At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering operations for a prestigious Grade I listed building and ensure its optimal performance.
- Company: Join EQUANS, a leader in engineering management with a focus on heritage preservation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with a strong focus on safety and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be part of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to manage a national treasure.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior engineering roles and managing multidisciplinary teams is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.
EQUANS are recruiting for an Engineering Manager to be based in Manchester (Manchester Town Hall). This is a permanent full-time role working 37 hours per week. On offer is a competitive salary, car allowance, bonus and benefits package.
General Overview
EQUANS are seeking an exceptional Engineering Manager to take full technical and operational leadership of a newly refurbished £550m Grade I listed building, guiding the asset through a soft landing phase into steady-state operation. This is a flagship role responsible for all hard services, KPI’s, the coordination of a multidisciplinary workforce, and the management of specialist subcontractors, while safeguarding the historic, architectural, and cultural significance of one of the UK’s most prestigious buildings. This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to take stewardship of a nationally significant building at a pivotal moment in its lifecycle. You’ll play a defining role in protecting, optimising, and future-proofing an iconic asset while leading a highly skilled engineering operation. The Engineering Manager will act as the technical authority on site, ensuring building systems operate safely, efficiently, compliantly, and in alignment with the original design intent and conservation requirements, operating within a complex, high-value, heritage environment.
Key Accountabilities
- Support the soft landing process, acting as the technical focal point between construction, commissioning, design teams, and operational engineering.
- Review and validate commissioning plans, test scripts, and integrated systems testing.
- Ensure full technical handover, including O&M manuals, asset data, drawings, control philosophies, and digital records.
- Verify systems operate in line with design intent, performance criteria, and conservation requirements.
- Maintain contract KPI’s when in steady state.
- Support the soft landing strategy, ensuring systems, processes, and people are fully operational and aligned with design intent.
- Act as the interface between construction teams, designers, commissioning engineers, and the client during handover and early occupation.
- Oversee/support commissioning, witnessing, snagging, and post-occupancy evaluation.
Hard Services Management
- Take supervisory responsibility for all hard services, including but not limited to:
- HV/LV electrical distribution and standby generation
- Electrical power and lighting
- Life safety systems (fire detection, suppression, evacuation)
- BMS and smart building technologies
- Water, drainage, and specialist heritage systems
- HVAC Systems
- Review RAMS, method statements, and technical proposals prior to works.
- Ensure building systems perform efficiently, safely, and in compliance with statutory, regulatory, and conservation requirements.
Leadership & Workforce Management
- Lead, motivate, and coordinate a multidisciplinary engineering and technical workforce, including in-house teams and external specialists.
- Manage a complex supply chain of specialist subcontractors, many operating in sensitive heritage conditions.
- Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance standards across all disciplines.
- Promote a strong culture of safety, collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
Heritage & Compliance
- Ensure all engineering activities respect the constraints and sensitivities of a Grade I listed building.
- Work closely with conservation specialists, heritage bodies, and stakeholders to balance operational performance with preservation requirements.
- Maintain full compliance with statutory regulations, conservation consents, health & safety legislation, and best practice standards.
Operational Readiness & Performance
- Develop and embed operational procedures, maintenance regimes, and lifecycle plans aligned to the asset’s long-term value.
- Monitor system performance, energy efficiency, and resilience during early occupation and beyond.
- Identify risks, defects, or performance gaps and lead corrective actions promptly and effectively.
Technical Compliance & Risk
- Act as the technical support for statutory compliance, including:
- Building Safety Act obligations
- Fire safety systems and life-critical assets
- Electrical safety and pressure systems
- Water hygiene and environmental compliance
- Maintain asset registers, compliance schedules, and certification.
- Implement permit-to-work, isolation procedures, and safe systems of work.
Stakeholder & Client Engagement
- Serve as a technical representative to the client, providing confidence, clarity, and expert leadership.
- Communicate complex engineering issues clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
- Support the reputation of the project and organisation through professionalism and technical excellence.
Benefits
- Pension Scheme
- 25 days annual leave (+ public holidays)
- Life Cover equivalent to 2 times annual salary
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
- Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
- Gym membership discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
- Broad range of learning opportunities, such as professional qualifications, collective/individual training, and personalised support programmes
Essential
- Proven experience in a senior engineering management role on large, complex buildings (£100m+)
- Strong background in building services engineering and hard services operations.
- Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and specialist subcontractors.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Experience working with Grade I or II listed buildings or culturally significant assets.
- Extensive experience in hard services engineering management within complex, high risk, public or mission-critical environments.
- Proven experience leading soft landing, commissioning, or major system handovers.
- Strong technical knowledge across mechanical, electrical, and life-safety systems.
- In-depth understanding of UK statutory compliance and building safety legislation.
Desirable
- Chartered Engineer status (CIBSE, IET, IMECHE, or equivalent).
- Experience with smart buildings, BMS optimisation, and sustainability strategies.
- Knowledge of conservation-led refurbishment and heritage governance.
Personal Attributes
- Calm, authoritative leader comfortable operating in high-profile environments.
- Detail-oriented with a whole-life approach to asset performance.
- Collaborative, resilient, and solutions-focused.
- Passionate about excellence in engineering, heritage stewardship, and operational delivery.
- Strong technical judgement and problem-solving capability.
- Structured, methodical approach to risk and compliance.
- Clear technical communication with both operational and senior stakeholders.
- High attention to detail and asset-protection mindset.
Experience
- Up to date relevant industry related knowledge
- Up to date relevant knowledge of Health and Safety legislation
Qualifications
- 18th edition BS7671:2018
- Level 3 NVQ in Electrotechnical Services – Electrical Installation Testing and inspection 2391 or equivalent.
- Level 3 5839 Part 1 Fundamentals FD&A
Engineering Manager in Manchester employer: Equans
EQUANS is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead the engineering management of a prestigious Grade I listed building in Manchester. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide extensive training opportunities, a competitive benefits package including a pension scheme and gym membership discounts, and a collaborative work culture that values safety and excellence. Join us to make a meaningful impact while working in a historic environment that champions both operational performance and heritage preservation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Manager in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Engineering Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how they align with your experience in managing complex buildings. This will help you stand out as the perfect fit for the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed multidisciplinary teams and handled challenging situations in high-stakes environments. This is key for an Engineering Manager role!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Engineering Manager role. Highlight your experience with large, complex buildings and any work you've done with Grade I listed properties. We want to see how your skills match up with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your leadership style and how you manage multidisciplinary teams.
Showcase Your Technical Knowledge:In your application, be sure to highlight your technical expertise in mechanical, electrical, and life-safety systems. We’re looking for someone who can confidently navigate compliance and risk management, so don’t hold back on those details!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us. Let’s get your journey started!
How to prepare for a job interview at Equans
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around building services engineering and hard services operations. Familiarise yourself with the specifics of managing multidisciplinary teams and the unique challenges of working with Grade I listed buildings.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and managing complex projects. Think about times when you've motivated a workforce or navigated tricky stakeholder relationships, as these will be key in demonstrating your fit for the Engineering Manager role.
✨Understand the Soft Landing Process
Since this role involves overseeing the soft landing phase, be ready to discuss your experience with commissioning and system handovers. Have a clear understanding of what it takes to ensure systems operate efficiently and safely during this critical transition.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex engineering concepts in simple terms. You'll need to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, so being able to break down intricate details will show your ability to lead and engage with diverse audiences.
