Regional Engineering Manager

We are seeking an experienced Regional Engineering Lead UK & Ireland to oversee MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) engineering delivery across a defined country cluster within our EMEA integrated facilities management portfolio serving a global asset management client. This leadership role requires a proven track record in engineering management within highly regulated environments, with responsibility for driving operational excellence, team development, and financial performance. The candidate will work strategically with the TSM’s based in London and Edinburgh. The successful candidate will lead a team of engineering professionals, ensuring seamless delivery of planned and reactive maintenance activities while maintaining the highest standards of compliance, security, and operational efficiency. This role reports to the EMEA Engineering & Compliance Lead and serves as the critical operational bridge between strategic direction and site-level execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Regional Leadership & Operations Management
  • Provide strategic oversight and operational leadership for engineering teams across assigned country cluster (UK & Ireland).
  • Plan, coordinate, and execute comprehensive planned preventive maintenance (PPM) programs across all regional facilities.
  • Manage reactive maintenance operations ensuring minimal business disruption and rapid response times.
  • Ensure consistent engineering standards and practices across all regional locations aligned with EMEA frameworks.
  • Travel regularly across the region (approximately 25-30%) to provide on-site leadership and support.
• Vendor & Contractor Management
  • Oversee in-country vendor provision supporting maintenance and reactive callout requirements for MEP/fire protection systems across regional portfolio.
  • Conduct site MEP maintenance reviews and associated meetings with vendors delivering in region.
  • Ensure vendor performance meets contractual Site Operational Manuals (SOMs) and KPI requirements.
  • Lead vendor selection processes and contract negotiations for regional scope.
  • Coordinate with EMEA Lead on vendor mobilization and third-party integration management.
• Team Leadership & Development
  • Lead and develop a team of engineering professionals across multiple locations (typically 20-30 staff).
  • Drive performance management, career development, and succession planning initiatives.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement, safety excellence, and technical innovation.
  • Manage cross-functional collaboration between engineering teams and business stakeholders.
  • Provide mentorship and technical guidance to Site-based Technicians and Lead Engineers.
• Financial Management
  • Own and manage regional engineering budgets, ensuring cost-effective operations while maintaining service quality.
  • Develop and monitor regional KPIs including system uptime, response times, cost per square foot, and customer satisfaction.
  • Manage internal and external service level agreements ensuring contractual obligations are met or exceeded.
  • Ensure accountability and control of engineering budgetary targets, demonstrating strong understanding of cost drivers.
  • Contribute to regional lifecycle planning and annual capital/revenue budget requests.
• Compliance & Risk Management
  • Ensure all engineering activities comply with EMEA compliance framework, local regulations, client standards (including CSO requirements), and internal audit requirements.
  • Conduct engineering audits; forward findings to CSO regional team without delay.
  • Maintain security protocols and manage access control systems in accordance with financial services standards.
  • Collaborate with risk management teams on business continuity planning and disaster recovery procedures.
  • Ensure full compliance with health & safety and engineering standards; promote culture of safety.
  • Support regulatory inspections and audit processes as required.
• Asset & Lifecycle Management
  • Maintain robust record keeping of plant defects; ensure defects log is maintained for each location and immediately available.
  • Manage lifecycle of plant with dedicated record of all assets per location, including replacement dates utilized for budget requests.
  • Lead regional asset validation program; conduct background planning for replacements including maintainability assessment, vendor support, technical submittals, and project plans.
  • Review and improve preventative maintenance procedures for all critical infrastructure systems utilizing CMMS and site-specific photographic plant round reporting.
  • Perform tests, rounds, and analyse data to assure proper functioning of all equipment.
• Operational Delivery & Project Support
  • Work with facility managers and provide education on equipment operations, preventive maintenance, and alarm response requirements.
  • Provide Project Management support for MEP portions of all office builds in occupied offices and sites with resident engineering presence.
  • Ensure daily MEP systems overview/photographic reports demonstrate team focus on all activities; review and approve Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS); authorize all isolations correctly per procedures.
  • Support regional CSO team with on-site presence at power downs, new build-out commissioning, and acceptance testing.
  • Lead operational mobilization of engineering operations within client sites being added or removed from portfolio.
• Technology & Systems
  • Drive adoption of CMMS (Corrigo/360 IT) and ensure all appropriate data is recorded.
  • Promote correct adoption of Change Management and e-permit systems by all MEP/fire systems vendors.
  • Leverage data to drive service delivery excellence and innovation.
  • Oversee BMS monitoring and energy efficiency control strategies across regional sites.
• Stakeholder Management & Communication
  • Partner with business leaders, technology teams, and corporate real estate stakeholders to align engineering delivery with business objectives.
  • Manage matrix relationships across regional and global teams, exercising influence without direct authority.
  • Proactively communicate with client community to build and maintain relationships.
  • Provide regular performance updates and reports to EMEA Engineering & Compliance Lead.
  • Establish and participate in monthly engineering forums with client stakeholders and JLL operational teams.
• Crisis Management & Emergency Response
  • Lead regional crisis management and emergency response coordination.
  • Oversee and coordinate incident management response, investigation, and governance process.
  • Maintain availability for emergency response to infrastructure failures and alarms.
  • Lead investigation of incidents in collaboration with QHSE and client teams.
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
  • Drive innovation to deliver cost optimization using quantifiable data-driven information.
  • Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes affecting engineering operations.
  • Collaborate with wider JLL engineering network to transfer knowledge relating to industry best practice, risk identification, and lessons learned.
  • Work collaboratively across service verticals (operations, small projects) to ensure engineering principles are embedded throughout lifecycle of works.

