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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering teams, manage building operations, and ensure top-notch student experiences.
- Company: Fast-growing UK residential operator with a stellar reputation in student accommodation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus potential, and hybrid working options.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and lead exciting new building launches while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Strong engineering background, hands-on leadership, and compliance knowledge required.
- Other info: Collaborative culture focused on service and student satisfaction.
The predicted salary is between 51000 - 85000 £ per year.
Head of Engineering – Residential
We’re proud to be working with one of the UK’s most exciting and fastest-growing residential operators, a business we’ve partnered with since its inception. They’ve grown into a leading brand in premium student accommodation, with plans to launch numerous new buildings in the next few years and an unrivalled reputation for delivering outstanding service and living experiences.
This is a rare chance to take on a pivotal leadership role overseeing engineering and maintenance across the portfolio of buildings, ensure smooth handovers of new developments, and lead a strong regional engineering team, all while protecting the student experience that sits at the core of everything they do.
Top 3 priorities for this role:
- Operational leadership – managing multiple regional engineers, overseeing maintenance, and ensuring tickets/SLAs are delivered and improving performance here.
- New building integration – taking upcoming new sites into operation, from snagging and commissioning through to full operational readiness.
- CapEx & compliance – delivering plant/system upgrades, ensuring compliance (SFG20, Building Safety Act), and proactively driving long-term investment decisions.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and support a team of five regional engineers, providing guidance, mentorship, and professional development.
- Ensure timely resolution of maintenance tickets and SLA performance across the estate
- Manage handovers of new buildings: snagging, commissioning, setting operational plans, and liaising with development teams etc.
- Deliver CapEx projects and maintain an active CapEx lifecycle model across the estate.
- Oversee contractor relationships, setting clear contracts, ensuring delivery standards, and driving continuous improvement in service quality.
- Translate technical requirements for non-technical staff.
- Ensure compliance with SFG20, Building Safety Act, life safety systems, and all statutory requirements.
- Collaborate with the Utilities Manager on energy management, consumption reduction, and budget alignment.
- Provide proactive maintenance planning and long-term cost-saving strategies, focusing on preventative investment and operational resilience.
- Report regularly on performance, outages, compliance, and progress against KPIs to senior leadership, fostering innovation and continuous improvement.
What We’re Looking For
- Strong technical/engineering background (live building operations essential).
- Experience in building handovers, commissioning, snagging, and operational readiness.
- Hands-on leader who can manage teams and build strong contractor relationships.
- Commercially aware, with experience delivering CapEx and tying investment to ROI.
- Solid knowledge of compliance standards (SFG20, Building Safety Act, statutory regs).
- Confident communicator, able to translate complex technical issues into clear language.
- Proactive problem solver, able to balance day-to-day issues with long-term improvements.
- Strong cultural fit: collaborative, motivated, service-driven, and student-focused.
What’s in it for you?
Base salary up to £85,000
Car Allowance
Bonus up to 15% (potentially higher for over performance).
Hybrid working Available – Travel to Manchester Office occasionally needed
Be a part of one of the best cultures in the industry!
The chance to lead on multiple new building launches.
A role blending technical delivery, team leadership, and strategic influence.
Head of Engineering employer: The People Pod
Contact Detail:
The People Pod Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who might know about opportunities in residential operations. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed teams and projects in the past, especially in building handovers and compliance.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving abilities! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in engineering operations. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and ability to balance day-to-day issues with long-term improvements.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic roles that could be perfect for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about leading engineering teams and enhancing student experiences. A bit of personality goes a long way!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the job description. Highlight your experience with building handovers, CapEx projects, and compliance standards. We love seeing how your background aligns with what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your technical skills and experiences. Remember, we want to understand your qualifications without getting lost in jargon!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at The People Pod
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to building operations and compliance standards like SFG20 and the Building Safety Act. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed engineering teams and handled building handovers in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and mentoring engineers. Think about specific situations where you improved performance or resolved conflicts, as this will demonstrate your hands-on leadership style.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with the company’s mission and values, especially their focus on student experience. Be prepared to discuss how your vision aligns with theirs and how you can contribute to their growth and operational excellence.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice translating complex technical issues into simple language. During the interview, aim to communicate your ideas clearly and confidently, as this will show your ability to work with non-technical staff and stakeholders effectively.
