Cleaning Services Team Leader
Property Services | Social Housing
Salary: £28,684 – £29,5000
Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: Luton and surrounding areas (multi-site working)
About Squared
Squared is a not-for-profit housing association supporting communities across Luton and South Bedfordshire since 1962. We are a welcoming, inclusive organisation where people feel valued, supported and empowered to make a real difference.
We believe housing should be a stepping stone, not a destination.
Our Benefits
- 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays), increasing with service (up to 38 days)
- Option to buy or sell up to 5 days leave
- Free Health Cashplan (after probation)
- Canada Life WeCare Employee Assistance Programme
- Pension Scheme (Squared contributes 1.33% of employee contribution up to 8%)
- Life Assurance
- Personal Accident Cover
- Staff benefits portal with shopping discounts
- Flexible, supportive working approach
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced Cleaning Services Team Leader to oversee the delivery of high-quality, safe and customer-focused cleaning services across our social housing portfolio.
This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for coordinating cleaning operations across a variety of settings including HMOs, hostels, general needs housing, sheltered accommodation and office
environments. You will ensure that cleaning services are delivered to high standards, teams are supported and well organised, and that services contribute positively to resident wellbeing and organisational reputation.
You will supervise a dispersed team of cleaners, manage daily operations, and ensure that all work is carried out safely, efficiently and in line with organisational policies and health and safety regulations.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Delivery
- Coordinate daily cleaning operations across multiple sites, ensuring scheduled cleans are completed to agreed standards and timescales
- Oversee void property cleans, including pre-void, end-of0tenancy and re-let deep cleans
- Manage specialist and deep cleans, including situations such as hoarding, biohazard or high-risk environments
- Carry out regular site inspections to monitor cleaning standards and identify improvements
- Ensure all cleaning equipment, materials and PPE are available, safe and properly maintained.
Team Leadership
- Supervise motivate and support a team of cleaners working across multiple locations
- Plan staff rotas and allocate workloads to ensure efficient service delivery
- Provide on-the-job training, coaching and support to maintain high standards
- Conduct performance reviews and address performance issues when necessary
Promote a positive, inclusive and safe team culture
Health, Safety & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation, COSHH requirements and safeguarding expectations
- Complete and maintain risk assessments and safe systems of work
- Identify hazards and ensure incidents or near misses are reported and addressed
- Promote safe working practices when working in environments with vulnerable residents
Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as the main point of contact for housing teams, scheme managers, contractors and internal departments regarding cleaning services
- Respond professionally to customer feedback and complaints, ensuring issues are resolved quicky
- Build strong working relationships access teams to ensure coordinated service delivery.
Administration & Reporting
- Maintain accurate records of completed cleans, staff hours, stock usage and equipment checks
- Manage stock levels and support the procurement of cleaning supplies
- Provide performance updates to manager, including quality inspections and KPIs
- Identify opportunities to improve service efficiency and resident satisfaction.
About You
We are looking for a motivated leader who takes pride in delivering high standards and supporting their team to succeed.
You will be organised, proactive and comfortable managing a busy workload across multiple sites while maintaining excellent service standards.
You will also have a calm, professional approach and be confident working in environments where residents may be vulnerable or require additional sensitivity.
Essential Experience & Skills
- Experience supervising or leading cleaning teams, ideally across multiple locations
- Strong understanding of cleaning standards in social housing, supported accommodate or similar environments
- Knowledge of COSHH regulations, health and safety requirements and safe working practices
- Ability to priorities workloads and adapt to changing operational demands
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to engage professionally with residents and colleagues
- Full UK manual driving license
Desirable Experience
- Experience delivering void, deep or specialist cleans
- Health and safety or cleaning industry training
- Experience working within a housing association, local authority or care environment
What We’re Looking For
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
- Calm, confident and solution-focused approach
- Empathy and professionalism when working in sensitive envrionments
- Reliable, organised and able to work independently
- A team player who leads by example and supports others
Why Join Us?
This is a great opportunity to lead a service that has a direct impact on residents’ wellbeing and living environment. You’ll play a key role in ensuring homes and communal spaces are safe, clean and welcoming for the communities we serve.
