Head of Modernisation in London

Head of Modernisation in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
WeMaintain

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the modernisation function, driving growth and operational excellence across the UK.
  • Company: Join WeMaintain, a forward-thinking company transforming building maintenance with technology and trust.
  • Benefits: Enjoy real ownership, strong support, and opportunities for internal mobility in a dynamic environment.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to personal development and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of modernisation in a mission-driven company that values your ideas and impact.
  • Qualifications: Significant experience in the lift industry with proven leadership and commercial judgement.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Who are we? In 2017, after more than ten years in the lift industry across Europe and Asia, Benoît Dupont noticed a system stuck in its ways where speed takes priority over quality and frontline teams remain invisible. With Jade Francine and Tristan Foureur, he founded WeMaintain to put technology, trust and people back at the heart of building maintenance. Their ambition: give technicians back their autonomy, rely on in‐house IoT technology, and deliver a service designed for users and clients. Based in Paris, London, Singapore and Hong Kong, we maintain lifts, escalators, automatic doors and fire safety systems. With 300+ employees, we combine on‐ground expertise with data‐driven management to deliver high‐performing, transparent, and sustainable maintenance. We don't just maintain buildings. We transform how they're operated.

Why join us? Because here you don't have to choose between autonomy and stability. Large groups often offer stability, but little room to manoeuvre. Smaller organisations allow more freedom, but sometimes without clear direction. At WeMaintain, we strike the right balance.

  • Real autonomy, with modern tools and strong support
  • A culture built on trust, transparency and respect
  • Genuine opportunities for growth and internal mobility
  • A team that values commitment, perseverance and the drive to make things happen

Our values guide us every day:

  • Care: Working with respect and kindness, internally as well as with our customers
  • Grit: Seeing things through, with high standards and determination
  • Uniqueness: Daring to be yourself, sharing your ideas and challenging the status quo

Who we're looking for: We are looking for a Head of Modernisation to join our UK team. This is a high‐impact national leadership role for an experienced lift industry professional who combines strong commercial instinct with operational delivery credibility. You will take full ownership of the modernisation function across the UK, driving profitable growth, strengthening delivery excellence, building scalable operational foundations, and helping shape the next phase of WeMaintain's growth journey. You will inherit an existing modernisation activity with strong growth potential and play a key role in scaling its structure, performance and market presence.

Your day‐to‐day at WeMaintain:

  • Develop and execute the UK modernisation growth strategy
  • Build, manage and improve a strong and predictable sales pipeline
  • Lead the successful delivery of modernisation projects across the UK
  • Own divisional financial performance, including revenue, margin, forecasting and cost control
  • Build and develop a high‐performing national modernisation team
  • Strengthen operational governance, delivery consistency and customer satisfaction
  • Develop strong relationships with consultants, asset owners, FM providers, managing agents and key accounts
  • Work closely with maintenance and account management teams to unlock opportunities within the existing customer base
  • Act as a senior escalation point for critical operational or customer issues
  • Drive a culture of ownership, accountability, pace and execution excellence

What we're looking for:

  • Have significant experience within the UK lift industry
  • Bring proven leadership experience within modernisation, projects or major works delivery
  • Combine strong commercial judgement with operational credibility
  • Have experience owning revenue, margin and overall business performance
  • Understand lift modernisation delivery, installation and project governance in depth
  • Are confident managing national or multi‐site teams
  • Communicate clearly and build trust with customers, teams and stakeholders
  • Take ownership naturally and thrive in fast‐paced, evolving environments
  • Are visible, pragmatic and close to operations with a leadership style that builds credibility both on‐site and at executive level
  • Balance strategic thinking with operational attention to detail
  • Know how to create structure and accountability without unnecessary bureaucracy

Bonus points if:

  • You have experience scaling a modernisation or projects function within a growing SME environment
  • You are comfortable working across both commercial and operational leadership topics
  • You have strong experience improving delivery consistency, governance and forecasting accuracy
  • You bring a pragmatic, hands‐on leadership style with a strong execution mindset
  • You enjoy building teams, developing people and driving long‐term organisational maturity

