Account Director

Wates; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Wates Property Services FM seeks a commercially minded Technical Director to lead technical excellence across a large, managing agent-led FM portfolio. You will serve as the technical authority, guiding engineers and allied teams while maintaining client relationships and regulatory compliance.

The role demands strategic technical leadership, risk management, and lifecycle planning across assets valued at £20m+.

Qualifications

• Significant Facilities Management experience across large, multi-site portfolios.
• Strong Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) expertise.
• Experience operating within a managing agent environment.
• Proven track record managing senior client relationships.
• Experience overseeing portfolios valued in excess of £20m.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of FM contract delivery.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and provide credible technical leadership.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Act as the senior technical lead and engineering authority across a large FM portfolio.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, managing agents, consultants, and key stakeholders.
• Provide technical assurance and oversight across Mechanical & Electrical engineering services.
• Lead on engineering risk management, compliance, asset strategy, and lifecycle planning.
• Translate complex technical issues into clear commercial recommendations for clients and senior decision-makers.
• Support operational teams in resolving complex engineering and maintenance challenges.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, sustainability initiatives, and best practice.
• Lead technical audits, engineering reviews, and compliance assessments.
• Support business growth through client retention, bid support, and strategic account development.
• Coach and develop technical managers and engineering teams, enhancing capability across the wider FM business.

Skills

Technical leadership

Client relationship management

Engineering risk management

M&E expertise

Stakeholder communication

Team leadership

Education

Engineering degree

Chartered Engineer (or working towards)

HNC/HND or equivalent in Engineering

Job description

Wates Property Services FM is seeking an experienced and commercially minded Technical Director to lead technical excellence across one of our largest Facilities Management portfolios within the business This is a high-profile leadership role within our FM business, acting as the technical authority across a complex, managing agent-led portfolio. You will provide strategic guidance, technical assurance, and engineering leadership whilst building trusted relationships with clients, managing agents, and senior stakeholders. As the Head of Technical for the account, you will work closely with operational and commercial leaders to ensure engineering compliance, asset performance, lifecycle planning, and technical risk management are delivered to the highest standards. This role offers the opportunity to influence strategy, drive innovation, and shape the future of technical service delivery across a nationally significant portfolio.,

• Act as the senior technical lead and engineering authority across a large FM portfolio.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, managing agents, consultants, and key stakeholders.
• Provide technical assurance and oversight across Mechanical & Electrical engineering services.
• Lead on engineering risk management, compliance, asset strategy, and lifecycle planning.
• Translate complex technical issues into clear commercial recommendations for clients and senior decision-makers.
• Support operational teams in resolving complex engineering and maintenance challenges.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, sustainability initiatives, and best practice.
• Lead technical audits, engineering reviews, and compliance assessments.
• Support business growth through client retention, bid support, and strategic account development.
• Coach and develop technical managers and engineering teams, enhancing capability across the wider FM business.

  We are keen to speak with experienced technical leaders who have progressed from an engineering background into senior leadership positions.

You will ideally have:

• Significant Facilities Management experience within large, multi-site portfolios.
• Strong Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) expertise.
• Previous experience operating within a managing agent environment.
• Proven track record managing complex client relationships at a senior level.
• Experience overseeing portfolios valued in excess of £20m.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of FM contract delivery.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and provide credible technical leadership.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex technical information in a clear and commercial way., Degree, HNC, HND or equivalent qualification in an Engineering discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards chartership would be advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of statutory compliance and building services legislation.
• IOSH or NEBOSH qualification desirable.

  At Wates, we're committed to creating thriving places and delivering exceptional outcomes for our customers and communities. You'll join a forward-thinking Facilities Management business where technical excellence, innovation, and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do.