MEP Operations Manager in Glasgow

Job Purpose

The post holder is responsible for the management of allocated human, financial and physical resources, providing effective management to the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Operations teams, equipping and enabling them to deliver efficient, high-quality buildings, spaces and places, ensuring maximum availability and useability of the same. The post holder shall embrace digital technologies with a strong drive towards sustainability, supporting the development of smart buildings for the benefit of users, and the environment.

The post holder will contribute to the delivery of the department’s strategic and operational targets, overall service delivery aims and be accountable for implementation and delivery of all relevant policy, objectives and standards. This involves the review, development and implementation of continuous improvements in working initiatives and working patterns to ensure value-for-money arrangements which are customer focused, tailored to the needs of stakeholders and which fulfil departmental and University strategies and objectives. The post holder will ensure suitable professional and technical development of the internal operations/trades teams’ competency and capability to support the operations of the existing Estate and the future complex buildings that will be delivered as part of the University’s Campus Development Plan.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

To effectively manage the mechanical electrical and plumbing trades groups ensuring the delivery of the day-to-day operation. Responsible for leadership of operational staff including, but not limited to, lead technicians, supervisors, technicians, technical assistants, apprentices and nominated operatives. Establish performance indicators coupled to a training matrix to ensure best means of monitoring and developing yourself and your team.

To support the head of Technical Services with the development and delivery of strategic and tactical goals and objectives, to permeate throughout the MEP teams, which align with departmental and wider University operating plans.

To work with other Operations Managers, individuals, and teams, across Technical Services and Facilities Services to oversee the service delivery of a reactive maintenance and emergency service to meet "Business as Usual" service obligations to the University. Develop an Incident response/ incident management template and framework. Establish and maintain an on-call service for out of hour’s operations and escalations.

To lead all direct reports in planning scheduling and reviewing workloads and budgets to ensure timeous and cost-effective achievement of service delivery output targets.

To manage delegated budgets and ensure good governance, financial control and value for money.

To manage and operate relevant HR procedures in relation to recruitment and selection, performance and development, managing attendance, and grievance/disciplinary in consultation with Human Resources.

To ensure adequate reporting mechanisms and templates to allow both you and your teams to give a clear indication of related MEP performance and common goals of maximum up-time and Customer satisfaction.

Technical Expertise

To provide expertise, guidance and leading advice to colleagues on all aspects of the operation of MEP installations/Building services, including statutory compliance, planned and reactive maintenance.

To focus the Technical Operations Team in respect of developing expertise in the proactive operation and monitoring of complex plant and building systems ensuring available skills to undertake first response and to ensure appropriate localised corrective action is taken, in order to return buildings, spaces and places to operational and useable condition.

Instil an ethos of safe working practices, safe systems of work, risk awareness and management. Give careful attention to environmental considerations within our areas of technical expertise and operations. Maintain close working relationships with our digital and sustainability colleagues and teams, to ensure we align our technical expertise with innovative, smart and sustainable solutions.

Change management and Continuous Improvement

To work with the Head of Technical Services to embed a culture where new ideas and innovation are encouraged and opportunities created, trialling new ways of working and developing a process of continuous improvement.

To lead a review and improvement of work practices and policies; Review and develop the team to ensure the service has the necessary resource, competence, skills, knowledge, plant and equipment to achieve agreed targets and to provide continuous and sustainable professional Services to the University.

Customer service

To work collaboratively with all colleagues, supporting the development and implementation of an improved Customer Service strategy, ensuring direct contact with key stakeholders, promoting improvements in service delivery, ensuring fit-for-purpose buildings, spaces and places.

Soft landings

To provide specialist technical input into construction projects, influencing designs and specifications to ensure consistent standards are achieved.

To work with the Programme Manager and colleagues in the Construction and Project Management Team in the adoption of BSRIA Soft Landings or similar industry standard methodology/framework. Provide feedback to ensure an effective lessons learned approach is adopted to ensure continuous improvement in project delivery.

To support the Head of Technical Services, and other colleagues, in accepting handover of relevant projects, to ensure necessary compliance certification is received and training is undertaken by key operations staff at handover including a review of completed Operations and Maintenance and Health and Safety files.

Maintenance Management

To apply professional specialist expertise and judgement to oversee a quality service to required key performance standards.

To be responsible for supporting regular updates to asset registers/condition survey database and FMR (Forward Maintenance Register) providing leading input to programmes of work for planned and preventative maintenance.

To plan and organise individual and team activities, ensuring plans and actions complement the strategic capital and maintenance plans.

To develop business case proposals for replacement of obsolete/life-expired and failed plant and equipment, recommending key areas of focus.

Compliance and Risk Management

To be responsible and accountable for the to day operations of systems, plant and equipment. Lead on the permit to work arrangements for critical systems e.g. gas, fire alarms, electrical systems etc. to control shutdowns, isolations and the coordination or overlapping contractor activity.

To be responsible and accountable for compliance standards and ensure that relevant areas of responsibility are maintained and operated in compliance with such agreed standards across the University Estate

To identify risks, implement risk reduction and control measures and support business continuity plans to provide reliability and resilience of all services.

To develop and implement safety management arrangements including risk assessments and method statement forcomplex technical tasks.

Supplier/Contractor Management

To provide leading support to Framework and Contracts colleagues, satisfying such requirements as, but not limited to, initial technical investigations, spot-check audits and summary reporting of findings.

Work collaboratively in support of, and directly with, our Service Partners.

To provide detailed feedback to Frameworks and Contracts, and other relevant functional areas, with regards to contractor performance for inclusion on relevant KPI measures.

Governance and Reporting

To ensure document and information management protocols are strictly applied with document retention arrangements appropriate to relevant legislative and University requirements.

Provide informational reports and documentation as necessary to the function.

Other

To deputise for the Head of Technical Services where required.

To provide leading operational support to other University Services for key UoG, VIP and Corporate events e.g. open days, graduations, visitations, etc.

Collaboratively support our UoG Service desk to enhance the Customer experience across Campuses, buildings, spaces and places.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and ExperienceKnowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

• A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist roles.Or, Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, 10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification in Engineering/Building Services or related discipline), or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional experience in a management role(s).
• A2 Evidence of Continuing Professional Development relevant to role.
• A3 High level of knowledge of the key Building Services/MEP maintenance and legislative requirement priorities in relation to a complex estate.
• A4 Extensive knowledge of Fire, Security and Building Management Control systems.
• A5 Thorough practical knowledge of the content and application of Health and Safety legislation within the construction industry.
• A6 Working knowledge of HR processes including recruitment and selection, performance management, training and development, workforce planning, discipline and grievance.
• A7 Knowledge of principles of BSRIA Soft landings.

Desirable:

• B1 IOSH Managing Safely or CITB Site Safety Management qualification.
• B2 Chartered Membership of a relevant professional body.
• B3 Knowledge of standard forms of construction contract.
• B4 Knowledge of SFG20 specifications.
• B5 Knowledge of Higher Education and Public Sector Estates Management guidance.

Skills

Essential:

• C1 Proven management capability and well-developed skills in managing large staff groups with a demonstrable ability to effect positive changes in work practices.
• C2 Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact and liaise effectively, clearly explain matters of detail, listen accurately and discuss matters of detail with specialist and non-specialists.
• C3 Excellent planning, organisational and time management skills with the ability to understand work requirements, work to deadlines, prioritise and operate effectively under pressure.
• C4 Effective interpersonal and team-working skills with the ability to quickly develop and maintain effective relationships and contribute positively within a range of teams.
• C5 Pro-active with the ability to use initiative and sound judgement to resolve issues independently.
• C6 Well-developed IT skills including use of standard desktop applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook and with the capability to develop further IT skills to utilise specialist IT applications.
• C7 Proven ability to develop staff through talent spotting and pro-active staff development plans.
• C8 Proven analytical and problem-solving capability with the ability to prioritise complex and competing tasks.
• C9 Proven developed skills in managing budgets within agreed cashflows.

Experience

Essential:

• E1 Significant relevant experience as a professional Building Services Engineering practitioner.
• E2 Significant, relevant and recent experience in the management of supervisory and operational teams of staff within a similar organisation.
• E3 Experience of providing advice to Management and Leadership teams in the direction and delivery of the maintenance and replacement programmes.
• E4 Experience of delivering operational engineering/building services within a complex estate with a similar range of historic and modern architecture including listed properties and conservation areas.
• E5 Experience in safety management; developing and implementing safety plans with risk reduction and control principles.
• E6 Recent experience of implementing continuous improvement programmes which lead to ongoing business and service delivery improvement.

Desirable:

• F1 Experience of using CAFM systems to schedule maintenance tasks, update and upload reports on planned maintenance activities.
• F2 Experience in overseeing the operation and maintenance of HV networks.
• F3 Experience of using Trend/Distech BMS systems.
• F4 Experience of the operation of a District Heating Scheme including CHP engine.
• F5 Demonstrable experience of the management of staff and contractors.
• F6 Experience of working within Higher Education or an alternative analogous sector such as the NHS.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £50,253 - £58,225 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and open ended. Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

Closing date: 5 November 2026

This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker visa route. Candidates must therefore have an existing right to work in the UK or be able to secure this independently prior to commencing employment. For further information on alternative immigration options, please visit University of Glasgow's UKVI Website.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

• 1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
• 2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
• 3 A flexible approach to working.
• 4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

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