What success looks like:

  • You drive sustainable growth in modernisation order intake and revenue
  • You improve pipeline quality, forecasting accuracy and margin performance
  • You strengthen project execution, delivery consistency and completion quality
  • You reduce defects, rework and avoidable delivery failures
  • You improve customer experience, communication standards and long‐term trust
  • You create a high‐performing, accountable and scalable modernisation organisation
  • You collaborate effectively across commercial, operational and leadership teams
  • You take ownership, move quickly, and continuously improve how we operate

What we offer:

  • A role with real ownership and visibility across the UK business
  • The opportunity to shape and scale a critical business division
  • Strong support from senior leadership and cross‐functional teams
  • A fast‐moving, ambitious environment where ideas turn into action quickly
  • Internal mobility opportunities across teams and geographies
  • A mission‐driven company with a strong culture and high standards

How to apply: Every application is reviewed carefully. Let us know who you are, what attracts you to this role, and what you'd like to build with us. We value motivation, curiosity and potential over a "perfect" background. To apply, click the "Apply" button below and answer a few questions in the form. It's quick, and it helps us get to know you better. At WeMaintain, we value diversity, encourage personal development and are committed to inclusion. Whatever your background, story or identity, you are welcome to apply.

Recruitment process:

  • An initial phone call – 30 minutes to get to know each other, understand your background and expectations
  • An interview with the team – 45 minutes to discuss the role in detail, your expertise and our projects
  • A final conversation with 2 to 3 WeMaintain team members – 30 minutes to confirm we share the same vision, values and the desire to work together

Welcome to the team!

Head of Modernisation in London employer: WeMaintain

At WeMaintain, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that offers a unique blend of autonomy and stability, allowing our employees to thrive in a supportive environment. Our culture is built on trust, transparency, and respect, providing genuine opportunities for growth and internal mobility while valuing commitment and perseverance. With a mission-driven approach and a focus on innovation, working with us means being part of a team that transforms the building maintenance industry in the heart of the UK.

WeMaintain

Contact Details:

WeMaintain Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Modernisation in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching WeMaintain's values and recent projects. Show us you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets what we’re about!

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with our mission. A confident, clear presentation of your skills can make all the difference.

Tip Number 4

Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you note can keep you top of mind and show us you’re genuinely interested in joining the WeMaintain team.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Modernisation in London

Leadership Experience
Commercial Judgement
Operational Delivery
Project Governance
Sales Pipeline Management
Financial Performance Management
Customer Relationship Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Be Yourself:When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to know who you are beyond your CV. Share your story and what makes you excited about this role.

Show Your Passion:Make sure to express why you're drawn to WeMaintain and the Head of Modernisation position. We love candidates who are genuinely interested in transforming the lift industry and have a vision for the future.

Highlight Relevant Experience:Tailor your application to showcase your experience in modernisation and leadership within the lift industry. We want to see how your background aligns with our goals and how you can contribute to our growth.

Keep It Clear and Concise:While we appreciate detail, clarity is key! Make your application easy to read and straight to the point. This helps us get a quick understanding of your qualifications and enthusiasm.

How to prepare for a job interview at WeMaintain

Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into WeMaintain's mission and values. Understand their approach to modernisation in the lift industry and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows genuine interest and helps you connect your background to their needs.

Showcase Leadership Skills

As a Head of Modernisation, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples from your past where you've successfully led teams or projects, especially in fast-paced environments. Highlight how you fostered collaboration and accountability within your teams.

Be Data-Driven

WeMaintain values data-driven management, so come prepared with insights on how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Discuss your experience with forecasting, margin performance, and improving delivery consistency, as these are key aspects of the role.

Ask Insightful Questions

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about WeMaintain's growth strategy, team dynamics, and how they measure success in modernisation. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.