Head Of Maintenance Operations

WEG Tech; Coventry; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A large leading university in Coventry is seeking an experienced Head of Maintenance Operations to oversee maintenance services for its multi-building campus. This role involves ensuring compliance, efficient service delivery, and the management of a diverse team. The ideal candidate will possess a relevant degree, significant experience in a similar role, and strong leadership skills. This exciting position offers a salary of £65,000 plus benefits and is set for an immediate start.

Benefits

Holiday Pay

Benefits

Qualifications

• A degree qualification in Building Services, Engineering or equivalent experience.
• National Examination Board Health and Safety Certificate (NEBOSH) or equivalent.
• Chartered and a member of a related professional body such as CIBSE, CIOB or equivalent.
• Significant relevant senior experience within a large complex organisation.
• Detailed H&S knowledge and background with evidence of improving H&S culture.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day delivery of maintenance services.
• Direct all engineering operations for efficient service delivery.
• Lead a large in-house labour force and manage maintenance requirements.
• Ensure compliance with statutory maintenance and safety measures.
• Develop and implement sustainable, low-carbon practices in maintenance.

Skills

Building Service Management

Health and Safety Knowledge

Team Leadership

Strategic Management

Education

Degree in Building Services or Engineering

NEBOSH Certificate

Chartered Member of CIBSE or CIOB

Tools

AutoCAD

REVIT

BIM

Job description

About the job

Head of Maintenance Operations - Estates Maintenance Operations

Interim / Temporary - 6 Months - £65,000 + Holiday Pay + Benefits

Reporting to the Director of Maintenance

Job Purpose

We are seeking an interim/temporary Head of Maintenance Operations to oversee the day‑to‑day delivery of maintenance services for a large multi‑building and facility university establishment in Coventry. The role will report directly to the Director of Maintenance and manage a team including Department Managers to ensure the safe, compliant and efficient operation and maintenance of all university buildings, building systems and infrastructure, and relevant external public realm. Responsibility will also ensure the efficient and effective delivery of reactive, planned and statutory maintenance functions, including providing an emergency reactive service for all building disciplines across all university‑operated properties. To ensure that buildings are statutory compliant, well maintained and operational – including long‑term capital planning and delivery – and to coordinate small‑scale improvement works through in‑house labour and contractors. To ensure that the campus infrastructure – including roads, power and water – is safe, fit for purpose and resilient.

Technical and People Duties

• Review, design and implement new systems and working practices (using benchmarking data and competitor analysis) to ensure a safe, cost‑effective, customer‑focused, operationally effective service delivery organisation that is fit for purpose for an ever‑developing, technical and expanding campus.
• Take ownership for all engineering operations, spanning mechanical, electrical and critical systems; steering the estates engineering strategy, leading the optimisation of building services and infrastructure, and championing the adoption of smart, efficient and sustainable solutions.
• Direct the delivery of all engineering operations “Hard FM (Facilities Management)” services to the University‑operated buildings.
• Lead a large in‑house labour force, including recruitment, training and development, and discipline.
• Manage maintenance requirements across the University; determine annual operational plans and secure budgets for service, deciding which functions should be delivered in‑house and which through specialist contractors or other providers.
• Implement and monitor service delivery through key performance indicators (KPIs) focused on productivity, customer service, carbon reduction, resource consumption and continual improvement.
• Be responsible for managing the delivery of the prescribed statutory and routine maintenance and act as the responsible person (RP) or approved person (AP) for certain statutory responsibilities, as agreed in the RACI.
• Develop maintenance policies and systems to deliver a high‑quality, efficient and effective service while ensuring value for money, safety compliance and the works undertaken by in‑house and external specialists.
• Direct the use of external contracts where required for maintenance and operational needs.
• Compile financial business cases supporting additional resources for campus expansion/contraction, and assist in compiling forward maintenance plans for future years while advising on campus condition.
• Lead the forward maintenance plans for future years and advise on campus condition.
• Manage the emergency response process to ensure adequate cover and responsive service provision meeting required service levels.
• Account for annual budgets for planned and reactive maintenance, providing monthly reporting and management information for future budgets and five‑year plans.
• Develop and implement a sustainable, environmentally aware, low‑carbon and energy‑efficient approach to minor works and repairs.

People Management

• Lead the team to ensure clear objectives and focus.
• Develop a culture of continuous improvement where ownership and efficient resolution of issues are expected; promote excellent customer service, teamwork and empower the team to use initiative to exceed expectations.
• Ensure business cases justify decisions about delivery method (outsourced/in‑sourced) to provide the best quality of service and access to specialist skills within budget.
• Hold overall responsibility for compliance of building systems and safety for contractors and directly employed staff.
• Ensure clear roles and responsibilities within the team for compliance and that they receive adequate training and resources.

Person Specification

• A degree qualification in Building Services, Engineering or equivalent experience.
• National Examination Board Health and Safety Certificate (NEBOSH) or equivalent.
• Chartered and a member of a related professional body such as CIBSE, CIOB or equivalent.
• Broad spectrum of knowledge in Building Service Management covering building fabric, electrical and mechanical.
• Significant relevant senior experience within a large complex (equivalent) organisation.
• Significant experience and background of managing and maintaining large local infrastructure and plant.
• Detailed H&S knowledge and background with evidence of improving H&S culture in an organisation.
• Ability to design and implement significant change and re‑organisation programmes in a unionised environment.
• Ability to plan, strategically manage and organise complex services operations that are performance and date critical.
• Ability to work as part of a senior team with conflicting priorities.

Desirable

• A postgraduate qualification in a building, engineering or management related subject.
• Management of asbestos in buildings qualification BOHS P405/3.
• NEBOSH General Certificate, Certificate in Fire Safety, Certificate in Construction.
• Experience developing, placing and working with various forms of JCT/NEC3 contracts.
• Working knowledge of the delivery of projects in a Higher Education environment.
• Ability to use AutoCAD; understanding of REVIT, BIM.
• Lean process practitioner.

This role is for an immediate start and will offer an excellent opportunity to work for a large leading one‑site university.