Service & Maintenance Manager | HVAC | South London | £75,000–£85,000 plus Benefits Package Build & Lead a New Department | Established Mechanical Contractor | Technical Leadership | Commercial Responsibility An established Mechanical Building Services contractor is looking for an experienced Service & Maintenance Manager to establish, lead and develop a new dedicated Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) department. This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys combining technical knowledge with commercial responsibility, taking ownership of service delivery, customer relationships and the development of a profitable maintenance operation. The company has more than 25 years of experience within the Building Services industry, delivering mechanical design, installation and commissioning across a varied client base. Its wider project experience includes commercial offices, education, healthcare, retail, cultural buildings and high-end residential developments. You will work closely with the Managing Director and Office Manager, with an initial team of two Service Engineers reporting to you. As the department develops, you will have the opportunity to shape its working practices, strengthen customer relationships and contribute directly to its long-term success. For an experienced Service & Maintenance Manager who enjoys building something and seeing the results of their work, this offers genuine ownership, technical variety and the opportunity to make a lasting contribution within an established business. The Opportunity As Service & Maintenance Manager, you will take responsibility for establishing the department and overseeing its operational and commercial performance. The role combines technical leadership, engineer coordination and customer management with responsibility for service standards, budgets, profitability and developing additional business. Your responsibilities will include: * Establishing effective departmental processes for scheduling, reporting, customer communication and service delivery. * Managing planned preventative maintenance programmes against contractual requirements and agreed timescales. * Coordinating reactive maintenance, breakdowns and emergency call-outs. * Planning engineers' workloads, providing technical support and maintaining efficient resource allocation. * Overseeing service reports, asset registers, job sheets and maintenance documentation. * Managing departmental budgets, quotations, supplier arrangements and external contractors. * Building strong customer relationships, attending contract reviews and identifying opportunities for additional maintenance business. * Monitoring revenue, costs and profitability, reporting commercial performance and potential risks to the Managing Director. * Conducting site inspections and maintaining appropriate health and safety standards. You will work closely with the Office Manager to ensure the department operates efficiently, customers receive a responsive service and engineers have the support and information needed to deliver their work. This is an opportunity to take meaningful ownership of a developing department, balancing day-to-day operational responsibilities with the commercial judgement needed to build a successful maintenance operation. About You You will bring strong experience within HVAC or Mechanical Building Services maintenance, together with the technical knowledge, organisational ability and commercial awareness to lead a service operation. We are looking for: * At least five years' relevant service and maintenance management experience, or substantial experience in a senior service-engineering position. * Strong technical knowledge of HVAC equipment, including air conditioning, chillers, boilers, air source heat pumps, BMS and associated controls. * A practical understanding of maintenance, fault diagnosis and repair. * Experience leading engineers or subcontractors and coordinating operational workloads. * Experience managing planned preventative maintenance programmes and reactive service requirements. * Commercial awareness covering quotations, budgets, cost control, maintenance contracts and profitability. * Strong organisational skills and confidence managing competing priorities. * Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and service management or scheduling systems. * Relevant technical qualifications, such as NVQ Level 3 or above, or an engineering HNC. * A full UK driving licence. You should be approachable, organised and commercially minded, with the confidence to resolve technical challenges, support colleagues and develop lasting customer relationships. Applications are also welcomed from experienced Senior HVAC Service Engineers who have demonstrated leadership, operational coordination and commercial responsibility and are ready to progress into a dedicated management position. What's on Offer? * £75,000–£85,000 basic salary, reflective of experience and seniority. * Opportunity to establish and develop a new dedicated service and maintenance department. * Direct working relationship with the Managing Director. * Support from an established Mechanical Building Services business and experienced Office Manager. * Initial responsibility for two Service Engineers, with scope to develop the department as the business grows. * Opportunity to influence service standards, operational processes and customer relationships. * Genuine ownership of departmental performance and the opportunity to contribute to long-term business growth. Location and Working Arrangements The company is based in South London, with the position combining office-based management responsibilities, site inspections, customer meetings and technical support. You will oversee planned preventative maintenance, reactive works and emergency call-out coordination, ensuring the team responds effectively to customer requirements. The precise arrangements for office attendance, site travel and any personal participation in out-of-hours support will be discussed during the recruitment process. Interested? If you are an experienced Service & Maintenance Manager with a strong HVAC background looking for the opportunity to build a department, lead a team and make a direct contribution to an established Mechanical Building Services business, please apply with your up-to-date CV or contact Rob Green at David Leslie Ltd for a confidential and informal discussion. We would also welcome enquiries from experienced Senior HVAC Service Engineers who possess the technical, leadership and commercial capabilities to make the transition into service management. Also suitable for: HVAC Service Manager, Air Conditioning Service Manager, Mechanical Maintenance Manager, HVAC Maintenance Manager or Senior HVAC Service Engineer seeking progression into management
Maintenance Manager employer: DAVID LESLIE LTD
Join a leading Mechanical & Electrical Building Services contractor in the South West, where you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering innovative projects. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package including car allowance, this company fosters a collaborative work culture that values your contributions and encourages professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Maintenance Manager
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like DAVID LESLIE LTD, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Maintenance Manager at DAVID LESLIE LTD.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at DAVID LESLIE LTD
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
