Head Of Building Services
2 days ago
Croydon
Building Services Manager \n We are seeking an experienced and strategically minded Building Services Manager to lead the building engineering and technical services function across a diverse residential and commercial property portfolio. \n This senior leadership role is responsible for the strategic oversight, governance and delivery of major works, capital investment, lifecycle programmes and statutory compliance. You will lead a multidisciplinary Building Services Team comprising Surveyors, Engineers, Technical Specialists and support staff, acting as the organisation’s principal technical authority. \n Reporting to the Director of Property, you will work closely with senior leadership and colleagues across Property Management, Legal, Insurance, Health & Safety and other corporate functions. The role offers an excellent opportunity to influence asset value, regulatory compliance, capital investment and service quality. \n Key Responsibilities \n Leadership & Team Management \n\n • Provide strategic and operational leadership to the Building Services Team, setting objectives, KPIs and performance standards.\n, • Drive accountability, professional development, technical excellence, innovation and best practice.\n, • Provide expert technical advice across the wider organisation.\n\n Major Works & Asset Management \n\n • Lead the planning, validation and delivery of major works and capital investment programmes.\n, • Develop and maintain 10-year CAPEX and lifecycle plans, prioritising investment, lifecycle costs and risk.\n, • Oversee the scoping, specification, costing, procurement and delivery of major works and refurbishment projects.\n, • Act as the senior escalation point for complex, high-value projects, including variations, disputes and stakeholder issues.\n, • Chair Major Works review meetings, monitoring progress, risks, budgets and programme delivery.\n\n Procurement & Commercial Management \n\n • Develop and implement procurement and tendering strategies.\n, • Oversee the selection, appointment and performance of contractors, consultants and professional advisers.\n, • Ensure procurement and project delivery comply with governance, statutory requirements and industry best practice.\n, • Monitor budgets, costs, variations, contractual performance and value for money.\n\n Technical & Statutory Compliance \n\n • Provide strategic oversight of statutory compliance programmes, including gas safety (CP12), electrical testing, water hygiene and asbestos management.\n, • Ensure inspections, certification and compliance documentation are current, effectively managed and auditable.\n, • Work with Health & Safety colleagues to manage technical risks, particularly within high-risk and high-rise buildings.\n, • Monitor regulatory and industry developments and advise senior leadership.\n\n Stakeholder & Resident Engagement \n\n • Ensure effective communication with residents and stakeholders throughout major works.\n, • Oversee Section 20 consultation processes and ensure statutory requirements are met.\n, • Support Resident Association meetings and explain proposed works clearly and professionally.\n, • Present major projects, technical reports, risks and investment proposals to senior management, committees and the Company Board.\n, • Work with the Head of Residential Property and Area Offices to ensure effective integration of technical and property management services.\n\n Legal & Dispute Support \n\n • Provide expert technical advice and evidence for legal proceedings, including First-tier Tribunal (FTT) and court cases.\n, • Prepare technical reports, witness statements and supporting documentation.\n, • Represent the organisation at hearings where required and act as a technical subject matter expert.\n\n Quality & Performance \n\n • Monitor internal teams, contractors and consultants against agreed standards, service levels and contractual obligations.\n, • Drive continuous improvement in project delivery, quality, efficiency and cost control.\n, • Provide technical guidance on construction, maintenance, defects and building-related issues.\n, • Work with Insurance on claims relating to building defects and works.\n, • Ensure residential property management teams maintain appropriate standards in relation to building works.\n\n Emergency Response \n\n • Act as an authorised decision-maker for out-of-hours emergency building works.\n, • Provide senior escalation support for urgent building-related issues, ensuring risks are assessed and action taken promptly.\n\n About You \n Essential requirements: \n\n • MRICS qualification is required.\n, • Significant experience in building services, building surveying, engineering, property or a related discipline.\n, • Proven experience leading and developing multidisciplinary technical teams.\n, • Strong experience managing major works, refurbishment and capital investment programmes.\n, • Excellent knowledge of building-related statutory compliance, health & safety and regulatory requirements.\n, • Experience of procurement, tendering, contractor management and commercial governance.\n, • Strong financial and commercial awareness, including significant project budgets.\n, • Experience managing complex stakeholders, including residents, contractors, consultants and senior management.\n, • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly.\n, • Strong judgement, decision-making and problem-solving skills, operating confidently at strategic and operational levels.\n, • Experience of disputes, legal proceedings or First-tier Tribunal matters would be advantageous.\n\n What We’re Looking For \n You will be a confident, credible and commercially aware technical leader who can balance technical excellence, regulatory compliance, asset protection, cost control and customer service. \n You will be comfortable taking ownership of complex issues, challenging poor performance, managing competing priorities and providing clear advice to senior stakeholders. A proactive, solutions-focused approach and the ability to lead teams and programmes to deliver measurable improvements are essential. \n To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Zara Benson at Next Chapter Talent.