Job Title
Estates Site Operations Manager
Where are you based?
I work across several our sites across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Is your role clinical or non-clinical?
Non-clinical
When you were at school, did you want to join the NHS?
No, I wanted to be a footballer but that didn’t work out so I have held various roles in both the private and public sector and been in the NHS now for 7 years.
What qualifications did you have when you joined the NHS?
I achieved ‘O’ Levels and ‘A’ Levels, but I was able to join the NHS due to my knowledge and experience from previous roles.
How did you come to work in the NHS?
I left school with ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels in 1986. I went straight from college to a local insurance company where I started as a Computer Operator and I stayed there for 15 years. I then moved into Programme and Change Management at Gatwick Airport. From there I moved to the Isle of Wight and worked for the Council in a number of roles in Children Services. I then moved back to the mainland and started with Solent NHS Trust in the Commercial Team. After 3 years, I moved into my current role as Estates Site Operations Manager. I have supported the Trust’s Covid responses from the opening of temporary outpatients wards through to setting up 4 mass vaccination sites in Basingstoke, Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight which my team and I continue to support.
Briefly explain your job
My team and I look after the day to day running from a premises and building management perspective of hospitals, health centres and office sites across Hampshire and Isle of Wight. My team manage the reception function and ensure the spaces and sites are well-used and maintained.
What do you love about your job?
The variety. No two days are the same and we strive to make the best use of all our buildings so that any patient, visitor or colleague has the best experience possible when at one of our sites. This starts from the warm welcome from our reception teams through to our modern and well-maintained premises.
What is challenging about your role?
There is never enough space! As teams grow and service demand increases, the daily challenge is how best to use our limited space and buildings.
Is there career progression in your role and how would you get there?
There is natural progression within my Premises Service and anyone starting as an apprentice on a Band 2 can work their way through and up the bands within my Team. This is the same for me. I have a route and will be supported with training and qualifications if I or any other colleagues want to make that move.
What would you say to a young person thinking of joining the NHS?
Go for it! There are so many different roles both clinical and non-clinical and by choosing one, it does not mean you won’t have the opportunity to move into the other space. It is rewarding and you can really make the difference to someone’s day or life!