Mechanical & Electrical Contracts & Compliance Manager

Job Description

The London Borough of Harrow is seeking a Mechanical & Electrical Contracts & Compliance Manager to lead and oversee all repair, maintenance and capital investment activities relating to mechanical and electrical systems across its housing portfolio. This pivotal role is responsible for ensuring that council homes are safe, compliant and maintained to a high standard, delivering quality living environments for residents while meeting all statutory and regulatory obligations associated with works carried out by external contractors. The postholder will take a leading role in supporting the Council’s transition from traditional gas heating systems to lower carbon and sustainable solutions, contributing to broader environmental and sustainability objectives.

Acting as the Council’s principal point of contact for key areas of building safety and compliance, the role encompasses the management of gas safety through the delivery of annual safety checks across all domestic properties, heating systems and communal installations. It includes oversight of electrical safety through periodic inspections and testing programmes to ensure installations remain safe and compliant, typically on a five-year cycle. The manager will also be accountable for fire safety measures, including the maintenance of fire alarms, emergency lighting, firefighting equipment and fire doors, as well as water hygiene management in accordance with Legionella ACOP L8, ensuring risk assessments and control measures are in place for shared systems and higher-risk environments such as sheltered housing. In addition, the role will oversee lift safety under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, ensuring regular servicing, inspections and certification of passenger lifts within communal blocks.

The Mechanical & Electrical Contracts & Compliance Manager will provide expert technical advice and leadership across the organisation, offering clear guidance, training and instruction to a wide range of stakeholders including residents, elected members and senior colleagues. The role requires a strong focus on embedding best practice across all areas of compliance, including legal responsibilities, regulatory adherence, policy development, documentation and responsiveness to emerging risks and legislative changes. In managing the Mechanical and Electrical team, the postholder will ensure effective use of resources to minimise risk and uphold the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing, safeguarding employees, residents, service users, contractors and all others affected by the Council’s activities, as far as is reasonably practicable.

The successful candidate will have:

• Experience of managing and delivering major works, cyclical and responsive repair and stock improvement programmes in mechanical, electrical and gas installations across residential housing.
• A track record of establishing and maintaining a strong performance culture, including effective performance measures, the evaluation of service quality and improving service delivery, which meets the needs and expectations of customers.
• Strong track record of strategic management of contractors to deliver maintenance and capital works investment, driving quality, value for money and resident satisfaction.
• A strong and highly motivated leader with energy and credibility who commands the confidence of Members, senior managers, colleagues, partners and stakeholders. Extensive understanding of statutory regulations relating to compliance.
• Able to develop strategy and initiate and evaluate changes in policy and procedures, to lead, motivate, performance manage and develop the team.
• Strong personal commitment to resident engagement and satisfaction.
• A strong commitment to honesty and openness, as well as treating people consistently, fairly, and with respect.
• Inclusive and supportive team player. Logical thinking skills with the ability to operate at both a strategic and operational level.

For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/Selection Criteria

About us

Harrow Council is the 12th largest London borough and one of the most culturally diverse local authorities in the UK, making it a great place to live, work and visit with a range of cultures, religions and opinions that come together to produce high achieving schools and a close and friendly community. Located 10 miles from the city centre and just 13 minutes to Euston from Harrow & Wealdstone station there are great transport links via the Metropolitan Line, Watford DC Line and national rail service. It is easily accessible to the M1, M25 and A406.

Other information

Support for candidates visit:