Shift Manager (Engineering) in London

Role: Shift Manager - Onsite Role Overview The Shift Manager is a hands-on operational leadership role responsible for leading the shift engineering team and ensuring seamless 24/7 building operations. This position focuses on real-time response coordination, shift team supervision, operational continuity across shift patterns, and maintaining immediate system availability during out-of-hours periods. The role requires physical presence during shift operations and direct oversight of shift engineers executing maintenance and reactive tasks. Key Responsibilities Shift Team Leadership & Direct Supervision · Provide on-shift leadership and direct supervision of shift engineers, ensuring immediate task prioritization and technical guidance during operational periods · Conduct daily shift briefings and end-of-shift debriefs to communicate priorities, safety alerts, and operational handovers · Build and maintain high-performing shift teams through active coaching, on-the-job mentoring, and real-time performance feedback · Manage shift team attendance, absences, and daily resource deployment to maintain operational coverage · Perform on-shift capability assessments and identify skill development needs for individual shift engineers · Lead by example through hands-on involvement in technical tasks during critical situations or resource constraints · Foster team cohesion and morale across shift patterns, ensuring consistent standards between different shift teams 24/7 Operational Continuity & Real-Time Response · Maintain operational command during assigned shift periods, ensuring immediate response to all building system alerts and failures · Monitor live Building Management Systems (BMS), fire alarm panels, and critical system dashboards throughout shift operations · Coordinate rapid response to equipment breakdowns, alarms, and emergency situations requiring immediate engineering intervention · Direct shift engineers on urgent reactive tasks, prioritizing based on operational impact and client requirements · Execute real-time decision-making for system isolations, emergency shutdowns, and critical equipment changeovers · Manage simultaneous incidents during shift periods, deploying resources effectively to minimize service disruption · Provide technical troubleshooting support to shift engineers for complex system failures or diagnostic challenges · Maintain continuous communication with building security, client representatives, and on-call stakeholders during incidents Shift Handover Management & Communication · Execute structured shift handovers with incoming/outgoing Shift Engineering Managers or day team supervisors · Maintain comprehensive shift logs documenting incidents, completed works, ongoing issues, and outstanding actions · Ensure all critical information is communicated clearly between shift teams to prevent information loss or task duplication · Update work management systems in real-time with shift activities, reactive responses, and job status changes · Brief Engineering Manager on significant shift events, trends, or emerging issues requiring management attention · Coordinate with day teams on tasks requiring follow-up, specialist input, or continuation beyond shift hours Out-of-Hours & Emergency Coordination · Serve as primary escalation point for all engineering emergencies during shift periods · Mobilize emergency response resources including on-call specialists, contractors, or additional shift engineers when required · Coordinate with emergency services (fire, police, ambulance) during critical incidents affecting building safety or operations · Execute emergency procedures including evacuations, system isolations, or building lockdowns as required · Manage client communication during out-of-hours emergencies, providing timely updates on incident status and resolution timelines · Document emergency incidents thoroughly, including actions taken, resources deployed, and lessons learned · Participate in on-call rota as required to provide management support outside standard shift patterns Reactive Maintenance Execution & Quality Control · Oversee shift engineers executing reactive maintenance tasks, ensuring work quality and timely completion · Verify completed reactive works meet technical standards before signing off jobs in work management systems · Conduct spot-checks on shift engineer workmanship during and after task completion · Ensure all reactive works are properly documented with accurate time recording, parts usage, and technical notes · Monitor reactive backlog during shifts, ensuring aged jobs are progressed and nothing is overlooked · Coordinate specialist contractor callouts for reactive works beyond in-house capability during shift periods Shift-Based Planned Maintenance Delivery · Monitor PPM completion throughout shifts, ensuring targets are met and work quality is maintained · Conduct random quality checks on completed PPMs to verify compliance with specifications and procedures · Address PPM overruns or incomplete tasks by reassigning resources or escalating to Engineering Manager · Update maintenance management systems with accurate PPM completion records before end of shift Shift Operations Health & Safety · Enforce safe working practices during all shift activities, challenging unsafe behaviours immediately · Conduct shift-based safety walks and plant room inspections, identifying and rectifying hazards · Ensure shift engineers use correct PPE, tools, and equipment for all tasks · Verify Permit to Work compliance for all shift activities