Please note that this vacancy is only open to current University of Glasgow employees.

Job Purpose

Responsible for developing the annual programme of highly technical and business critical laboratory shutdowns including scoping the works with senior members of the college of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences (MVLS) and the College of Science and Engineering (CoSE).  You will be responsible for the management of all resources (human, financial and physical) related to the shutdown, ensuring that all works meet the required statutory compliance standards essential for each laboratory.

As part of the Hard FM Team, you will develop and refine critical lab shutdowns to ensure alignment with Estates and University strategies are achieved. You will be accountable for the development, implementation and delivery of all relevant policy, objectives and standards which will have University wide impact.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.  Lead, coordinate and be accountable for the specialist laboratory shutdown programme, working with senior members of relevant colleges, to ensure the university is compliant with statutory obligations and the laboratories can function at optimal levels.

2.  Responsible for scoping of works and then management, effective delivery, and performance management of external contractors, design consultants and internal staff ensuring timely and effective delivery of the specialist laboratory shutdowns.

3.  Responsible for ensuring lab shutdowns delivered are fully aligned with operational strategies, management action plans and University research strategy. Ensure a proactive approach to planning and stakeholder engagement to ensure quality customer service.

4.  With reference to strategic priorities of the university and colleges continually review investment vs benefits against the investment levels and technical complexity of each shutdown.  Provide strategic input into the university investment plan with sound reasoning on potential laboratory shutdown investments.

5.  Coordinate and lead teams to ensure the shutdown programme is planned, managed and executed with a holistic approach to ensure research activities are impacted least by the physical works but benefit in the longer term for the university.

6.  Establish key performance indicators to ensure the shutdowns are as delivered to a consistently high level.

7.  Plan and consider how an expansion of the shutdown programme could benefit the university including alignment with institutional strategic goals. This should include how this could positively impact on the existing estate with reference to space and investment efficiencies, programming and cost.

8.  To support the Director of Facilities Services Hard FM with the development and delivery of strategic and tactical goals and objectives for the MEP teams which align with departmental and wider University operating plans.

9.  To work with Operations Managers and Project Managers across Technical Services, Facilities Services, Medical Veterinary & Life Sciences and College of Science & Engineering to manage the service delivery of the Laboratory Shutdowns, including enhancement works, PPM and reactive maintenance work to meet ‘Business as Usual’ service obligations to the University.

10.  To lead all direct reports in planning scheduling and reviewing workloads and budgets to ensure timeous and cost-effective achievement of laboratory shutdown works. Demonstrate the benefits of expanding the team including the return on investment, succession planning and risk mitigation.

11.  To manage delegated budgets and ensure compliant governance, financial control and value for money. The Shutdowns will ensure multi-million pound worth of high profile and safety critical research is undertaken with as little disruption as possible. Also ensure that the labs will function within the requirements for external licensing bodies such as the Home Office. This includes life safety systems function as required.

12.  Apply broad expertise and knowledge to provide guidance to colleagues at all levels on all aspects of the operation of Fabric and MEP installations/building services including statutory compliance, planned and reactive maintenance with an enhanced focus on MEP installations.

13.  Work with the Director of Facilities Services – Hard FM and embed a culture within estates and with Laboratory Shutdown stakeholders where new ideas and innovation are encouraged and opportunities created; trialling new ways of working and developing a process of continuous improvement.

14.  Provide relevant input into project designs and specifications to ensure consistent standards. Ensure knowledge transfer from shutdown projects to other parts of the business by creating strategically focussed lessons learned document with accompanying presentations to the Assistant Director of PMO and Directors of Facilities Services for Hard FM and Soft FM & Contracts.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Ability to demonstrate the necessary strategic competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and leadership experience in a similar or number of different specialist roles.

Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, 10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification in Engineering/Building Services or related discipline), or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional leadership experience in strategically important specialist areas within building/facilities management.

A2 Evidence of Continuing Professional Development relevant to role.

A3 Broad and authoritative knowledge of key Building Services/MEP maintenance and legislative requirement priorities in relation to a complex estate.

A4 Extensive knowledge of project delivery.

A5 Thorough practical knowledge of the content and application of Health and Safety legislation within the construction industry.

Desirable:

B1 Chartered Membership of a relevant professional body.

B2 Knowledge of standard forms of construction contract.

B3 Knowledge of specialist building systems including ventilation and heating and cooling systems.

B4 Knowledge of Higher Education and Public Sector Estates Management guidance.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Exceptional leadership and management capability with proven skills in managing, inspiring and developing a team and a demonstrable ability to effect positive changes in work practices

C2 Highly credible ability to influence and persuade diverse audiences and stakeholder groups using strong written and verbal communication skills, including negotiation and diplomacy.

C3 Excellent planning, organisational and time management skills with the ability to understand work requirements, deadlines, prioritising and operating effectively under pressure.

C4 Evidence of highly effective project and financial management skills delivered in a construction environment.

C5 Effective interpersonal and team-working skills with the ability to work across teams and schools, and colleges and quickly develop and maintain effective relationships, and contribute positively within a range of teams.

C6 Effective customer relationship skills with ability to influence and negotiate at all levels.

C7 Pro-active with excellent professional judgment and decision-making skills and ability to use initiative to resolve often complex issues independently.

C8 Well-developed IT skills including use of standard desktop applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook and with the capability to develop further IT skills to utilise specialist IT applications.

C9 Highly developed analytical and problem-solving capability with strategic thinking and planning ability and capability to prioritise complex and competing tasks.

C10 Proven skills of managing budgets within agreed cashflows and ability to prioritise spend to align with strategic requirements.

C11 Adept at creating strong business cases ensuring complex messages are delivered succinctly.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Substantial relevant experience as a professional Building Services Engineering practitioner operating in a large complex environment.

E2 Demonstrable, significant relevant and recent experience in the management of operational teams of staff within a similar organisation.

E3 Experience of delivering projects within a complex estate with a similar range of aged and modern plant and equipment.

E4 Ability to demonstrate recent experience of implementing continuous improvement programmes which lead to ongoing business and service delivery improvement.

E5 Demonstrable experience of the management of contractors.

E6 Experience of working within Higher Education or an alternative analogous sector such as the NHS.

Desirable:

F1 Experience of using programme management tools such as PPM Anywhere.

F2 Experience in overseeing plant replacement projects.

F3 Experience of using Trend BMS systems.

F4 Experience of the operation of a District Heating Scheme including CHP engine.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 9, £59,966 - £67,468 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended (permanent).

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing Date:  25 January 2026