Description
Job details
Salary£31,236 - £35,608 per annum. Salary Package in region up to £35k based on a basic salary G5 with an option of potentially joining call out that adds up to standby of approx. £4k plus potential for overtime re call of c £2.5k.
Contractual hours36
Basis Full time
Region South
Package Salary Package in region up to £35k based on a basic salary G5 with an option of potentially joining call out that adds up to standby of approx. £4k plus potential for overtime re call of c £2.5k.
Job category/type Ancillary and Operational Support, XFull time, XPermanent
Date posted28/04/2026
Job referenceSRF53228
Attachments attachment Senior Painter & Decorator April 26 - JD.pdf
Job description
Role Type: Full time, permanent
Closing date: 17th May 2026 at 23:59
Interview: 27th May 2026
Salary Package in region upto £35k based on a basic salary G5 with an option of potentially joining call out that adds up to standby of approx. £4k plus potential for overtime re call of c £2.5k.
If the successful candidate already holds a Skilled Worker Visa sponsored by another organisation and it was issued before the 4th April 2024, by reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.
Set across three distinctive and beautifully maintained campuses, the University of Reading offers a truly unique “University within a Park” environment. Our estate blends historic landscapes with modern academic and research facilities, creating an inspiring place to work and learn.
Our Estates Team manages a diverse and complex estate and we are now seeking a skilled Senior Maintenance Painter & Decorator to join our Reactive Maintenance Team. No two days are the same, and the variety of our estate brings both challenge and reward.
In this handson role, you will deliver highquality painting and decorating services across a wide range of academic, residential, heritage, and specialist buildings. You will carry out surface preparation, decorative finishes, minor plastering repairs, and safe use of access equipment, while ensuring all work meets University standards. You will also mentor and support apprentices, work collaboratively with other trades, and provide excellent customer service to building users.The role includes the opportunity to join the formal oncall rota (one weekend in every 7–8), with an additional allowance of approximately £4,300 per annum.
You will bring strong technical skills, experience working in a maintenance environment, and the ability to work independently while managing your own workload. Competence with tools, safe working practices, and good IT skills (including tablet use) are essential.
In return, we offer a competitive salary package (up to £35k), generous holiday entitlement, pension scheme, SportsPark discounts, wellbeing support, and the opportunity to work in one of the most attractive university estates in the UK.
If you thrive in a fastpaced reactive maintenance environment and enjoy working with a wide range of stakeholders to deliver highquality services, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please apply via the Jobtrain site, and clearly demonstrate how you meet the key recruiting criteria:
Extensive experience in all aspects of painting and decorating, including preparation, finishing, minor plastering repairs, and working to a high standard.
Timeserved apprenticeship or equivalent qualification in painting & decorating, with strong awareness of H&S, COSHH, and risk assessment processes.
Ability to work independently, manage workload, meet SLAs, and deliver highquality work with minimal supervision.
Solutionfocused, strong customerservice and communication skills, with the ability to work professionally with building users and colleagues.
Competent in the safe use and maintenance of tools, ladders, and access equipment, including compliance with PUWER and willingness to obtain PASMA.
Good IT skills, including use of email, Word, and CAFM/tablet systems for job recording and updates.
Experience working in a maintenance environment, with the ability to coordinate works and minimise disruption.
Flexible, proactive, and teamfocused, with the ability to support and mentor apprentices.
Current full valid UK manual driving license.
Due to the nature of the role, manual handling, extensive heavy lifting and working in confined spaces is required.
The University of Reading aims to create a fair and transparent reward strategy; ensuring staff are paid a competitive salary and are recognised and rewarded for their contribution.
Members of staff have the opportunity to join a pension scheme sponsored by the University. The University has a range of family friendly policies, including a childcare voucher scheme to help you save money on childcare costs.
We have a strong commitment to health and well-being and staff can benefit from discounted membership at the SportsPark, an Employee Assistance Programme and a Health Cash Plan. The University offers generous holiday entitlements which include public holidays and paid closure days.
Interviews will be held: 27th May.The interview will include an in person task on the day.
Contact Name, Job Title and Email address
Contact Name: Guneet Bhatti
Contact Job Title: Head of Reactive Maintenance
Contact Email address: g.k.bhatti@reading.ac.uk
Alternative Contact Name, Job Title and Email address
Alternative Contact Name: Arthur McCartney
Alternative Contact Job Title: Reactive Maintenance Manager
Alternative Contact Email address: a.mccartney@reading.ac.uk
The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.
