At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Mechanical and Electrical maintenance operations across multiple campuses, ensuring safety and efficiency.
- Company: Join Imperial College London, a world-leading institution dedicated to using science for humanity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 41 days of annual leave, flexible working, and generous pension schemes.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse and inclusive culture with excellent personal and professional support.
- Why this job: Make a visible impact on campus operations while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Professional qualification in a relevant field and proven experience in Building Services required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.
Imperial College London is seeking two Heads of Maintenance Operations to lead the day-to-day management of Mechanical and Electrical property and facilities services across the university. One role will be based at South Kensington Campus, while the other will oversee White City, Hammersmith and Silwood Park Campuses, offering two exciting opportunities to make a visible impact across the Imperial estate.
You will be responsible for ensuring services are delivered to agreed service levels, within budget, and in line with institutional policies and procedures. Working closely with Maintenance Managers, Project Managers and colleagues across the Property Division, you will provide technical leadership on maintenance matters, support the integration of maintenance requirements into major projects, and oversee the effective handover of completed works. As part of the Property Division’s Centre of Expertise, you will play a key role in delivering safe, compliant and customer-focused maintenance services that support the operational readiness of buildings across teaching, research and wider campus activity.
What you would be doing
You will lead the coordination and delivery of Mechanical and Electrical maintenance operations, ensuring buildings, systems and infrastructure remain safe, compliant, efficient and fit for purpose. Your role will involve planning improvement works, providing technical advice, supporting major projects, overseeing critical assets and driving service excellence while minimising disruption to campus activity. You will also work closely with stakeholders across the estate, communicate service impacts and ensure maintenance supports operational readiness.
Your responsibilities will include leading and developing a multi-disciplinary team, managing contractors and ensuring all works meet Imperial standards, legal requirements and health and safety obligations. You will oversee budgets, plant replacement planning, audits, planned preventative maintenance, reporting and performance monitoring, while tracking risks, costs and timescales. You will also support change projects, manage building shutdowns, ensure accurate handovers and documentation, and promote continuous improvement, collaboration and excellent customer service.
What we are looking for
- A professional qualification at Level 4, or above, in a relevant field to the duties of the post or equivalent experience
- Proven experience in Building Services and experience developing and improving the Service Level Agreements
- Planning and organising Mechanical and Electrical shutdowns
- A high level of people management skills, to train, inspire, motivate and encourage staff in the implementation of their duties
- A thorough working knowledge of all aspects of building services equipment and systems found within high tech buildings, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and knowledge of the Trend Building Management System
- In depth knowledge of Health & Safety and Building Legislation
- Excellent interpersonal, spoken and written communication skills including ability to negotiate, motivate, influence, persuade and build relationships in an enthusiastic and diplomatic way
What we can offer you
The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity. Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes). Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme. Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel. Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.
Further information
Please be advised that we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this vacancy. If you require any further details on the role please contact: Mickie Turner-Goble, Property Divisional Administration Manager – csadmin@imperial.ac.uk
Head of Maintenance Operations employer: Imperial College London
As a Section Manager at Imperial College, you will thrive in a world-renowned institution dedicated to advancing research for the benefit of humanity. Enjoy a competitive salary and an impressive benefits package, including 41 days of annual leave, flexible working options, and access to on-site leisure facilities. Join a diverse and inclusive work culture that prioritises your personal and professional growth, making it an exceptional place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Maintenance Operations
✨Networking in the Right Circles
Dive into communities focused on building systems and supply engineering. Join LinkedIn groups, attend industry-specific trade shows, and don’t shy away from local meetups. These are golden opportunities to connect with industry professionals who could help you land that full-time role at places like Imperial College London.
✨Showcase Your Projects
If you've worked on any projects—big or small—related to building systems, make sure to showcase them! Creating a portfolio or a detailed case study on your approach can do wonders. It’s all about showing prospective employers, like Imperial College London, that you’ve got hands-on experience and a solid understanding of the field.
✨Leverage University Resources
Are you still connected with your university? Tap into their career services! Many universities have relationships with firms in the building systems sector and can provide leads on exclusive job openings. This could be your ticket to landing the full-time job you want.
✨Get Involved in Professional Bodies
Consider joining professional organisations related to building systems and supply engineering. These often have job boards, career development events, and networking opportunities. Engaging with these can significantly increase your visibility to firms like Imperial College London and may help you secure that full-time position sooner!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Maintenance Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Engineering Skills:In the building systems supply engineering field, make sure to highlight your technical skills in your CV. Include any relevant software certifications or engineering tools you’re proficient with. Demonstrating your ability to use industry-specific technologies can really set you apart!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love to see how you've made an impact in your previous roles. When detailing your work experience, try to include quantifiable achievements—like how you improved a system’s efficiency by a percentage or managed a project that saved your last company X amount. This shows you're results-driven and could help us at Imperial College London.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t just reuse the same old cover letter! Personalise it for the Head of Maintenance Operations role at Imperial College London. Talk about your passion for building systems and why this position excites you. We want to see your personality shine through and how you envision contributing to our team.
Include Relevant Projects:If you’ve worked on specific projects related to building systems supply engineering, don’t forget to mention them! Include any reports or case studies that showcase your problem-solving abilities and project management skills. This portfolio of work can really illustrate your expertise to us.
How to prepare for a job interview at Imperial College London
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
For a role in building systems supply engineering, make sure you're clued up about the latest technologies and tools in the field. Brush up on your knowledge of HVAC systems, plumbing, electrical layouts, and any relevant software used in modelling or design.
✨Showcase Real Projects
Since this is a full-time position, the interviewers will be keen to see your relevant experience. Bring along a portfolio that highlights the projects you've worked on, focusing on your role and the impact you had. Be ready to discuss the challenges faced and how you overcame them.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during your interview. They may ask how you would approach a specific design challenge or troubleshoot an existing system. Think about examples from your past work where you successfully tackled problems, and be ready to articulate your thought process.
✨Understand the Industry Landscape
It's crucial to have a good grasp of the current trends affecting building systems, like sustainable engineering practices or smart technology integration. Familiarise yourself with recent advancements and be prepared to discuss how they might influence your work at Imperial College London.
