Job Description

Head of Engineering (MEP) - Multi-Site Residential - Facilities/Building Operations
Are you an experienced Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) engineering leader with a proven track record of managing multi-site residential accommodation portfolios? This is an outstanding opportunity to join one of the UK's leading premium living providers as Head of Engineering, overseeing a nationwide estate of high-quality residential and student accommodation buildings.
We're looking for someone who can combine deep technical expertise with strategic leadership to ensure large-scale, multi-site properties operate safely, efficiently, and sustainably. You'll be instrumental in driving operational excellence, compliance, and capital project delivery across a diverse, complex portfolio of residential buildings.
The Role
As Head of Engineering (MEP), you will:

• Provide strategic leadership to engineering teams across a nationwide, multi-site residential estate, ensuring consistent, high-quality standards across all locations.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire regional and site-based engineers, embedding a culture of accountability, performance, and professional growth.
• Oversee all mechanical and electrical operations, including PPM schedules, statutory compliance, and life safety systems, across multiple residential and student accommodation sites.
• Manage reactive maintenance and service desk requests, balancing priorities across a broad, geographically dispersed portfolio.
• Deliver and oversee Capex projects from survey and design through to implementation and completion, ensuring minimal disruption to residents.
• Build strong partnerships with contractors and suppliers, holding them to account on delivery and compliance across multiple properties.
• Collaborate with development teams on new-build handovers, ensuring systems are properly integrated into operational models for large-scale residential living.
• Drive innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in engineering practices, maximising asset performance across the portfolio.
• Work with senior stakeholders on budgets and long-term investment planning to safeguard and enhance multi-million-pound M&E assets.

About You
We're looking for someone who is:

• A senior engineering or building services leader with extensive experience in multi-site residential accommodation (build-to-rent, student accommodation, large-scale residential portfolios, hoetls etc.).
• Highly knowledgeable in M&E systems, compliance frameworks, PPM planning, and contractor performance management.
• Experienced in leading dispersed engineering teams and ensuring consistent operational standards across multiple properties.
• Skilled in capital project delivery and lifecycle asset planning for large-scale residential estates.
• Confident working at senior leadership level, engaging with development, operations, estates, and health & safety functions.
• Commercially strong, able to manage budgets effectively and deliver long-term value across a nationwide residential portfolio.
• Innovative, resilient, and solutions-focused, with the ability to balance technical detail with strategic vision.

What's in it for you?

• Salary up to 85,000
• Car allowance
• Bonus of 15-20%
• A high-profile leadership role shaping the long-term engineering strategy of a fast-growing residential and student living portfolio.
• Exposure to landmark developments and large-scale residential communities nationwide.
• Hybrid working with travel across the UK as required.
• A forward-thinking operations team committed to professional development, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Skills Required