Mechanical Services Manager

Cardiff University; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university seeks a Mechanical Services Manager to oversee critical mechanical systems and ensure compliance with health and safety standards. The successful candidate will lead a team and manage contractors within an operationally complex environment. Applicants should have technical qualifications in Mechanical Building Services Engineering, experience in contract management, and strong problem-solving skills. This full-time role offers generous leave, pension contributions, and a salary range of £51,753 to £56,535 per annum, with some flexibility for home working.

Benefits

Generous annual leave of 37 days

High employer pension contributions

Use of University’s leisure and cultural facilities

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Recognised technical training in Mechanical Building Services Engineering.
• Substantial experience in mechanical discipline.
• Experience in managing teams in a complex operational environment.
• Demonstrated experience in developing safe systems of work.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical services team for maintenance operations.
• Develop and update the Mechanical Safe Systems of Work.
• Ensure compliance with statutory regulations and industry standards.
• Act as an authorised person for mechanical systems.

Skills

Contract management

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Higher National Diploma (HND) or equivalent

Tools

AutoCAD

CAFM

BEMS

Job description

Overview

Cardiff University is seeking a Mechanical Services Manager to join our Building Services Team within the Estates Department. This exciting role will ensure the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of critical mechanical systems across our large and complex estate, supporting research, teaching, and residential functions. The successful candidate will lead the Building Services mechanical team, who oversee supplier-delivered planned, reactive, and remedial maintenance services. You will provide leadership in contract and compliance management, ensuring a high-quality, cost-effective service is delivered across the estate.

Key Responsibilities

In addition, this role will take the lead on developing and updating the University’s Mechanical Safe Systems of Work, working in partnership with external Authorising Engineers to ensure statutory compliance, best practice, and the highest standards of health and safety. You will act as an authorised and responsible person for a range of mechanical systems, ensuring compliance with statutory regulations, codes of practice, and good industry standards. In doing so, you will help the University manage risk, protect health and safety, and ensure operational continuity across our estate.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Recognised technical training and qualifications in Mechanical Building Services Engineering or a related discipline, typically to Higher National Diploma (HND), Foundation Degree, or bachelor’s degree level (Levels 5–6 on the RQF or equivalent), or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• Substantial experience within the mechanical discipline, with proven expertise in maintenance operations and compliance.
• Experience of managing teams and/or contractors in a complex operational environment.
• Strong skills in contract management, communication, and problem-solving, with the ability to deliver services that meet customer needs.
• Demonstrable experience of developing or implementing safe systems of work.
• Experience of delivering projects, condition surveys, lifecycle planning, and using specialist engineering software (e.g. AutoCAD, CAFM, BEMS).

Benefits and Compensation

• Generous annual leave of 37 days plus bank holidays.
• High employer pension contributions through the Universities Superannuation Scheme.
• Use of the University’s leisure and cultural facilities.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
• 35-hour working week.

This is a full-time, open-ended position, available immediately.

• Salary: £51,753 per annum (Grade 7) with 3 annual increments up to £56,535 per annum.
• Location: Cardiff University campus, with flexibility for occasional home working.

Due to the nature of University operations, some services operate 24/7. The successful candidate will be required to be flexible to deal with emergencies and escalations outside of standard hours, including bank holidays and shutdown periods.

If you’d like an informal discussion about the role, please email [e-mail]. Please use “Job Advert – Mechanical Services Manager” as the email subject.

Please note – the Person Specification is split into Essential and Desirable criteria. You should clearly demonstrate how you meet all the essential criteria in your Supporting Statement, providing examples where possible. This document must be uploaded as part of your online application.

Date advert posted: Thursday, 11 December 2025

Closing date: Thursday, 8 January 2026

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.