Head of Engineering

PURPOSE OF THE JOB Develop, embed and champion strategic plans for lifts, electrical works, gas, heating, procurement, cost measurement and control, fire safety, compliance, water management, programme management and CDM to achieve the Council's vision for a Fairer Future. The role provides portfolio advice to the Council, leading in the achievement of positive outcomes in all transactions undertaken on the Council's behalf. Develop and lead a professional team to provide a high quality and effective service.

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Develop and continuously improve the service as a centre of excellence in proactively managing the portfolio to meet the objectives of the Council. Develops policies for the service, creating underlying procedures and monitoring their implementation.
• Manage and lead a group of professionals to deliver an effective service to the Council. Responsible for implementing the formal development framework, while informally coaching others throughout the organisation in area of expertise.
• As part of the senior management team, develop plans to deliver the Councils objectives. Focuses upon the long-term business strategy and contributes to the wider longer-term strategy; using knowledge of the competitive environment to inform strategic direction.
• Provide leadership, direction and advice in dealing with significant and often sensitive negotiations. Ensures that the team is focused, motivated and inspired to achieve objectives and creates a positive team culture, ensuring others follow the expected ways of working.
• Manage and deliver required outcomes for a portfolio of projects, and provide high quality advice and support on major projects undertaken by the Council which may have significant and long-term impact across the Council's finances and resources.
• Responsible for designing, developing and delivering the overall contract management strategy for the service, while also personally handling contracts of strategic importance.
• Responsibility for developing and delivering an approach to strategic planning. Support and develop operational strategies and programmes for the service.
• Responsibility for supporting the Council's vision by developing and delivering operational plans and outcomes for the service.
• Manage and develop strategies to manage risk in relation to statutory compliance for the service.
• Provide expertise and specialist advice to Members and Chief Officers on policy and strategy, and the implications on service delivery.
• Develop and deliver the financial management and control systems. Manage service budgets and audit processes so that they align with organisational strategy.
• Implement and champion the use of data management systems, procedures and auditable records to fully deliver departmental objectives.

JOB CONTEXT Holds key responsibility for leading on all mechanical and electrical services, contract compliance, cost control and fire safety set against the Council's fair future agenda with regard to bring the full benefits and opportunities to all Southwark's residents. This role works in a cross cutting and collegiate way across portfolios and departments to be more than the sum of our parts and to deliver more with less. Closer collaboration has been effective in delivering the Council's vision of a fairer future for all in Southwark. This involves development of innovative solutions in developing strategic plans to work with external, often private sector partners to deliver development programmes and projects. Many of these programmes will be long term in duration and will involve significant procurement programmes and negotiation of large scale contracts.

Southwark employs around 5,000 staff, with a Corporate Management Team led by the Chief Executive. The Council is committed to maintaining Investors in People accreditation. All senior managers are responsible for managing People and Performance Management responsibilities within their areas.

Structural Arrangements The post holder formally reports to the Director and is a member of the Senior Management Team. Responsible for teams of professional staff and is responsible for implementation and execution of policy, procedures and processes. Builds a high performing team by ensuring that the team is focused, motivated and inspired to achieve objectives.

Financial Responsibilities Uses financial knowledge and skills to work on costing, budgeting and finance tasks while providing guidance and training to others. Calculates return on investment; for example, analysing costs and benefits to inform decisions.

Contacts Uses specialist knowledge and skills to negotiate while providing guidance and training to others. The role will have regular contact with leading Council Members, Chief Officers and other senior managers across the Council giving advice, challenging perceptions around the delivery of services and promoting new ways of working. The Head of Service represents the Council with external stakeholders; discovering and meeting the customer's needs, understanding and acting on market trends.

If you are interested in this role please send your updated CV in the first instance.