Mechanical Services Manager Full Time NEW

We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity to join our team at UHS Estates Ltd (UEL). Please refer to the detailed job description below for more information about the role.

This post is only open to internal applicants

Main duties of the job

As a Mechanical Service Manager with UEL at Southampton General Hospital site, you will play a key role in ensuring hospital sites remain safe, compliant, efficient, and fully operational for staff, patients, and visitors. Leading the operational service delivery team comprising Estates Officers, Supervisors, trade staff and contractors, ensuring that teams undertake all statutory and mandatory, good practice and reactive maintenance within key performance indicator targets, while overseeing day-to-day operations, emergency response, and essential upgrades across the estate. Every day brings new challenges, and your work will directly support the smooth running of vital healthcare services.

Working as part of a dedicated Estates and Facilities team, you will support the smooth operation of services while helping to deliver essential care to the local community. Although much of your work takes place behind the scenes, your leadership and technical expertise are critical to maintaining a safe and reliable healthcare environment.

Working for our organisation

UHS Estates Limited (UEL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS). We are responsible for the design, construction, and ongoing maintenance of hospital buildings, as well as soft facilities management and the provision of essential equipment, consumables, and materials.

Employee Benefits

• Generous NHS pension scheme
• NHS terms of service and annual leave
• Access to an employee benefits platform offering discounts on groceries, high street shopping, family outings, holidays, and more

Southampton offers an excellent quality of life, located on the south coast with an international airport and direct train links to London. The area boasts the stunning New Forest National Park, beautiful beaches along the Jurassic Coast, and living costs around 20% lower than in London. With 14 Ofsted-rated “Outstanding” schools, it’s a great place to live and work.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

We welcome applications from candidates across a variety of engineering sectors, particularly those with experience in mechanical or service engineering, building services, or broader mechanical engineering disciplines, who are ready to step into a leadership-focused operational role.

In return, we offer guaranteed fixed working hours, permanent contracts, ongoing training and development, excellent benefits, and access to overtime through our staff bank. Join us and build a career where your skills truly make a difference.

Role And Responsibilities

• Lead the operational service delivery team to deliver statutory, mandatory, good practice, and reactive maintenance within agreed KPI targets.
• Ensure all maintenance and engineering works comply with relevant healthcare legislation, statutory instruments, and technical standards.
• Monitor compliance and escalate non-conformities to senior management with appropriate mitigation actions and risk register inputs.
• Support the delivery of the capital plan and identify obsolete or non-compliant assets for inclusion in forward maintenance and improvement programmes.

Experience And Skills Needed

• Demonstrable experience managing estates or facilities maintenance teams within a complex operational environment.
• Strong working knowledge of statutory compliance, health and safety legislation, and technical maintenance standards.
• Proven ability to manage performance, drive cost efficiencies, and deliver measurable service improvements.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills with the ability to maintain accurate records and collaborate across departments.

Person specification

Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience

Essential criteria

• HNC/Degree in mechanical engineering or significant equivalent experience supported by CPD.
• IOSH managing safely qualification must have or acquire within 6-months of taking up post
• Significant experience of engineering supply and distribution systems within large buildings.
• Experience of managing directly employed labour and contractors in the delivery of (a) a reactive maintenance provision, (b) a planned maintenance provision, or (c) a combined service provision.
• Experience of providing support for Capital Projects and Small Works in own field.

Desirable criteria

• Membership of a recognised professional organisation.
• NEEBOSH General Certificate
• Extensive experience of engineering maintenance in large structures with extensive infrastructure and grounds
• Significant relevant experience in the health service environment
• Working knowledge of building fabric within large structures
• Knowledge of asbestos regulations and associated ACOPS