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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 premium 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 skills, and knowledge of compliance standards.
- Other info: Collaborative culture focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
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.
Locations
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 and let them know you're on the hunt for a Head of Engineering role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their approach to student accommodation and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around operational leadership and compliance.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on leadership style during interviews. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and improved performance in previous roles, particularly in building handovers and CapEx projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
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 genuine passion can really set you apart from the crowd.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your relevant experience in building operations and team leadership. We love seeing specific examples of how you've managed projects or improved performance in previous roles. Don’t just list your duties; show us your achievements!
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity in applications. Use straightforward language to explain your technical skills and experiences. Remember, you might be translating complex ideas for non-technical folks, so keep it simple and to the point!
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. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our culture and values!
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 engage with non-technical staff and stakeholders effectively.
