Engineering Director - Utilities and Facilities in Ware
Engineering Director - Utilities and Facilities

Engineering Director - Utilities and Facilities in Ware

Ware Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
GlaxoSmithKline

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead utilities and facilities strategy, ensuring compliance and operational excellence.
  • Company: Join GSK, a leader in science and technology, at our Ware Campus.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to make a real impact.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to influence senior stakeholders.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of a critical manufacturing and R&D campus with your expertise.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Engineering and strong experience in utilities and facilities required.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

At GSK, we unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. Our Ware Campus is a critical, complex and highly regulated site supporting both GSC and R&D operations. We are now looking for an experienced Engineering Director – Utilities and Facilities to lead the strategy, performance and continuous improvement of all site utilities and facilities. This is a senior leadership role with real scale, responsibility and impact – shaping the long‑term resilience, sustainability and future‑readiness of a key GSK manufacturing and research campus.

The Role

As Engineering Director Utilities & Facilities, you will have end‑to‑end accountability for utilities and facilities operations across the Ware site. You will lead a large, multidisciplinary organisation of GSK engineers and embedded contractors, setting and delivering a clear strategy that ensures secure supply, regulatory compliance, operational excellence and value for money. You will act as the site technical authority for utilities and facilities, with responsibility for long‑term asset performance, capital planning and continuous improvement — all while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

  • Define, sponsor and deliver a five‑year integrated utilities and facilities strategy to ensure the Ware Campus remains flexible, compliant and fit for future operations, with regular review and governance.
  • Act as the single point of accountability for all utilities and facilities operations across GSC and R&D at Ware, leading a team of over 40 GSK engineers and technicians and more than 150 embedded contract staff.
  • Ensure utilities and facilities are designed, operated and maintained in full compliance with cGMP, safety, environmental, statutory and regulatory requirements.
  • Provide technical leadership and act as a subject matter expert for site utilities such as HVAC, compressed air, nitrogen and purified water, including the review and approval of system modifications.
  • Ensure the secure, continuous and cost‑effective supply of all site utilities, embedding continuous improvement methodologies to drive efficiency and productivity.
  • Own and manage a utilities and facilities operating budget of approximately £15m, alongside stewardship of assets valued at ~£500m.
  • Identify and sponsor reliability, performance and efficiency improvements across utilities and facilities, aligned to agreed budgets.
  • Identify investment opportunities and ensure these are incorporated into Capital Investment Proposals and Facility Master Plans, with clear translation of site and customer requirements into project delivery.
  • Build strong relationships with senior GSK stakeholders and external service providers, ensuring effective service delivery and value through governance at site, regional and national levels.
  • Contribute to cross‑site and regional engineering governance, ensuring GSK benefits are realised consistently.

Why This Role Is Exciting

  • You will operate at senior leadership level, influencing both site strategy and wider GSK engineering direction.
  • You will lead one of the largest and most complex utilities and facilities operations within GSK.
  • You will shape the future readiness of a critical manufacturing and R&D campus.
  • You will balance long‑term strategic thinking with hands‑on technical leadership and operational excellence.

Basic Qualifications

  • A degree in Engineering or a related discipline.
  • Strong technical expertise in utilities and facilities within pharma/FMCG or other regulated industry.
  • Demonstrated experience within an engineering function.
  • Credibility as a technical authority, with experience influencing senior stakeholders.
  • Experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams including third‑party service providers.
  • Strong understanding of cGMP, quality, safety, environmental and regulatory requirements.
  • Experience in capital planning, asset management and operational budget ownership.
  • A collaborative leadership style, able to influence in matrix environments.
  • A track record of driving continuous improvement, risk management and operational resilience.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Chartered Engineer status (or working towards).
  • Background in mechanical, electrical or building services engineering.
  • Project or portfolio management experience.
  • Safety qualifications such as NEBOSH, ATEX or similar.

Closing Date for Applications – 19 May 2026 EOD

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

Engineering Director - Utilities and Facilities in Ware employer: GlaxoSmithKline

At GSK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the Engineering Director role at our Ware Campus in Hertfordshire. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and continuous improvement, while offering extensive opportunities for professional growth within a highly regulated environment. With a commitment to sustainability and operational excellence, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our critical manufacturing and R&D operations, all while enjoying a competitive benefits package and a supportive team atmosphere.
GlaxoSmithKline

Contact Detail:

GlaxoSmithKline Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Engineering Director - Utilities and Facilities in Ware

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at GSK on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the company culture and maybe even a referral!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by diving deep into GSK's recent projects and initiatives. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to their mission.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about your experiences leading teams and driving improvements. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep it structured and impactful.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can set you apart from other candidates. It shows us that you’re enthusiastic and professional.

We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Director - Utilities and Facilities in Ware

Engineering Degree
Technical Expertise in Utilities and Facilities
Leadership of Multidisciplinary Teams
Stakeholder Influence
cGMP Compliance
Capital Planning
Asset Management
Operational Budget Ownership
Continuous Improvement Methodologies
Risk Management
Project Management
Safety Qualifications (NEBOSH, ATEX)
Collaboration in Matrix Environments
Mechanical, Electrical or Building Services Engineering Knowledge

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Engineering Director role. Highlight your experience in utilities and facilities, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills and technical expertise. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past achievements and how they align with our mission at GSK. Let’s see your passion for engineering come through!

Showcase Your Leadership Style: As a senior leader, we’re keen to understand your leadership style. In your application, mention how you’ve successfully led multidisciplinary teams and influenced stakeholders. We love collaborative leaders who can drive continuous improvement!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at GSK. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at GlaxoSmithKline

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to utilities and facilities, especially in the pharma sector. Be prepared to discuss specific systems like HVAC and purified water, as well as compliance with cGMP standards.

✨Show Leadership Skills

Since this role involves leading a large team, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed multidisciplinary teams in the past. Highlight your collaborative leadership style and how you've influenced stakeholders in matrix environments.

✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions

Think about how you would define and deliver a five-year integrated strategy for utilities and facilities. Be ready to discuss your approach to capital planning and continuous improvement methodologies that drive efficiency.

✨Build Relationships

Demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships with senior stakeholders and external service providers. Prepare examples of how you've ensured effective service delivery and value through governance in previous roles.

Engineering Director - Utilities and Facilities in Ware
GlaxoSmithKline
Location: Ware

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>