Technical Services Manager

Wates Smartspace; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Wates Smartspace is seeking a Technical Services Manager in Southampton to lead M&E and building services for a critical facilities management contract. The role requires technical leadership, strong stakeholder management, and delivery across compliance, maintenance, and lifecycle projects.

You will drive technical governance, manage external contractors, and support audits while ensuring safe, compliant operations for a high-profile client in a fast-paced FM environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Technical Services/FM leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical and electrical building services in FM.
• Experience managing compliance and statutory obligations across complex estates.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across M&E and building services.
• Ensure statutory compliance and technical governance across the contract estate.
• Support planned preventive maintenance, reactive works and lifecycle projects.
• Review and approve technical proposals, specs, reports and solutions.
• Monitor contractor performance and ensure safe, compliant delivery.
• Lead technical investigations and root-cause analyses.
• Support audits and continual improvement initiatives.
• Manage technical risk and asset management practices.
• Build relationships with client reps, operations and supply chain partners.
• Contribute to budget management, forecasting and value-for-money initiatives.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

Problem solving

Decision making

Driving licence

Education

HNC/HND or Degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Building Services Engineering

Professional membership (IEng, CEng, IWFM, CIBSE or IET)

Tools

CAFM systems

Job description

Technical Services Manager

Southampton, Hampshire WPS Full Time | Permanent

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Technical Services Manager to join our team delivering critical facilities management services across the Hampshire Blue Light Contract.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in ensuring the safe, compliant and efficient delivery of mechanical, electrical and specialist building services across a high-profile emergency services portfolio. You will provide technical leadership, drive service excellence and ensure compliance with statutory and contractual requirements while supporting the delivery of exceptional outcomes for our client.

Working within a collaborative and fast-paced FM environment, you'll act as the technical expert for building services, supporting operational teams, subcontractors and stakeholders to maintain resilient and effective facilities that enable vital frontline services.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across all M&E and building services activities.
• Ensure statutory compliance and technical governance across the contract estate.
• Support the delivery of planned preventative maintenance, reactive works and lifecycle projects.
• Review and approve technical proposals, specifications, reports and engineering solutions.
• Monitor contractor performance and ensure works are completed safely, compliantly and to the required standards.
• Lead technical investigations, root cause analysis and resolution of complex engineering issues.
• Support audits and inspections while driving continual improvement initiatives.
• Manage technical risk and ensure robust asset management practices are in place.
• Build strong relationships with client representatives, operational teams and supply chain partners.
• Contribute to budget management, forecasting and value-for-money initiatives.

About You

We are looking for a technically competent FM professional with strong stakeholder management skills and a passion for delivering high-quality services within a critical environment.

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience in a Technical Services Manager, Technical FM Manager or similar engineering leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical and electrical building services within a facilities management environment.
• Experience managing compliance and statutory obligations across complex estates.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation, specifications and engineering standards.
• Experience of managing specialist contractors and supply chain partners.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• HNC/HND or Degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Building Services Engineering.
• Professional membership such as IEng, CEng, IWFM, CIBSE or IET.
• Experience within emergency services, healthcare, public sector or other critical environments.
• Knowledge of CAFM systems and asset management principles.

Enhanced and Barred Lists:

Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo an Enhanced and Barred Lists Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks.

To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting