Specialist Engineering Manager in Leicester

The post holder will be expected to act on their own initiative, in a leadership role supporting and deputising as required for the Head of Specialist Engineering in the day-to-day management of the service. The role of the Specialist Engineering Manager is to provide management of the Trust's specialist engineering services to all wards and departments within a multidisciplinary environment, ensuring compliance with Trust safety standards and legal requirements. Specialist engineering services are defined as but not limited to systems covered both HTM’s and statutory instruments, i.e., Medical Gas, Pressure Systems, HV/LV Voltage, Passenger Lifts, Water Systems, Ventilation Systems etc.

Responsible for the operational management of a multi-disciplinary specialist engineering team delivering assurance to the Trust's senior management against current standards. The post holder will have lead responsibility for the management and responsibility of key specialist engineering service contracts and ensuring appropriate audits, contract management and remedial actions are delivered. Will take a leadership role in management of Authorising Engineers and highly complex technical reports and the prioritisation of the actions identified in reports. The post holder will be required to participate in the Estates out of hours on-call arrangements and undertaking Authorised Person responsibilities for specific engineering systems as required.

Main duties of the job:

• Manage the operational pay and non-pay budget for the site Specialist Engineering Team circa £2.5 million.
• Responsible for the identification and delivery of CIP plans, in accordance with CMG/Corporate Areas targets.
• Responsible for the maintenance of physical assets for the department.
• To line manage the Trust specialist engineering team on the allocated site, ensuring that all aspects of performance, attendance, training and appraisal are addressed in accordance with Trust Policy.
• Will have lead at times and deal with distressing and emotional circumstances, deal with staff grievance and be involved in disciplinary issues.
• Responsible for the creation, review, development and implementation of Trust specialist engineering policies.
• Receive and interpret complex, sensitive information and communicate with Estates senior leadership and Trust Executives.
• Interpretation of reports from Authorised Engineers and external governing agencies to ensure actions understood by Estates team; to include the creation and delivery of appropriate training.
• Formulate long term strategic estates operational plans for the specialist engineering systems that can impact across the organisation.
• Implement plans to tackle long term engineering issues to the organisation for critical systems.

Working for our organisation:

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030). We have four primary goals: high-quality care for all, being a great place to work, partnerships for impact, and research and education excellence. And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

The post holder will maintain, develop and implement effective communication systems for the CMG and external partners, having good communications and working relationships with Senior Managers, Director of Estates, Head of Estates, Members of Trust staff at all levels including nursing staff, All Estates and Facilities staff across disciplines, Emergency Services, External Agencies/Specialist sub-contractors/Suppliers.

To support and deputise as required for the Head of Estates in managing a team to ensure Building and Engineering maintenance services are delivered to a high standard. To be a key contributor to the achievement of good corporate governance throughout the Trust, and direct subordinates as required, ensuring their compliance with all Trust policies and procedures.

To be an Estates lead in the process of ensuring compliance with all Trust Statutory and Non-Statutory responsibilities relating to the Trust’s Estate. Leading and developing the culture of responsiveness, ownership and customer care amongst Estates staff.

Provide technical expertise and training on all aspects of Estates Maintenance Function, promote communication at all levels and bring innovation, monitoring and measurement to ensure a value for money service. The post holder will be responsible for Health and Safety and welfare matters affecting the staff in or attached to their area of work responsibility. This will include risk assessment, safe systems of work, training toolbox talks and safety inspections.

To undertake roles of Authorised Person in accordance with the requirements of Healthcare Technical Memorandum for example: Medical Gas Pipeline systems, High and Low Voltage Electrical systems, Critical Ventilation Systems. To undertake training of the Estates Operational Managers and Engineering Team, as designated by training/competency matrix, as necessary to ensure that the knowledge and skills base is maintained and developed to meet the requirements of current and future engineering services and changes in legislation.

To lead on the development of Trust’s CAFM system, utilising the system to ensure a robust management system of records and assets. To ensure operational Estates changes are implemented with the CAFM system ensuring continued compliance.

Key decision maker on Trust approach to HTM and statutory compliance and the development of risk-based response to engineering standards. Lead on management of external specialist engineering contractors and staff carrying out work on the Trust’s assets and buildings, ensuring delivery and assurance of SLA’s and KPI’s.

Lead on training and development of authorised and competent persons both internal and external to the Trust. Communicates technical issues, safety issues and major operational issues to Estates Directors as required under the Estates communications strategy.

Undertake Estates specialist engineering audits and condition surveys reporting into Trust Governance and senior teams. Key contributor to the estates risk register to ensure an accurate view of operational risk and backlog maintenance requirements.

Key contributor in negotiating with contractors, suppliers, Authorising Engineers, Service Leads in the delivery of the service. Negotiating in the arranging of critical plant and area shutdowns for critical systems to ensure no impact on patient flow or the service.

Lead on and designate to the Engineering team, the management of complex specialist engineering projects designed to improve or maintain compliance with statutory requirements. Will also be required to take the Operational lead on Capital improvement projects, defining the requirements of the project, supporting decisions on derogations/plan changes and ensuring that a suitable product is handed over into Operational management; the key emphasis being on the ability to meet the scope of clinical need and on the ability to maintain.

The post holder will have to have regular usage of computer software to develop and create reports or documents alongside audits etc. The post holder should have highly developed physical skills to deal with complex engineering issues and can use fine tools, test instruments, materials and be able to interpret results and findings to provide solutions.

Must be able occasionally to work in unpleasant conditions and surroundings dealing with sewage plant and pipe work, pest infestations, vermin infestations and some maintenance activities. To ensure all specialist engineering systems are installed and maintained in accordance with current legislation, health and safety regulations, codes of practice and Health technical guidance.

Responsible for developing, monitoring and review safe systems of work applied to specialist engineering services. Lead on creation of succession plans for training and supporting for development of junior engineers and apprentices.

As part of continual personal development, identifying solutions using technological advances and practices within Health care engineering. Requirement to analyse highly complex engineering condition reports and drawings, covering life critical systems that supply services across whole hospital sites. Use of judgement to proactively address areas of concern and undertake risk prioritisation to ensure robust governance.

Requirement to undertake physical analysis of specialist engineering equipment to monitor performance and to undertake fault diagnosis with the use of fine tools and equipment. Proactively addressing areas of concern and undertaking risk prioritisation to ensure robust governance.

To act and lead in a professional manner demonstrating the Trust’s values when undertaking tasks and duties in contact with Patients, Visitors and staff. Contribute to the development of the CAFM system ensuring effective change.

Person specification:

• Qualified to Masters Level (or equivalent experience).
• Degree / Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical or Building Service discipline or equivalent significant experience.
• Membership of a Professional Institution eg IHEEM, IEE, IET, I.Mech, CIBSE.
• Recognised training qualification/apprenticeship in Electrical or Mechanical Services.
• Considerable experience in specialist engineering in installation and maintenance of systems.
• Experience of line management and supervisory responsibility for directly employed staff and contractors working on defects and PPM on technical: Electrical, Mechanical or Building disciplines found in an acute hospital environment.
• Experience of Working in an Authorised Person role (e.g. Medical Gas, High Voltage).
• Experience working with Computer aided facility management systems.
• Considerable knowledge of Health care Engineering services (e.g. HV/LV/Water/Vent etc).
• Experience of Working in an acute or non-acute hospital setting.