Job Title: Head of Mechanical & Electrical Services
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £77,775
Working Hours: Full Time 35 hours
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday
Location: Hybrid, London
If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description.
The difference you will make as a Head of Mechanical & Electrical Services
The Property Services Directorate (Riverside Property Services – RPS) is responsible for the repairs and maintenance of over 24,000 properties across London, the South East, and Home Counties. This encompasses repairs, servicing, voids, planned maintenance work, component renewal, and major works for our customers' homes through our in-house team and various contractors and service providers. Our services cater to general needs, leasehold, market rent, and specialist Care and Support schemes, including statutory and regulatory compliance checks.
The Head of M&E Services plays a crucial role in business planning, service improvement, and achieving high levels of customer satisfaction within these key customer-facing workstreams. As a vital member of the Property Services Senior Management Team, the post holder is expected to take ownership of the services delivered, be accountable to internal and external stakeholders, and collaborate effectively with colleagues across Riverside. This role involves leading and managing the evolving Mechanical, Electrical, and Quality Assurance teams and working in partnership with our contractors to support service delivery. The post holder will ensure that services meet regulatory and statutory requirements, are delivered with a customer-focused approach, and provide value for money. High levels of compliance (KPI targets) are anticipated through effective business planning and service delivery management.
Our approach involves a mixed economy of Direct Labour Organisation (DLO), specialist contractors, general contractors, and consultants. Our objective is to provide a first-class, customer-focused service for M&E Services, including alternative technologies, in close cooperation with the wider property services team. The successful candidate will manage the service and ensure excellent levels of compliance. In collaboration with our health and safety team, the Head of M&E Services will ensure that safe working practices are followed, and works are completed on time, within budget, and to a high standard, ensuring Riverside meets its statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements.
About You
We are looking for someone who is professionally qualified in a Building Services-related discipline with broad expertise in Heating and Electrical Services and the regulatory framework. Demonstrates excellent communication, negotiation, presentation, leadership, delegation, and people management skills. Capable of working under pressure, multitasking, and maintaining high attention to detail.
Why Riverside?
One Housing is part of Riverside, we’re a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we’ve been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives.
We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.
Working With Us, You’ll Enjoy
* Competitive pay & generous pension
* 28 days holidays plus bank holidays
* Flexible working options available
* Investment in your learning, personal development and technology
* A wide range of benefits
Diversity And Inclusion At Riverside
We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues.
Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role (as set out in the role profile and/or person specification) they will be guaranteed an interview.
This role also falls under our Ethnic Diversity guaranteed interview scheme. If you are Ethnically Diverse and demonstrate you meet the minimum criteria for the role you will be guaranteed an interview. If required
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
Role Profile
* Leadership and Team Development:
o Demonstrate leadership in planning, developing, and implementing practices to recruit, motivate, and develop staff while improving service delivery, efficiency, and profitability. Ensure team members are suitably qualified and competent to manage their service area.
o Effectively line manage the M&E Services Team. Lead, manage, motivate, engage, and support the team to deliver a customer-focused service. Provide leadership through effective coaching, mentoring, toolbox talks, 121s, and team meetings.
o Develop the team through training, support, coaching, and mentoring to inspire high performers and foster a can-do culture.
o Ensure all staff within the M&E Services team have a clear understanding of their roles, responsibilities, and corporate, team, and individual targets.
* Operational Management:
o Direct the management and performance of staff, contractors, suppliers, and other resources. Develop open and collaborative partnerships that demonstrate value for money and instil a culture of customer excellence.
o Ensure all team members observe and work within the Riverside Safety Management System and all relevant good practice guides and legislation. Ensure that contractors, consultants, and supply chain partners have effective systems in place to monitor and manage Health and Safety on-site, in line with Riverside Policy and Procedures.
o Oversee the maintenance of all electrical, heating, and mechanical installations, ensuring effective delivery of repairs and upgrades and compliance with legislation, standards, and industry best practices.
o Be available to assist with out-of-hours emergencies or major incidents and undertake some evening and weekend work when required.
