About Guardian Living Australia

Guardian Living Australia is a national leader in Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), delivering high-quality housing solutions that enable people with disability to live with greater choice, independence and quality of life. As both an SDA developer and registered SDA provider, we manage the full lifecycle of SDA, from acquisition, development and construction through to tenancy, property and SDA management. We work collaboratively with participants, support providers, developers and capital partners to create sustainable housing outcomes while driving innovation and excellence across the sector.

Role Purpose & Context The Facilities Manager is responsible for the operational performance, post-construction modifications, building compliance and ongoing maintenance of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) assets across the Guardian Living portfolio. This role owns all after-build works, from tenant-requested customisations and participant-led modifications through to reactive, planned and scheduled maintenance, ensuring homes remain safe, compliant, and fit for purpose for the life of the tenancy. This role also manages a national network of contractors and suppliers to deliver modifications, repairs, and maintenance across all project locations, in regional and capital city markets.

Reporting to the Executive General Manager, the Facilities Manager operates with significant autonomy; with that autonomy comes an equally high standard of accountability - for the timeliness, quality, and compliance of modification and maintenance works, and for the safety and satisfaction of the tenants who depend on them.

The Facilities Manager works closely with the Design & Construction, and Journey, and Housing Management teams to ensure a seamless handover from build completion into tenancy, and to ensure maintenance support remains responsive to tenant needs throughout occupancy. Manages landlord relationships to ensure property maintenance, compliance obligations, contractor vetting and safety standards are consistently achieved.

This role combines strong technical property management capability with the judgement, empathy and professionalism required to work respectfully within Specialist Disability Accommodation. It requires robust operational and contractor management skills, sound knowledge of the NCC, AS1428.1, SDA Design Standard, and related building and safety legislation, and a genuine commitment to delivering an exceptional, person-centered experience for tenants at every stage after move-in.

Key Accountabilities

1) After-Build Modifications & Customisations

- Own the end-to-end process for post-construction (post PC) and tenant-requested modifications and customisations, from refining the scope provided by the Journey and Housing teams through to completion and handover
- Prepare scopes of works for participant-led modifications, repairs and customisations, including all relevant documentation, procurement, and financial control
- Review proposed modification works to ensure compliance with architect/consultant specifications, the National Construction Code (NCC), the AS1428.1, the SDA Design Standard, and other statutory requirements
- Respond to requests for post-construction repairs,



modifications, and customisations promptly, keeping participants, families, and support coordinators informed at every stage, excluding Defects managed via the Design & Construction team under the DLP period of the construction Contract where applicable.
- Support the Design & Construction and Housing Management teams to roll out minor works projects that create a safe, sustainable, and tenant-focused outcome
- Support participant-led design innovation, ensuring modifications incorporate features that improve sensory, functional, health, and community outcomes for tenants

2) Ongoing Maintenance & Repairs

- Manage the day-to-day operation, presentation, and maintenance of newly constructed and existing SDA assets across the portfolio
- Oversee delivery of all repairs and maintenance through audits and on-site inspections, ensuring works are completed to agreed standards and timeframes
- Establish and maintain preventative and reactive maintenance programs that protect asset condition and minimise disruption to tenants
- Act as the key escalation point for urgent or complex maintenance issues affecting tenant safety or amenity

3) Contractor & Supplier Management

· Establishes and manages a panel of approved contractors and trades, undertaking appropriate due diligence to verify licences, qualifications, insurances, certifications and suitability prior to engagement.

- Identify, engage, and manage suppliers and contractors across all project locations nationally to deliver modifications, repairs, and maintenance
- Create and approve work orders, invoices, and minor works contracts within delegated limits of authority
- Closely manage external service providers' day-to-day performance against agreed service levels, through effective communication, negotiation, and issues management
- Monitor contractor performance and compliance, and implement improvement plans where required

4) Financial & Commercial Management

- Contribute to the preparation of operating and capital expenditure budgets for modifications, repairs, and maintenance, and provide ongoing monitoring and reforecasting
- Manage compilation, coordination, and monitoring of maintenance and modification budgets, providing regular reporting to the Executive General Manager
- Undertake analysis of contractor and works performance, and implement plans to ensure agreed outcomes and value for money are achieved

5) Compliance, Quality & Safety

- Ensure all modification, repair, and maintenance works comply with the NCC, AS1428.1, SDA Design Standard, WHS legislation, and GLA's internal policies and standards
- Establish quality assurance processes that ensure works are delivered to a high standard and uphold tenants' rights to safety, privacy, and dignity
- Identify and escalate risks or issues relating to tenant wellbeing, property condition, or compliance,



and drive timely resolution

· Promotes a strong safety culture by ensuring WHS obligations are met across maintenance activities, contractors operate safely, and incidents, hazards and corrective actions are reported, investigated and closed out in a timely manner.

- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the NCC, SDA, WHS, DDA, and other relevant legislation and industry standards

6) Stakeholder Collaboration & Reporting

- Build and maintain strong relationships with participants, families, support coordinators, SIL providers, and allied health professionals to deliver an exceptional, person-centred experience
- Collaborate with the Design & Construction, Acquisitions & Development, and Journey and Housing Management teams to ensure a seamless handover from build completion into tenancy
- Coordinate the improvement and implementation of operational procedures and processes for the Facilities Management function
- Prepare regular performance reports on modifications, maintenance, and contractor performance for the Executive General Manager, other senior stakeholders and landlords/capital partners

7) Strategic Planning & Continuous Improvement

- Contribute to the development of strategic plans and continuous improvement initiatives for the Facilities Management function
- Monitor service standards and tenant feedback, and implement improvements that enhance the post-move-in experience
- Stay informed on industry advancements in facilities management, building services, and construction, and assess their applicability to GLA's portfolio.

Key Capabilities

Competencies

· Extensive knowledge of facilities management processes, systems, and building services, gained through relevant industry experience and/or qualifications in construction, facilities management, contract management, or procurement

· Minimum 5 years' experience in a trade, facilities management, or building services role

· Sound understanding of the National Construction Code (NCC), SDA Design Standard, WHS, DDA, and other relevant risk management and statutory requirements

· Demonstrated experience managing contractors, contract schedules, and supplier payments

· Robust relationship management skills with the ability to engage effectively with participants, families, support coordinators, SIL providers, and contractors

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical information clearly and compassionately

· Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple modification and maintenance work streams and concurrent tasks within tight operational and financial deadlines

· Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills

· Relevant qualification in construction, facilities management, property, or a related field (desirable)

· A valid driver's licence

· Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint - Intermediate)

· Property/ Tenancy/ Facilities Management software (Intermediate)

·Project/ task and financial tracking tools (e.g. Procore, Jobpac, MS Project, Trello, Asana or similar (Basic – Intermediate)

If you have any questions or would like a copy of the full call 1300 452 732 or email [email protected].

📌 Facilities Manager (Melbourne)
🏢 Guardian Living
📍 Melbourne