requiring isolation or high-risk work · Coordinate safe contractor access during shift periods, verifying RAMS and monitoring on-site activities · Report all incidents, near-misses, and safety observations occurring during shift operations · Lead shift-based safety briefings on new procedures, lessons learned, or seasonal hazards · Maintain shift-accessible safety documentation including emergency contact lists and procedure guides Live System Monitoring & Performance Optimization · Continuously monitor critical system parameters (temperatures, pressures, flows, power consumption) during shifts · Identify abnormal operating conditions and direct corrective actions before failures occur · Optimize system performance during low-occupancy periods through parameter adjustments or equipment sequencing · Coordinate planned testing and commissioning activities during shift periods to minimize occupant impact · Maintain plant room and equipment compound cleanliness standards through shift team accountability · Conduct shift-based equipment inspections recording meter readings, visual conditions, and abnormal observations Shift Resource & Task Management · Deploy shift engineers efficiently across multiple tasks, balancing reactive demands with planned work · Monitor engineer productivity and time utilization throughout shifts, addressing inefficiencies immediately · Ensure shift teams have necessary tools, equipment, spare parts, and consumables to complete assigned tasks · Coordinate shift vehicle usage and ensure proper maintenance, cleanliness, and security of fleet assets · Manage shift break schedules to maintain continuous operational coverage · Track and control shift overtime, ensuring appropriate authorization before additional hours are worked Technical Documentation & Record Keeping · Maintain accurate shift logs recording all activities, incidents, system changes, and communications · Ensure shift engineers complete job cards, timesheets, and system updates accurately and promptly · Update asset registers with new equipment information or changes identified during shift operations · Photograph and document equipment conditions, defects, or completed works as required · Maintain shift-accessible technical documentation including drawings, manuals, and contact information · Archive shift records systematically for audit trails and historical reference Essential Skills & Experience Shift Leadership & Team Management · Proven experience leading engineering teams in shift-based, 24/7 operational environments · Ability to motivate and direct teams during unsociable hours including nights, weekends, and holidays · Strong situational leadership skills to adapt management style based on real-time operational demands · Experience managing shift handovers and maintaining operational continuity across multiple teams · Comfortable making autonomous decisions during out-of-hours periods with limited management support Operational & Technical Competence · Minimum 5 years' experience in shift operations or supervisory roles within facilities management or industrial environments · Hands-on technical competence across electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and plumbing systems · Practical troubleshooting ability to diagnose and resolve equipment failures under time pressure · Experience working with Building Management Systems (BMS) for monitoring and control · Understanding of critical building systems including life safety, power distribution, and HVAC controls Emergency Response & Decision-Making · Proven track record managing technical emergencies and coordinating rapid response activities · Ability to remain calm under pressure and make sound decisions during critical incidents · Experience liaising with emergency services and managing building evacuations or lockdowns · Strong risk assessment capability to evaluate situations and implement appropriate safety measures · Confidence to escalate appropriately while taking ownership of shift-period incidents Systems & Documentation · Experience using computerized maintenance management systems (Corrigo, Maximo, or similar) · Competent with mobile devices and tablets for real-time system updates and communication · Strong written communication skills for shift logs, incident reports, and handover documentation · Practical knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) for reporting and communication Health & Safety · Valid IOSH Managing Safely certification (essential) · Thorough knowledge of Health & Safety regulations applicable to shift operations · Experience implementing Permit to Work systems and managing safe isolations · Practical understanding of RAMS review and contractor safety supervision · Commitment to zero-harm safety culture and willingness to challenge unsafe practices Flexibility & Availability · Willingness to work rotating shift patterns including nights, weekends, public holidays, and seasonal variations · Availability for on-call duties as part of management rota · Flexibility to adjust shift patterns based on operational requirements or emergency situations · Full UK driving licence for travel between sites or emergency callouts Desirable Qualifications & Experience · City & Guilds, NVQ Level 3, HNC, or equivalent engineering qualifications · Experience in high-availability environments (data centres, hospitals, manufacturing, airports) · Familiarity with cooling towers, water treatment systems, and associated compliance · Exposure to service desk or help desk operations · Professional body membership (IWFM, CIBSE, IET)