We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

What’s in it for you? Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Newcastle is an inclusive global University community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

Newcastle University is committed to being a fully inclusive Global University which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, as well as being open to flexible working practices.

Salary: £43,414.00 - £51,805.00  per annum

Closing date: 3 January 2023

The role

As a 2021 Times Higher Education Award winner of the Outstanding Estates Team and Outstanding Technician of the Year, we are excited to be sourcing an experienced Mechanical or Electrical Building Services Engineer to join our Improvements Team. This is a strategic role that will support the delivery of an in-house design services that specialise in the design, procurement, and delivery of estate related projects, ranging in value from £10k – c.£2m. Mainly focusing on the refurbishment and effective repurposing of the existing estate, driving improved student and staff experience and promoting the efficient use of the estate. 10-year rolling long term maintenance programme, in addition to being the sustainability lead for the team.  We are also recruiting for both an Electrical and Mechanical Building Services Engineer, to review these roles, please click ont he links below:

Electrical Building Service Engineer(21581)

Mechanical Building Services Engineer(24526)

Reporting to the Head of Improvements, the role will lead the delivery of a Building Services Engineering design service within the University Estate & Facilities Improvements Team. The Improvements team are responsible for the design and delivery of both minor and major construction related projects for a range of Faculty and Professional Service clients.

To achieve this, you will have a proven track record as a Mechanical or Electrical Building Services Engineer, with experience of working within multi-discipline design teams and contributing to the delivery of multiple complex projects at any one time. It is important that you can manage conflicting priorities and to influence programmes of works, with a sound knowledge of construction technology and construction management. 

We are keen to hear from people who share our passion in achieving our Net Zero Carbon goal by 2030, through an understanding of sustainable construction methods and technologies.

If this is you, we want to hear from you. To talk to us or arrange a visit please contact Adam Hamilton, Head of Improvements (Estates). Telephone 0191 2083436, email adam.hamilton@ncl.ac.uk.

This role will close when we find a suitable candidate and we will contact you within a week of your application to advise you of the outcome.

Key Accountabilities

• To be responsible for managing an internal design team, and external resources such as consultants and contractors as necessary to support the aims of the Improvements team including setting objectives and monitoring progress, evaluating options and risks to ensure value for money is delivered.
• You will undertake the lead role in multi discipline projects and will make decisions on the development and cost-effective delivery of:
• Engineering Improvement schemes, either as stand-alone projects or part of Building led Improvement Schemes
• Single and multi-discipline Long Term Maintenance schemes across the University’s Estate
• To act as first point of contact within their particular designated specialist engineering discipline and take responsibility for the allocation, programming and management of works within the team in accordance with all current guidance, legislation, codes of practice, local bylaws and University policy.
• Manage from inception to completion major projects funded from School, Faculty, revenue and long-term maintenance funds.
• Preparation of feasibility reports, project budgets and supporting planning statements. Management of the project budget and monitoring the financial position, making meaningful comparisons against budget. Preparation of realistic estimates and continuous financial position of projects.
• Support Improvements and Sustainability team colleagues to ensure all projects consider the University sustainable policy, initiatives and targets.
• Identify, investigate and recommend schemes where directed for funding bids for Improvement schemes and against Long Term Maintenance and reserves.
• To manage Health & Safety and undertake the role of Principal Designer and other duties where required under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, including design risk assessments, preparation of pre-construction health & safety information and the preparation of the Health & Safety files for completed projects. Ensure that all legislation such as Legionella, Electricity at Work, Asbestos, Fire, COSHH, Health & Safety etc. are effectively applied.
• Ensure that Service Level Standards are met for all services provided in order to meet the University’s requirements within the constraints imposed by budget allocations.
• To prepare design and tender drawings, specifications and contract documents for building and engineering projects and procure works including tender analysis reports. Carry out contract administration of these projects to ensure successful completion including full cost control and settling of final accounts. Taking a lead role in delivering the projects including the programming and monitoring of contractors and works.
• Provide training and advice to colleagues and other staff. Promote teamwork and multidisciplinary working in staff. Assist with staff recruitment as necessary. Support and mentor, the professional development of junior members of the team.
• Assist in the provision of reports which demonstrate the effectiveness of the services. E.g. reports on continual improvement and reports showing performance against set targets.
• Liaise with Heads of School, client estate representatives, Professional Services, Faculties and adjacent occupants, as required, to advise on the potential implications and disruption caused by improvement constructive activities, implement and co-ordinate all necessary actions to minimise disturbance.
• Proactively support the soft landings processes.
• Liaise with the Capital Development and Maintenance Divisions and persuade or advise of appropriate standards for plant, materials and equipment in order to optimise the whole life cost of projects. Check pre-tender documentation form consultants prior to it being sent to contractors for tender and ensure that University standards are being met.
• Handover completed projects to the client and advise Operation and Maintenance staff. Ensure that commissioning has been carried out correctly and that systems operate as designed and in line with university requirements.
• Provide all relevant professional and technical advice, where appropriate, to the Head of Improvements, Capital Developments, Professional Support Service, maintenance Division and Outside Agency Representatives on all aspects of project issues regarding options, recommendations, costings and alternative solutions. Liaise, consult and negotiate with University staff at all levels and organisations availing themselves of our services e.g. NHS, Tenants, Commercial businesses.
• To monitor the performance and quality of works carried out by Consultants and Contractors and analyse client feedback to ensure that all works are managed in accordance with agreed Service Level Standards in terms of efficiency, responsiveness and cost effectiveness of the overall service provided. Continually monitor and review value for money and service standard.
• Undertake other duties as and when required.

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• A sound working knowledge of legislation and regulations relating to: Building Regulations, Asbestos, Legionella, Electricity, Health & Safety, Construction Design and Management (CDM), Equality Act, etc.
• Experience as a Electrical Building Services Design Engineer 
• High level of computer literacy, in particular AutoCAD and Office applications.
• Proficient in the use of other relevant software packages such as those used in design and specification of engineering projects – MEPworx, NBS Chorus etc.
• Proven organisational ability and people management skills.
• The ability to adopt industry best practice, system modifications and new procedures in order to optimise the level of service provided.
• Budget management experience and the delivery of value for money projects.
• The ability to develop innovative solutions to problems.
• Post qualification experience, wide knowledge of building services design and construction experience of contract and project management.
• An understanding, backed up by experience, of planning, organising and delivering excellent customer service is a major element of this post.

Attributes and behaviours

• Can evidence a track record of maintaining and developing knowledge through continuing professional development (CPD).
• Personable, a good communicator and have the ability to write clear concise reports.
• The ability to uphold and operate in line with the University and Estate and Facility department’s vision and values.

Qualifications

• A degree in an appropriate engineering discipline or an appropriate professional qualification, C.Eng or I.Eng or studying towards a professional qualification.

The University holds a silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. The University is also a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.