* Financial and Contract Management:
o Monitor the operational and financial performance of the service and address shortfalls in performance.
o Manage budgets effectively, including budget setting and providing financial information and analysis to monitor contract progress and expenditure. Support the 1, 5, and 30-year asset business plans.
o Prepare cost value reconciliations of contracts to facilitate accurate financial forecasting and cost control of projects. Ensure timely preparation of accurate invoices and valuations for dispatch by the commercial and finance team.
o Ensure contracts are compliant with Riverside's internal policies and procedures. Oversee the effective procurement and contract management of all service providers engaged by RPS to deliver the compliance service.
* Reporting and Compliance:
o Prepare regular performance monitoring reports for discussion at management team meetings. Present reports to the Riverside Executive Team, Board, and Committee. Ensure compliance reports are accurate, maximizing systems and robust auditing processes.
o Ensure compliance with all statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements at all times.
o Support Senior Managers in monitoring and managing third-party contractor performance to achieve agreed service levels and KPIs.
o Be responsible and accountable for achieving and maintaining 100% compliance.
* Customer and Stakeholder Engagement:
o Use customer feedback to increase satisfaction and involve customers in service improvement. Identify areas for service improvement and manage the implementation and review of planned changes.
o Attend Resident and Committee meetings and present reports on operational areas of responsibility. Ensure key performance indicators are reported in accordance with agreed requirements.
o Act as an ambassador for the service, actively building positive working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders. Attend meetings within and outside of business hours when required.
* Strategic Development:
o Strategically develop the service, including new policies, procedures, and systems to support continuous improvement. Provide written reports and presentations to senior managers with advice and recommendations. Collaborate with colleagues to develop and implement Riverside's sustainability strategy.
o Lead the redesign of systems for better outcomes.
o Influence decisions to support continuous improvement within the directorate by understanding the market and trends to ensure quality of service.
* Additional Responsibilities:
* Support and deputise for team members and your line manager
* Potentially serve as the Principal Duty Holder.
Person specification
Essential
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
* Holds a degree or equivalent. Professionally qualified in a Building Services-related discipline with broad expertise in Heating and Electrical Services and the regulatory framework.
* Demonstrates excellent communication, negotiation, presentation, leadership, delegation, and people management skills. Capable of working under pressure, multitasking, and maintaining high attention to detail.
* Adopts a collaborative approach to lead and engage teams, consistently performing to high standards and delivering customer-focused services.
* Possesses deep understanding of residents' diverse lifestyles and needs, with expertise in managing Partnering Contracts, Contract law, documentation, statutory regulations, and British Standards related to repair and investment contracts.
* Highly proficient in IT skills and literacy, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and other applications.
* Proven ability to establish effective links across departments on technical issues, develop specifications, administer contracts, and deliver major repair, PPM, and refurbishment projects to strict time, cost, and quality standards.
* Skilled in managing significant annual budgets, providing creative solutions, and presenting information effectively in diverse environments.
* Experienced in building successful commercial models for in-house delivery and negotiating formal contracts with external organizations.
* Adept at project management from inception to completion of compliance and planned works programs.
* Strong problem-solving ability, promptly identifying and resolving issues.
* Committed to promoting equality in service delivery.
* Extensive experience managing contractors, Direct Labour Organizations (DLO), and line management within a social housing environment.
* Proficient in writing technical reports, feasibility studies, costed options appraisals, and board reports.
* Competent in asset and data management, tendering, and budget management.
* Holds a full driving license.
Desirable
* Strong knowledge of Heat Networks and the sustainability agenda
* Experience of diagnosing and reporting latent defects
* Level 4 Certificate in Gas Safety Management in Social Housing
* Gas Safe ACSs
* City & Guilds Electrical: 2391 and Part P,
* Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS): STHWS, ASHP, GSHP and CHP.
* Health and Safety qualification: SMSTS / IOSH
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