Technical Services Manager

Our customer is a high-profile commercial property & real estate organisation, operating in the UK and globally, with a number of trophy assets under management. Typically these will be high profile static buildings or mixed-use commercial developments, where they act as client to an outsourced FM service partner and are the conduit between tenant/property services team and facilitate the delivery of M&E services. They currently seek an experienced Technical Services / Engineering Manager to take ownership of a multi-tenant commercial building close to the City of London which is undergoing an extensive refurbishment over the next 12 months to late 2025. At the point of handover from construction teams at Practical Completion, they will manage the outsourced service provider ensuring they hit SLAs and KPIs. Guideline salary for this position is up to £85,000 for the right person, and with an attractive package including annual bonus, healthcare, pension, etc.

At completion the building will comprise 345,000sq ft of office accommodation and 3 retail units. C45% of the building is pre-let although fit out will not commence until late 2025. There is interest in the remaining accommodation. The services installation comprises a fan coil system with central heat pumps and ventilation plant, with all services being newly installed. The building owners will be targeting NABERS as a key ESG deliverable. A significant element of the role early on, following practical completion, will involve settling the services down, including utility metering, identifying snags & defects and generally ensuring the plant is operating to maximum efficiency, and in accordance with design criteria. In addition, overseeing occupier validations ahead of moving into a long fit out period. Closed system water quality management will also play a significant element of the job role throughout.

A client and customer facing role, the Engineering Manager is required to establish, implement and maintain effective management of systems and procedures in the delivery and continuity of service of the Mechanical, Electrical, VT, Public Health and IT Infrastructure Services for the building, its commercial and retail occupiers and visitors, while protecting and enhancing the landlord’s assets. The Engineering Manager contributes to the management of Health, Safety and Wellbeing for all users of the development.

The Engineering Manager will work alongside the General Manager and the wider property team, deputising where necessary. They will provide strategic technical direction, strong leadership, as well as operational planning and solutions covering MEP, VT operations with a view to providing a world class service.

A strong communicator, they will act as the Managing Agent interface for technical activity with the assistance and support as required by the Central Engineering and Operations team.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & People Management

• Demonstrate their ability as a proven leader of people, capable of getting the most out of their multi-disciplinary team including the technical supply chain.
• Understand the mutual and strategic goal for the building and the client.
• Provide outstanding leadership to maintain an exceptionally high standard of service delivery encompassing technical innovation, sustainability and customer focus.

Operational/Technical

• Oversee and be responsible for the delivery of technical services operations through the technical services compliance teams and service partners.
• Oversee and be responsible for the delivery of electrical/technical services operations across the technical services teams and service partners. Ensure that each technical asset is managed and maintained in a proactive and customer focused manner that is cost effective and reliable.
• Produce and constantly review monthly audit program to provide clear reporting data on supply chain performance.
• Ensure the agreed CAFM system is implemented, reporting functionality is used by all departments and reported monthly in line with business guidelines, with any failures to comply escalated to the General Manager within monthly reporting criteria.
• Prepare and manage engineering service charge budgets and ensure effective budget control including the preparation of relevant specifications, raising orders, instructions, contracts and verifying (processing) invoices are in place and management is always in line with business guidelines and expectations.
• Develop, implement and manage Environmental and Energy Conservation Programmes ensuring optimum usage of energy by utilising the systems available.
• Prepare a program and pathway for review in line with organisations commitment to net zero.

MEP

Develop, implement, and maintain maintenance strategies and systems for the building, facilities and public realm area.

• By instructing the establishment of a strong Pre Planned Maintenance (PPM) strategy, the use of KPIs, industry best practices and contract management techniques, ensure compliance with statutory obligations, manufacturer’s warranty requirements and obligations set by client and customers.
• Ensure adherence to, on behalf of the Landlord and occupiers, the technical obligations within the occupier lease agreements.
• Manage all latent base build defects ensuring the information on the defect is sent to the relevant parties until the defect is rectified.

Fabric Management

Ensure that regular meetings are held with the Fabric management team and there is full cohesion on management and projects.

Support the fabric management team and property manager to deliver the building fabric and ensure the fabric is maintained according to the design specification required and works by the technical team do not compromise this.

ICT

• Ensure that all ICT systems including converged network, telephony, local systems at asset level (access control systems, CCTV, desk top PCs etc.) are compliant with statutory and data protection obligations including GDPR and support the business need.
• Commercial awareness, business acumen.
• Work with the wider building team to support the client’s events and community programmes from a technical perspective.
• Ensure that good relations with all key stakeholders are established and maintained.
• Advise the General Manager immediately of any potential threats or reputational damage, major incidents or accidents resulting from an issue with the technical aspects of the building. Report on any tenant related issue or any issue that could or will involve the HSE or EHO.
• Review and assist with Occupier License Applications. Assisting the Central Engineering Team in ensuring review and comment on drawings, specification and reports submitted by the Occupiers and advise the Central Team of any impact on base build operations or any technical or lease concerns. Liaise with tenant consultants on any technical or operational revisions. Monitor tenant fit-out work and liaise as necessary to ensure that work complies with the approved License for Alteration. Carry out random inspection of fit-out works and report, liaise on findings, as necessary.
• Ensure all demised M&E contracts are kept and maintained to the required standards, with the assistance of the demised services team and technical service provider.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Contract Management

• Ensure the building has suitable utility contracts in place and recharges are completed in a timely manner.
• Ensure strong relationships with the management teams of all site delivery partners and ensure all parties work in a harmonious manner in support of the wider building community.
• Site delivery partners include but are not limited to:
• VT
• MEP Maintenance partners
• UKPN / SSE
• Telecom and ICT providers
• Utility partners
• Specialist Consultancy teams
• Through the Technical/Operational Service teams, develop specifications and scope for each of the specialist contracts and tender in accordance with the procurement procedures and policies.
• Ensure the appointed technical service partners are adequately briefed, resourced and monitored to be effective in the delivery of their services, reporting any occurrences of failure.
• Attend key monthly meetings with the associated service partners.
• Review Partners reports and any proposals, liaising with internal departments for guidance and management where required.
• Ensure compliance with all current legislation and recommended standards via the relevant technical service manager.
• Ensure that all statutory inspections are carried out by the due date and manage/monitor progress of actions via external reports spreadsheet attached to appropriate minutes.
• Develop effective relationships with the key technical stakeholders and supply chain to ensure faults or conflicts can be escalated and resolved in a timely manner.

Requirements

A natural leader with industry credibility and track record in a senior Technical Services Management role.

Able to manage a variety of people both directly and via service partners.

Able to develop relationships at all levels.

Knowledge of and understanding MEP, Fabric, ICT with a Property Management Environment.

Experience of working in a mixed-use building and engaging with residents along with other stakeholders.

Experience of managing critical infrastructure including complex High Voltage networks.

Strong IT Skills.

Ideally holds H&S qualification ISOH/NEBOSH.

Fully conversant with Electrical installation and current IEE regulations.

Operational knowledge of critical works and change management systems.

Lead defect rectification meetings in relation to landlord system defects.