Required Qualifications

• Experience & Leadership
  • 5-10 years of engineering leadership experience, preferably within financial services or similarly regulated industries.
  • Proven track record managing teams of 20+ professionals across multiple locations.
  • Experience with budget management and P&L responsibility.
  • Demonstrated success in matrix management environments and stakeholder influencing.
• Technical & Industry Knowledge
  • Engineering degree (Mechanical, Electrical, or related discipline) or equivalent experience.
  • Strong knowledge of MEP systems, building automation, and facility management best practices.
  • Detailed understanding of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering standards.
  • Strong knowledge and demonstrable experience of mission-critical cooling systems, mechanical systems, fire suppression systems, and backup power systems.
  • Understanding of water hygiene management and L8/HSG 274 requirements.
  • Previous experience in banking, financial services, or highly regulated industry environments.
  • Familiarity with banking industry standards, audit processes, and compliance requirements.
• Systems & Technology
  • Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS such as Corrigo or 360 IT).
  • Understanding of smart building technology, building control systems, and communication protocols (BACnet, Modbus, SNMP, DALI).
  • Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Knowledge of network infrastructure fundamentals.
• Personal Attributes
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills in English; additional European languages advantageous.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.
  • Willingness to travel regularly across assigned region.
  • Strong interpersonal and judgment skills; ability to influence stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional engineering certification or equivalent industry credentials.
• Background in change management and organizational transformation.
• MBA or advanced business qualification.
• Multi-lingual capabilities (German, French, Hungarian, Spanish, Italian, or other regional languages).
• NEBOSH qualification.
• Experience with IoT technology and digital workplace solutions.

Security & Background Requirements

• Must pass comprehensive background checks and security clearance processes required for banking sector employment.
• Clean professional and personal history suitable for financial services environment.

Location & Work Arrangements

• Primary base location flexible within assigned regional cluster (e.g., London, Birmingham, Edinburgh & Dublin).
• Hybrid working model with regular regional travel required (25-30%).
• On-site presence required for crisis management and key stakeholder meetings.
• Availability for emergency response as required.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: EMEA Engineering & Compliance Lead
• Direct Reports: Site-based Technicians/Lead Engineers (5-15, depending on regional configuration)
• Matrix Relationships: Regional facility managers, client stakeholders, JLL project teams

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and regional market standards.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
• Travel allowance and regional mobility support.
• Performance-based incentive structure aligned with operational and financial KPIs.