Head of Technical Services – Hard FM / Engineering Leadership
Location: East London
Salary: £80,000
Budget Responsibility: £8m
Reports to: Technical & Support Services Director
Team: Up to 6 direct reports, 30 indirect reports
We’re looking for an exceptional Head of Technical Services to take strategic and operational leadership of Hard FM services across a major East London portfolio. This is a senior management position with full P&L accountability, responsibility for statutory compliance, and ownership of technical service delivery across a broad and complex estate.
If you’re a commercially astute technical leader with deep engineering knowledge, a passion for safe and compliant delivery, and experience shaping high-performing FM operations, this is a rare opportunity to drive strategy, influence transformation, and lead a large multidisciplinary team.
The Opportunity
As Head of Technical Services, you will:
* Lead the regional Hard FM operation, managing up to £8m in annual technical budgets.
* Shape and implement the compliance and engineering strategy across building services, fabric, and associated FM technical functions.
* Ensure all statutory, mandatory, and contractual requirements are met, including CDM, SFG20, HTMs, British Standards, and asset handback criteria.
* Build strong working partnerships with Compliance, H&S, Lifecycle, PMO, Commercial, Procurement, and Operational Leads.
* Be a senior voice in client relationships, ensuring SLAs and KPIs are consistently met across all contracts.
* Drive improvements in process, safety, service quality, and technical governance across a large and diverse portfolio.
* Lead defect management, supplier performance, subcontractor oversight, and safe delivery of all technical works.
This is a leadership role that blends operational control, technical authority, commercial ownership, and strategic input into the future of the FM service.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead on Health & Safety, promoting a zero-tolerance-to-harm culture.
* Maintain legal and contractual compliance across all Hard FM operations.
* Develop and implement policies, procedures, and technical standards in line with legislation and organisational strategy.
* Collaborate with Hard Services Managers to ensure safe and compliant engineering delivery.
* Build strong client relationships and represent G4S at senior meetings.
* Own and manage Hard FM P&L performance, ensuring efficient, value-driven service delivery.
* Manage subcontractor performance, including monthly performance management with key suppliers.
* Support operational teams by providing expert technical guidance on major issues.
* Lead on compliance for Fire, Water, and Asbestos—including timely remedial actions.
* Actively contribute to business development and evaluation of new opportunities or variations.
* Oversee asset register accuracy, CAFM data, and evidence-based decision-making.
* Support Lifecycle planning through detailed analysis of reactive and remedial tasks.
* Track innovation, new technology, and product developments for potential adoption.
* Recruit, develop, and manage Hard Services Managers and technical teams.
* Ensure teams maintain required competencies and manage all people-related matters.
Key Competencies
* Strategic thinker
* Legislative & mandatory compliance expertise
* Strong commercial and financial acumen
* Influential leader and change driver
* Skilled stakeholder and relationship builder
* Customer-focused and delivery-oriented
* Able to manage complexity and embed continuous improvement
Skills & Experience
Essential
* Senior operational management experience in Hard FM or technical services.
* Strong knowledge of CDM, SFG20, HTMs, and relevant British Standards.
* IOSH or equivalent H&S qualification; CIWFM or working towards it.
* Experience managing lifecycle, PMO, and building defects.
* Highly organised with strong analytical and auditing capability.
* Strong communication skills and proven ability to influence at senior level.
* Commercially astute with experience delivering cost-effective, safe, compliant services.
* Solid operational knowledge of Hard FM in complex environments.
Desirable
* Experience in PFI/PPP environments.
* Experience in public buildings such as schools or hospitals.
* Experience managing aged or complex estates.
Why This Role?
* Senior leadership position with large budget ownership.
* High visibility across the business and with major clients.
* Significant scope to shape engineering strategy and performance.
* Opportunity to lead meaningful improvements across safety, compliance, and service quality.
* Ideal for someone seeking a high-impact technical leadership challenge.