We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Maintenance Operations to lead the delivery of Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) maintenance services across a large, complex, multi-site estate.
This is a senior leadership position responsible for ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of critical building services and infrastructure. You'll lead a team of M&E Supervisors and specialist contractors, overseeing planned preventative maintenance, compliance, asset management, and improvement programmes while driving service excellence across the estate.
The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining operational readiness, supporting major projects, and delivering best-in-class maintenance services that meet both statutory obligations and customer expectations.
Key ResponsibilitiesMaintenance Operations & Asset Management
- Lead the delivery of all Mechanical and Electrical maintenance activities across the estate.
- Ensure the effective operation of HVAC, heating, hot water, ventilation, electrical systems, and associated plant.
- Develop and implement long-term maintenance strategies and asset replacement programmes.
- Provide technical expertise on maintenance projects, upgrades, and infrastructure improvements.
- Review and approve Operation & Maintenance manuals and ensure accurate asset records are maintained.
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, motivate and develop a multidisciplinary maintenance team, including up to 16 M&E Supervisors.
- Foster a high-performance culture focused on safety, compliance and continuous improvement.
- Support succession planning, training and professional development initiatives.
Compliance, Health & Safety
- Ensure all maintenance activities comply with relevant legislation, regulations and industry best practice.
- Maintain high standards of health and safety across all operations.
- Review and approve risk assessments, method statements and permit-to-work systems.
- Manage statutory inspections and ensure compliance with insurance and regulatory requirements.
Contractor & Supplier Management
- Manage external contractors and specialist service providers.
- Monitor contractor performance against agreed service levels and KPIs.
- Build strong supplier relationships to deliver value for money and high-quality service outcomes.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Work closely with operational teams, building managers, project managers and senior stakeholders.
- Coordinate planned shutdowns and communicate service impacts effectively.
- Provide expert guidance on maintenance requirements and operational risks.
Budget & Performance Management
- Manage maintenance budgets and asset replacement programmes.
- Monitor expenditure and ensure effective cost control.
- Produce performance reports and provide strategic recommendations for future investment.
- Track maintenance activities, SLAs and compliance performance.
About YouEssential Requirements
- Professional qualification (Level 4 or above) in Building Services, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
- Significant experience managing Mechanical and Electrical services within complex buildings or estates.
- Proven leadership experience managing large maintenance teams and specialist contractors.
- Strong understanding of building services systems including HVAC, electrical, heating, ventilation and control systems.
- Experience planning and managing major M&E shutdowns.
- Knowledge of planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programmes and service level agreements.
- Excellent understanding of Health & Safety legislation and statutory compliance requirements.
- Strong budget management and reporting experience.
- Outstanding communication, stakeholder engagement and people management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities within a complex operational environment.
Desirable Requirements
- NEBOSH, IOSH or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
- Experience within higher education, healthcare, public sector or large institutional environments.
- Knowledge of Building Management Systems (BMS), particularly Trend systems.
Benefits
- Competitive salary of £67,000 - £75,000 per annum
- Generous public sector pension scheme
- 40+ days annual leave including bank holidays
- Excellent work-life balance
- Training and professional development opportunities
- Employee wellbeing programmes
- Season ticket loan and cycle-to-work scheme
- Access to high-profile and technically diverse facilities
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate will be:
- A strong and inspirational leader
- Customer-focused and service-driven
- Commercially aware with a focus on value and performance
- Able to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels
- Proactive, innovative and solutions-focused
- Comfortable responding to operational emergencies and out-of-hours issues when required
Not Quite at Head of Maintenance Level?
We're also keen to connect with outstanding Maintenance Managers and Engineering Managers with proven experience managing M&E services, compliance, contractors and maintenance teams across large estates. If that's you, please submit your CV as we'd love to hear from you and discuss current or future opportunities.
If you are an experienced maintenance leader with a strong M&E background and a passion for delivering safe, compliant and high-performing estates services, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today.
Pay: £67,000.00-£75,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
