Job summary
The Government Property Agency is changing the way the Civil Service works and is at the forefront of Government's transformation agenda; reshaping the relationship civil servants have with their place of work. The Agency is central to the delivery of key Government policies including moving 22,000 Civil Service roles out of London by 2030 and tackling climate change by contributing to the Net Zero agenda. To do this we are delivering a major change programme across the UK and consolidating our portfolio in order to save � Bn over 10 years.�
Beyond the bricks and mortar, the GPA is about providing great workplaces for our people. Through programmes like Hubs, Whitehall Campus and Smart Working you will be in the vanguard of creating model working environments and promoting flexible working practices.�
This is an ambitious and exciting task, for which we need innovative people, with strong commercial acumen, who are passionate about visualising and implementing customer needs. Launched as an Executive Agency of the Cabinet Office in 2018, we�re a relatively new department and we are growing fast so we also need people who thrive in ambiguity, can adapt quickly to change and are comfortable stepping outside of their remit to drive outcomes.
The GPA is committed to representing the communities we serve by making Diversity, Equality and Inclusion part of everything we do.
To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Job description
As a member of the GPA Workplace Service Delivery Senior Leadership Team the Head of Critical Environments & Technical Services will be responsible for business management related to the Critical Environments (CE) portfolio as well as aspects of strategic account development for GPA supplier partners.� Also influencing wider strategies across the delivery of services into our estate.
Additionally, they will oversee through operational leadership, the compliance, health and safety standards, providing risk management and assurance while acting as a subject matter expert leading O&M and FM suppliers.�
The post holder will be responsible for ensuring service provision to the Critical Environments (CE) so that they can operate 7 days per week, 365 days per year and that any potential risks are identified and mitigated in accordance with legislation and controls. They will ensure that the GPA has the right suppliers, demonstrates value for money and operates on a cost neutral basis.
Key Responsibilities:�
1. Oversee management of the Critical Environments (CE) which includes both district heating and emergency standby power systems.�
2. Manage the Critical Environments business to ensure that users connected to the systems achieve full service provision and value for money from the schemes.�
3. Responsible for the management of all CE service contracts - develop key stakeholder relationships ensuring that fit for purpose services are in place and maintained in line with best practice and pertaining legislation / guidance
4. Provide technical and commercial knowledge to support the Critical Environments, the central Government Estate and it�s interdepartmental agreements, advising on investment opportunities.�
5. Ensure all stakeholders and customers are appraised regularly through face to face, user group and project meetings and that issues and requests for data are managed effectively and resolved in a timely manner.
6. Lead Technical Engineering assurance across GPA�s workplace services contracts, including National District Heating and Technical Engineering strategy through the supplier contracts.
7. Collaborate� with local councils on heat network connection opportunities and driving strategic alignment and improvement in the supplier Hard Services Contracts.
Person specification
8. Demonstrable experience of managing budgets in a commercial environment with the ability to ensure effective cost control, while delivering value for money and identifying further commercial opportunities for the business.�
9. Track record of high-quality service provision in a client facing capacity, gained in the FM, R&M, Engineering, Building Services or construction environments; takes account of diverse customer needs and requirements and is organised to deliver service objectives.
10. Evidence of creating and maintaining positive, professional and trusting working relationships. Has collaborated with a wide range of people across organisational boundaries to help get business done.
11. Able to lead suppliers, customers and junior colleagues from the front, communicating a strong sense of mission and purpose with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm; tailors and adapts own communication style and approach to suit different audiences.�
12. Evidence of delivering high quality, timely programmatic and project based performance outcomes successfully. Experience of assuming responsibility and accountability for service delivery through an extended team and supply chain.
13. Exhibits a strong focus on continuous learning for oneself, others and the organisation with a track record of actively contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.
Experience & technical skills
14. Previous experience of working in an engineering/critical environments space. Knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems.�
15. Must have experience of managing suppliers and developing strategies for improving technical service delivery
Qualifications & accreditations
Essential criteria:
Chartered Engineer Level 7 (willingness or evidence of working towards)
Tech IOSH or equivalent health and safety qualification�
Desirable criteria:
NEBOSH Diploma
Chartered Engineer Level 7 (willingness or evidence of working towards)
Professional Membership of an industry accrediting body such as MIWFM, CIBSE or RICS�
Asbestos Management Certification
Degree level qualification in Engineering (ideally with Electrical or Mechanical bias)
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
16. Making Effective Decisions
17. Communicating and Influencing
18. Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
19. Customer Perspective
20. Commercial Acumen
21. Property Market Knowledge
22. Innovation
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �62,900, Government Property Agency contributes �18,222 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
23. Learning and development tailored to your role
24. An environment with flexible working options
25. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
26. A with an employer contribution of
27. Generous annual leave