General Manager

Summary

Annual salary up to £70,000. Location: Dover. Contract type: Full-time, Permanent.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced General Manager to oversee a local Social Housing Repairs & Maintenance contract in Dover, ensuring the business operates on sound operational and commercial principles. The role drives a high‑performing culture, fosters professional client relationships, and embeds a customer‑focused ethos across the team. Clear leadership, mentoring and motivation to the branch team, setting strategic targets and objectives, and leading by example.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop sustainable client and stakeholder relationships.
• Ensure exceptional customer engagement and maintain compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Manage performance against P&L targets, monitor KPIs, and uphold governance and risk management processes.
• Embed company values and procedures through monthly Branch/Contract meetings, annual appraisals, and annual staff surveys.
• Utilise business systems such as MCM, MSP, Dashboards, Workday, and compliance plans.
• Lead and drive a high‑performing team across technical, trades and administrative staff.

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrable strong understanding of the principles of contract/project management.
• Experience leading and managing a team of technical, trades and administrative staff.
• Ability to manage, support and resolve personnel issues.
• Ability to work productively in a pressurised environment, acting decisively while maintaining high service level.
• Genuine understanding of industry and service delivery to a range of clients.
• IT literate, utilising Microsoft packages.
• Experience in a Social Housing repairs and maintenance role.
• Experience of financial and commercial forecasting, including budgeting.
• Experience of working towards social value targets.
• Experience in developing sustainable client and stakeholder relationships.
• Proven track record in achieving, monitoring and managing performance targets.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to influence internally and externally.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise workloads.
• Ability to proactively manage and analyse data.
• Management of complaints that are promptly resolved and dealt with appropriately.
• Detailed and up‑to‑date knowledge of health and safety practices.
• UK full current driving licence.

Preferred Criteria

• SMSTS qualification.
• HNC/HND Building Studies qualification or equivalent experience.
• A Level 4/5 qualification in Leadership & Management or willingness to work towards it.

Benefits

• £70,000.00 annual salary.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Car allowance (family‑friendly policies).
• Volunteering leave.
• Mears Rewards – discounts of up to 10% on groceries, holidays, eye test vouchers, share save scheme, and more.
• Annual Mears Fun Day.
• Family‑friendly policies.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) counselling sessions.
• Employees need to be over 21, licence held for 3 months, fewer than 9 points for vehicle driving.
• All roles require entitlement to work within UK; no visa sponsorship offered.
• All roles subject to background, identity and security checks before commencement.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

All our roles require candidates to have the entitlement to work within the UK and Mears does not currently offer visa sponsorship. We are a Disability Confident employer, valuing individuality and ensuring equal opportunities for all. We proudly support the Armed Forces Covenant and have achieved the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. In our continued effort to promote social mobility, we invite applicants to voluntarily share their background information during the application stages to help us better understand the diverse experiences of our candidates. These questions are optional and will not impact your ability to apply. We use the Social Mobility Index to assess and enhance opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Company Values

Customers, Innovation, Teamwork, Responsibility.