Head of Engineering

Head of Engineering (M&E)

Residential & Student Accommodation

Hybrid | Nationwide Portfolio | Full Time | Senior Leadership Role

Are you an experienced Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) engineering leader with a strong background in mechanical & electrical systems, planned preventative maintenance (PPM), compliance, and capital projects?

This is a rare opportunity to step into a Head of Engineering role with one of the UK's leading premium living providers, where you will oversee a diverse national estate of large, premium residential properties, ensuring buildings and systems operate efficiently, safely, and sustainably.

We are looking for a dynamic, driven professional who can combine strategic vision with hands-on technical expertise to deliver first-class building operations, lead a team of engineers, and manage multi-million-pound M&E assets.

The Role

As Head of Engineering (M&E), you will:

• Lead and inspire a team of regional and on-site engineers, driving performance, professional growth, and operational excellence across multiple sites.
• Oversee planned preventative maintenance (PPM) schedules, ensuring compliance with statutory regulations, building safety, and life safety systems.
• Manage all reactive maintenance and service desk requests, ensuring SLAs are met and downtime is minimised.
• Deliver and oversee capital expenditure (CapEx) projects from survey and scoping to budgeting, design, and project management.
• Build strong relationships with contractors, suppliers, and internal stakeholders, holding third parties to account on quality and compliance.
• Partner with development teams on new build handovers, system snagging, defect rectification, and integration into operational models.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement, implementing best practice in facilities engineering and asset management.
• Collaborate on budget setting and financial reporting, ensuring maintenance and project spend is cost-effective and aligned with business strategy.
• Work closely with Health & Safety, Estates, and Energy teams to ensure compliance, sustainability, and efficiency goals are met (SFG20, BSR etc.)

About You

We're looking for someone who is:

• A proven engineering leader within M&E, Facilities Management, or Building Services working across a large estate - ideally you will already be operating as a Head of MEP / Head of Building Services / Head of Facilities Management / Head of Technical Services
• Experienced in M&E systems, statutory compliance, PPM planning, and contractor management.
• Skilled at managing Capex projects, from survey to delivery.
• Confident in liaising at senior level and working cross-functionally with development, operations, and estates teams.
• Knowledgeable in building safety, fire safety, and health & safety regulations.
• Commercially astute, able to manage budgets and deliver value through smart investment and maintenance planning.
• A problem solver with a proactive, innovative mindset and excellent communication skills.

What's in it for you?

• Basic salary of up to £85,000
• Car allowance
• Bonus of 15%-20%
• A high-profile leadership role with the chance to shape the long-term engineering strategy of a fast-growing property portfolio.
• Exposure to landmark buildings and new developments across the UK.
• A supportive, forward-thinking operations team with an emphasis on continuous improvement and professional development.
• Hybrid working with occasional travel to Manchester HQ and travel across sites as required.