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- Tasks: Lead engineering teams and oversee maintenance for premium student accommodation.
- Company: Fast-growing residential operator with a stellar reputation in student living.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus potential, and hybrid working options.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and influence the future of student accommodation.
- Qualifications: Strong engineering background and experience in building operations and compliance.
- Other info: Opportunity to lead new building launches and foster a collaborative culture.
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! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head of Engineering role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your hands-on experience and leadership style. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams and projects in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a company you're keen on, don’t wait for them to post a job. Reach out directly and express your interest. You never know when an opportunity might pop up, and showing initiative can really set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you prepare for interviews and showcase your fit for the role. Plus, it’s a great way to stay updated on new openings and company news.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your engineering background and any experience with building handovers or CapEx projects. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our mission of delivering outstanding student experiences. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've mentored others or improved team performance. We love seeing proactive problem solvers!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. 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 applied this knowledge in past roles, especially in managing maintenance and engineering teams.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and managing contractor relationships. Think about times when you’ve mentored team members or improved performance metrics, as this will resonate well with the interviewers looking for a hands-on leader.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, such as integrating new buildings into operations or resolving maintenance issues. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies clearly, as this will demonstrate your proactive problem-solving abilities.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Since you'll need to translate complex technical issues for non-technical staff, practice explaining your past projects in simple terms. This will show your communication skills and ensure that everyone understands your approach to engineering challenges.
