Building Services Office Lead in Southampton

AtkinsRéalis are looking to recruit an experienced and forward‑thinking Building Services Lead to help establish, shape and grow our Building Services capability in Southampton, as part of the wider Midlands, South‑West and Wales Building Services Practice. This is a key leadership role focused on building a strong local team, developing our mechanical, electrical and public health engineering capability, strengthening our market presence and supporting the delivery of high‑quality multidisciplinary projects across the region.

AtkinsRéalis is more than just engineering. We are a world‑class engineering services and nuclear organisation, bringing together people, data and technology to transform infrastructure and energy systems. Our Building Services teams play a central role in creating safe, sustainable, resilient and efficient buildings and infrastructure, working collaboratively with clients and design teams to deliver practical, innovative and technically robust solutions. As a fully integrated multidisciplinary practice, you will work alongside architects, civil and structural engineers, project managers, cost consultants, environmental specialists and wider engineering disciplines.

Within the Midlands, South‑West and Wales business, our teams support projects across sectors including commercial, education, defence, energy, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, transport and local government. People are at the heart of our success and supporting, training and mentoring our staff is central to maintaining technical excellence, strong client relationships and a positive team culture.

Your role

• Provide strategic leadership in establishing and growing the Southampton Building Services team, supporting recruitment, team development, work winning, technical excellence and high-quality project delivery.
• Help build a sustainable local Building Services portfolio by engaging with clients, identifying opportunities and developing long‑term relationships across Southampton, the South Coast, the South‑West and Wales.
• Lead and coordinate building services engineering input across all project stages, ensuring solutions are integrated, coordinated, buildable and aligned with client requirements.
• Take responsibility for successful project delivery, including scope definition, technical quality, programme, resource planning, commercial performance, risk management and client satisfaction.
• Act as a visible leader for Building Services in Southampton, helping to shape the team’s direction, culture, workload, recruitment priorities and contribution to the wider regional and national practice.
• Support the set‑up and ongoing management of the team, including staff development, mentoring, resource planning, workload management, financial performance and collaboration with established Building Services teams across the region.
• Champion low‑carbon, energy‑efficient and resilient building services design, applying relevant standards, guidance, digital tools and best practice.
• Contribute to compelling bids, proposals and technical responses by defining robust engineering approaches, identifying differentiators and supporting fee development.
• Provide technical leadership and review of mechanical, electrical and public health design deliverables, ensuring outputs meet agreed standards, scope, programme and budget.

About you

• Degree qualified, or equivalent, in Building Services Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related discipline; Chartered Engineer.
• Demonstrable track record of leading building services engineering commissions, developing client relationships and contributing to the growth or establishment of teams in Southampton, the South Coast, the South‑West, Wales or comparable regional markets.
• Strong technical competence in mechanical, electrical and/or public health building services design, with the ability to understand interfaces across all MEP disciplines and wider multidisciplinary design teams.
• Experience preparing successful bids, tenders, fee proposals and technical submissions, with good commercial awareness and results orientation.
• Ability to confidently engage with clients, stakeholders, senior management, project teams and supply chain partners, with strong communication and influencing skills.
• A collaborative, entrepreneurial mindset, with the confidence to help build a team from an early stage, create momentum locally and connect effectively with established regional and national colleagues.
• Direct experience of leading and coordinating building services design packages across project stages, including responsibility for technical quality, design integration, risk management and delivery performance.
• Good awareness of digital design and BIM processes, including collaborative working in model‑based environments such as Revit, Navisworks or equivalent platforms.
• Knowledge of relevant UK building services standards, regulations and industry guidance, with an understanding of health, safety, sustainability, energy performance and design risk management obligations.

The opportunity to work both locally and within our national business to win and deliver work will mean that there will be a requirement for flexibility in respect of travel and location as project demands require.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Additional information

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong – a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.