Head of Maintenance Operations (M&E)

Deputy Head of Maintenance
Location: South Kensington, London
Salary: £67,000 – £75,000 per annum + excellent public sector benefits
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Deputy Head of Maintenance to join a large-scale public sector organisation based in South Kensington. This is an outstanding opportunity for a technically strong facilities and engineering professional with significant Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) expertise to play a key leadership role within a complex and high-profile operational environment.
Working within a diverse estate portfolio, you will support the strategic and operational delivery of hard services maintenance, ensuring compliance, reliability, safety, and continuous improvement across critical building infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities
* Support the Head of Maintenance in leading day-to-day engineering and maintenance operations across a large, complex estate.
* Oversee planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programmes and reactive maintenance activities.
* Provide technical leadership across all M&E systems including HVAC, BMS, electrical distribution, plant rooms, generators, UPS systems, and water systems.
* Manage specialist contractors and service providers to ensure high standards of delivery, compliance, and value for money.
* Ensure statutory compliance with all relevant health & safety and building regulations.
* Lead on fault finding, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives.
* Assist with capital projects, refurbishments, and lifecycle planning.
* Support budget management, procurement processes, and performance reporting.
* Deputise for the Head of Maintenance when required.
About You
* Proven experience in a senior maintenance or engineering leadership role within a large-scale environment such as public sector, healthcare, education, transport, museums, or commercial estates.
* Strong background in Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) building services maintenance.
* Excellent knowledge of compliance and statutory regulations relating to building maintenance.
* Experience managing contractors, service delivery, and technical teams.
* Strong understanding of asset management and planned maintenance systems.
* Relevant engineering qualification in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (HNC/HND/Degree or equivalent).
* IOSH or NEBOSH qualification desirable.
* Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Benefits
* Competitive salary of £67,000 – £75,000 per annum
* Generous public sector pension scheme
* 40+ days annual leave including bank holidays
* Excellent work-life balance
* Training and professional development opportunities
* Employee wellbeing programmes
* Season ticket loan and cycle-to-work scheme
* Access to high-profile and technically diverse facilities
This is an exciting opportunity to join a respected public sector organisation operating within a prestigious South Kensington setting, where you can make a significant impact on the performance and future development of a major estate portfolio.
To apply, please submit your CV and supporting statement outlining your relevant M&E and maintenance leadership experience