Building Services Manager

DCA Recruitment; New Addington; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

DCA Recruitment is recruiting a Head of Building Services for a major property portfolio in the UK. You will lead the Building Services Team, setting objectives, KPIs and standards, and act as the principal technical authority.

Reporting to the Director of Property, you will oversee major works, CAPEX planning, compliance, and governance, chair reviews, manage budgets and contractor performance, and advise senior leaders on risk and opportunities.

Qualifications

• MRICS qualification is essential.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Experience managing major works and capital investment.
• Strong knowledge of statutory compliance and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to the Building Services Team, setting objectives, KPIs and performance standards while promoting accountability, professional development, technical excellence and best practice.
• Lead the planning and delivery of major works, refurbishment projects and capital investment programmes; develop 10-year CAPEX and lifecycle plans with prioritised investment.
• Oversee project scoping, budgets, procurement, contractor appointments and programme delivery; act as senior escalation point for complex/high-value projects.
• Ensure compliance with governance, statutory requirements, contractual obligations and industry best practice.
• Provide strategic oversight of gas safety, electrical testing, water hygiene, asbestos management and other compliance programmes.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Financial awareness

Problem solving

Education

MRICS qualification

Job description

Head of Building Services

Location: New Addington, Surrey

Salary: £80,000-£105,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Working arrangement: On-site

THE OPPORTUNITY

DCA are working with Next Chapter Talent, seeking an experienced Head of Building Services to lead the building engineering and technical services function across a diverse residential and commercial property portfolio.

Reporting to the Director of Property, you will oversee major works, capital investment, lifecycle planning and statutory compliance. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of Surveyors, Engineers, Technical Specialists and support staff, acting as the organisation's principal technical authority.

This is an influential senior leadership role offering the opportunity to improve asset value, regulatory compliance, investment planning and service quality.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

You will provide strategic and operational leadership to the Building Services Team, setting objectives, KPIs and performance standards while promoting accountability, professional development, technical excellence and best practice.

You will lead the planning and delivery of major works, refurbishment projects and capital investment programmes. This will include developing and maintaining 10-year CAPEX and lifecycle plans, with investment prioritised according to asset condition, cost and risk.

You will oversee project scoping, specifications, budgets, procurement, contractor appointments and programme delivery. You will also act as the senior escalation point for complex or high-value projects, variations, disputes and stakeholder concerns.

The role will involve chairing major works reviews, monitoring progress, risks, budgets and delivery timescales. You will develop effective procurement and tendering strategies and oversee the performance of contractors, consultants and professional advisers.

You will ensure all projects comply with organisational governance, statutory requirements, contractual obligations and industry best practice.

You will provide strategic oversight of gas safety, electrical testing, water hygiene, asbestos management and other statutory compliance programmes. All inspections, certification and compliance records must remain current, accurate and fully auditable.

Working closely with Health and Safety colleagues, you will manage technical risks, particularly within high-risk and high-rise buildings. You will monitor regulatory developments and advise senior leaders on their potential implications.

You will oversee resident communication and Section 20 consultation processes for major works. You will also present technical reports, project risks and investment proposals to senior management, committees and the Company Board.

Where required, you will provide expert technical advice and evidence for legal proceedings, including First-tier Tribunal and court cases. This may include preparing technical reports, witness statements and supporting documentation, as well as attending hearings.

You will drive continuous improvement in project delivery, quality, efficiency, commercial performance and cost control. You will also provide senior escalation and authorised decision-making for emergency building works.

ABOUT YOU

MRICS qualification is essential for this position.

You will have significant experience in building surveying, building services, engineering, property or a closely related discipline, together with a proven record of leading multidisciplinary technical teams.

You will have strong experience managing major works, refurbishment and capital investment programmes, alongside excellent knowledge of statutory compliance, building safety, health and safety, and relevant property regulations.

Experience of procurement, tendering, contractor management and commercial governance is required. You will also need strong financial awareness and experience managing significant project budgets.

You must be confident working with residents, contractors, consultants, legal advisers and senior stakeholders. Excellent communication skills are essential, including the ability to explain complex technical information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

You will demonstrate strong judgement, decision-making and problem-solving skills, with the confidence to operate at both strategic and operational levels.

Experience of Section 20 consultations, disputes, legal proceedings or First-tier Tribunal matters would be advantageous. MCIOB or another relevant professional qualification would also be welcomed.

THE PERSON

You will be a credible and commercially aware technical leader who can balance regulatory compliance, asset protection, cost control and customer service.

You will be comfortable taking ownership of complex issues, challenging poor performance and providing clear, practical advice to senior stakeholders.