Head of department building fabric

Head of Department – building Fabric - £75k – Essex based.


Office : Essex with occasional travelling to client sites.


My client are a leading engineering company who have been trading for over 50 years providing first class building services solutions to some of largest names within retail, educational and catering clients.


The opportunity has now become available for a operations manger/head of department to oversee there building fabric department.


Role Purpose


The Head of Department – Building Reactive Operations is responsible for the overall strategic, operational, and commercial performance of the Building fabric  Reactive function across contracts.


This role provides leadership to Contracts Managers and operational teams, with full accountability for service delivery, financial performance (P&L), health & safety compliance, contract mobilisation, and client satisfaction.


The objective is to ensure all contracts are delivered safely, efficiently, profitably, and in line with client expectations, company standards, and legislative requirements.


You will be overseeing a building fabric department that consists of 35 engineers, 3 contract managers and a team of administrators across blue chip clients such as universities, retail and catering contracts across London and the South East.


This busy department carries out all building fabric repairs and maintenance to large fabric projects.

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Key Responsibilities


Leadership, Management & Accountability (LMA)

• Lead, manage, and develop Contracts Managers and operational teams
• Drive a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement
• Conduct performance reviews, coaching, and succession planning
• Set and maintain operational standards aligned with company policies

Operational Delivery

• Oversee delivery of all reactive maintenance and contract services
• Ensure works are completed safely, on time, within budget, and to quality standards
• Manage mobilisation of new contracts and service expansions
• Monitor KPIs and resolve escalated operational issues

Commercial & Contract Management

• Maintain full accountability for contract performance and compliance
• Manage commercial risk, variations, and service delivery standards
• Support contract renewals and identify opportunities for commercial growth

Estimating & Pricing

• Oversee estimating, pricing, and tender submissions
• Ensure competitive pricing while protecting margins

Health & Safety

• Lead and promote a strong health & safety culture
• Ensure RAMS are reviewed, approved, and implemented
• Oversee audits, inspections, and incident investigations

Financial Management

• Full ownership of departmental P&L
• Monitor revenue, costs, margins, and forecasts
• Identify cost efficiencies and growth opportunities

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships
• Attend client meetings, reviews, and manage escalations
• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction and service performance

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Department Accountability


Operating within the Building accountability structure, the role holds responsibility for:

• Operational delivery across all regions
• Mobilisation of new contracts and service expansions
• Health & Safety performance and compliance
• Revenue delivery and financial performance
• Full P&L ownership
• Account management across key contracts

The role provides leadership across Contracts Managers, allocation teams, engineers, supply chain partners, and supporting finance and administrative functions.

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Remuneration (Proposed)

• Salary: £70,000 per annum
• Car Allowance: £5,000 per annum
• Monday to Friday 8 till 5.30pm
• Total Package: £75,000 per annum
• 25 days holiday
• Laptop/Phone
• Bonus structure to be agreed separately.