, with the right passion, it all starts with you.

Become a Property, Health & Safety Manager 

We’re looking for a confident and capable leader to take ownership of our property, facilities, and health & safety functions, bringing them together into a cohesive, forward-thinking service.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with a strong background in property and estates management, who also understands the importance of compliance, safety, and strategic planning.

Your teams will ensure that our locations are safe, legally compliant, well-maintained and fit for purpose by implementing clear strategy, processes, timely maintenance and proactive safety management that help to create the best possible environment for our colleagues and customers.

Your role will include responsibility for leading our Property, Maintenance, Facilities and H&S strategy, ensuring proactive investment planning and comprehensive project management across all store, support centre and distribution centre projects. 

Your Mission

Maintenance & Facilities

• Provide oversight of a comprehensive maintenance management system covering planned preventative and reactive works across company properties.
• Ensure operational compliance with property regulations, providing strategic oversight and guidance.
• Oversee maintenance, cleaning, and security services, including procurement, contractor management, and cost versus service evaluations to ensure return on investment.
• Strategically procure facilities materials as required to support the working operation of our sites, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.
• Ensure compliance with lease obligations; coordinate repairs and manage upgrades, providing strategic oversight.
• Implement and oversee an asset management strategy that aligns with long-term organisational objectives.
• Lead the transformation of the property database and information we hold on file for our sites, creating a comprehensive dashboard view of trends, high-risk sites, and informing strategic decision-making around investment choices.

Property Projects

• Provide executive oversight of property-related projects, including construction, renovations, relocations, and closures.
• Lead the management of projects and upgrade programs as part of our investment and sustainability strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.
• Oversee construction and fit-out projects, providing strategic oversight and guidance.
• Manage all costs related to health, safety, facilities, and construction projects, ensuring strategic alignment with organisational objectives.
  

Health, Safety & Security

• Formulate and drive the strategic implementation of health, safety, and facilities policies, ensuring compliance with regulations and alignment with organisational goals.
• Define and oversee comprehensive compliance and audit programs, ensuring adherence to industry standards and best practices.
• Provide executive oversight of security services to ensure a safe, compliant, and effective working environment across all organisational sites.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and the People team to develop and implement workplace policies, training, and well-being programs that support organisational health and safety objectives.
• Identify potential hazards and implement strategic measures to mitigate risks, ensuring a proactive approach to health and safety management.
• Oversee the investigation and management of claims related to health, safety, and facilities, providing strategic insights and solutions.

Skills/Behaviours That Will Set You Apart

• Expertise in Complex Environments – Brings hands-on experience in property, estates, or facilities management, ideally within regulated or multifaceted organisations.
• Champion of Safety – Deep understanding of health and safety legislation, with a focus on practical, real-world application.
• Operational Excellence – Proven track record of managing budgets, leading projects, and empowering people to deliver results.
• Strategic Leadership – Thinks big-picture, leading through others and influencing across all levels of the organisation.
• Decisive and Practical – Makes tough calls on investment priorities with clarity, confidence, and a pragmatic mindset and ability to say 'no' within reason. 
• People-First Leadership – Builds and shapes high-performing teams through support, development, and authentic leadership.
• Visionary Planning – From assessing the current state to crafting and delivering a bold 3-year departmental strategy.
• Precision and Organisation – Brings a sharp eye for detail and strong organisational skills to every task.
• Inspiring Communicator – Communicates with clarity and leads with purpose, motivating teams and stakeholders alike.
• Calm Under Pressure – Thrives in fast-paced environments, maintaining focus and resilience when it matters most.
• Analytical Problem-Solver – Tackles challenges with a logical, data-informed approach and a solutions mindset.
• Tech-Savvy – Confident using Microsoft Office and property management systems to streamline operations.
• Master of Prioritisation – Juggles multiple tasks with ease, always focused on what delivers the greatest impact.
• Qualified and Committed – Holds (or is working toward) professional health and safety certifications such as NEBOSH or IOSH.
• Dual-Discipline Experience – Brings proven success in both health and safety and property management roles.
• Regulatory Expertise – Strong working knowledge of health and safety regulations and property law.

 Being a great leader 

As a great leader with wonderful people skills, you'll create an environment that's more than just co-workers — it's a team.

• Align Goals with Values: Ensure that your team’s goals are clearly connected to the company’s values and purpose. This helps colleagues see the bigger picture and understand how their work contributes to the overall mission.
• Clear Communication: Ensure that your team understands the goals, expectations, and their roles. Regularly share updates, encourage open dialogue and have regular check-ins.
• Role Model: Lead by example. Demonstrate the behaviours and attitudes you expect from your team, such as punctuality, responsibility, and being a brand ambassador.
• Provide Feedback: Offer constructive feedback regularly. Recognise achievements and address areas for improvement in a supportive and continuous growth manner.
• Empower Your Team: Delegate tasks and trust your team with the responsibility to handle them. This builds confidence and promotes professional growth.
• Conflict Resolution: Address conflicts promptly and fairly. Foster an environment where issues can be discussed openly and resolved amicably.
• Empathy: Understand and consider the feelings and perspectives of your team members. This helps in building strong, supportive relationships

And let's not forget about the most important part… your team's well-being and aspirations. You'll be their biggest supporter, cheering them on. You'll have amazing everyday conversations with your team, discussing everything from their performance to their wildest career aspirations.

Our PERKS really are ‘The Works’

• 25% Colleague Discount! - Plus, exclusive Double Discount days!
• MyWorks - Access exclusive online discounts across hundreds of retailers, holidays, utilities deals, tech and more!
• Holiday – 33 days including bank holidays.
• Holiday Purchase - Purchase an additional 5 days
• Can-Do Academy - Grow your skills and career with instant access to further training and development in areas that interest you.
• Wagestream - Claim early access to 50% of your wages as you earn them – for when ‘life’ happens!
• Share Scheme - Unleash your inner Monopoly mogul and own a piece of The Works!
• 24/7 support for you and your family - Through our partnership with the Retail Trust who provide an Employee Assistance Programme and so much more!
• Healthcare Cash Plan – To support your everyday healthcare costs
• And loads more! – Long Service Awards, pension, life assurance, Cycle to Work and optional charity giving.

Our Purpose

To inspire reading. learning, creativity and play - making lives more fulfilled.

Our Values

We are Crafty | We are Caring | We are Can-do

We Listen. We Care

Each year, we run an anonymous colleague engagement survey. This is so important for us to hear your feedback and suggestions. We want to know what’s going great, and what needs a couple of tweaks to help make The Works the best place you’ve ever worked! You’ll have opportunity to help give us that direction.

Promoting Diversity, Inclusion, and Applying Reasonable Adjustments

At The Works, we are proud to have an inclusive culture where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. Our roles are open to all, including under-represented groups such as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, carers & members of the LGBTQ+ community (including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, non-binary, or use another term).

We are open to discussions around working hours and flexible working. And, where possible, we'll try to support this. If you need reasonable adjustments for an interview you might attend with us, let us know in your application and we’ll be happy to help!