Account Director

Wates Smartspace; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Wates Property Services FM is seeking a highly experienced Technical Director to lead technical excellence across a major FM portfolio in the UK. The role acts as the technical authority, shaping strategy, engineering assurance, and lifecycle planning while building trusted relationships with clients, managing agents, and senior stakeholders.

As Head of Technical for the account, you will set standards, drive risk management, and oversee M&E services, asset performance, and compliance.

Qualifications

• Significant FM leadership experience across large multi-site portfolios.
• Strong M&E expertise and technical authority.
• Experience partnering with managing agents and senior stakeholders.
• Proven track record in engineering risk management and compliance.
• Ability to translate complex technical issues into commercial recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Act as the senior technical lead and engineering authority across a large FM portfolio.
• Build relationships with clients, managing agents, consultants and stakeholders.
• Provide technical assurance and oversight across M&E engineering services.
• Lead on engineering risk management, compliance, asset strategy and lifecycle planning.
• Translate technical issues into clear commercial recommendations for decision-makers.
• Coach and develop technical managers and engineering teams.
• Drive continuous improvement, sustainability initiatives and best practice.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

FM industry experience

Strategic thinking

Education

Engineering degree (BEng/MEng) or equivalent

Chartered Engineer status or in progress

Knowledge of building services legislation

IOSH/NEBOSH desirable

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.

Key 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.

What We're Looking For

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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Why Join Wates?

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.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior engineering professional looking to take ownership of a strategically important portfolio whilst influencing technical standards across a leading UK FM provider.

Together, we're creating tomorrow.

Our commitments

WPS is proud to be an employer where anyone can thrive, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

We don't discriminate based on a criminal record; all applications are reviewed on an individual basis against the requirements of the role. Some roles may require additional checks, due to the nature of the work. As a Disability Confident Leader, we offer an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role and opt in to the Disability Confident scheme. Reasonable adjustments are available, please contact us at [e-mail]