Head of Mechanical and Engineering

Head of Mechanical & Engineering (M&E)

Location: Flexible with UK-wide travel
Salary: Competitive commensurate with experience
Contract Type: Permanent, full time

Do you have what it takes to lead compliance and service excellence across a large, diverse housing portfolio? We're seeking a seasoned professional to step into the pivotal role of Head of Mechanical & Engineering (M&E) and help ensure our residents live safely and comfortably.

About the Role

As the Head of M&E, you’ll lead a highly skilled team and oversee the delivery and compliance of critical mechanical services — including gas safety, lift safety, communal heating, and other mechanical systems (excluding electrical). This is a strategic leadership role at the heart of our Resident & Building Safety function, where your decisions will directly impact resident wellbeing and regulatory assurance.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the subject matter expert on gas, lift, and mechanical systems safety and compliance
• Lead contractor management for inspections, servicing, and remedial works
• Develop and maintain robust policies and assurance frameworks
• Drive customer-focused service delivery and transparent resident communication
• Manage incident investigations and represent the organisation with regulators (e.g. HSE, Gas Safe)
• Monitor budgets, KPIs, and service performance to ensure value for money and continual improvement
• Inspire and lead a high-performing, empowered team

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

• Leadership experience in gas, lift, and mechanical safety services
• In-depth knowledge of regulations: Gas Safety (Installation & Use) 1998, LOLER, etc.
• Gas Safe Registered or equivalent
• Proven success in contractor management and compliance delivery
• Excellent communication, stakeholder, and team leadership skills
• Full, clean UK driving licence

Desirable:

• Experience in social housing or the public sector
• HND/HNC in Mechanical Engineering and/or NEBOSH/IOSH qualification
• Budget and performance management expertise

Why Join Us?

• Work for a purpose-driven organisation that puts resident safety first
• Lead meaningful change and innovation in mechanical services
• Collaborate with experienced professionals in a values-led environment
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, ongoing development, and career progression opportunities

Anchor – a great place to work

Anchor is England’s largest not-for-profit providers of care and housing for older people. Our heartfelt ambition is to transform housing and care so everyone can have a home where they love living in later life.

We’re not-for-profit which means every penny we make or save is invested in the people who live with us, the places they live and the people who work here. That means a better standard of care and customer service, better wages, more investment in training and development and improved facilities.

A rewarding environment

From health and happiness to finance and your career, we’ll give you all the support you need.

Health & happiness

• Gym, fitness and wellbeing discounts
• Mental health support
• Flexible working options
• Access to online GP appointments

Finance

• Pension plan – contribute between 4% and 8% and we’ll match it or better
• Quick and easy pension transfer service
• Savings and financial advice, loans, free life assurance
• Discounts on shopping, holidays, phones, technology and more

Career

• Ongoing personal and professional development programme
• Leadership Pathways online learning resources
• Career progression and promotion opportunities

To see our full range of benefits, check out our dedicated being well website Please follow the link or copy and paste https://anchorbeingwell.co.uk/ into your browser 

Celebrating diversity, celebrating you

Anchor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We aim to celebrate diversity and inclusion in all that we do, as we know that the more diverse our colleagues are, the better care and support we can give to our residents and each other.  

We are proud to have an LGBT+ group for our residents, and also Disability, LGBT+ and race and ethnicity colleague networks. These work to celebrate diversity, address concerns, review policy and practice and empower their members.  We also have an Inclusive Ambassador network to allow all colleagues to be part of promoting diversity and to be an ally to others.

We are a Gold Standard Inclusive Employer, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, Menopause Friendly and a signatory to the Care Leaver Covenant, HouseProud Pledge and Age Friendly Employer Pledge schemes.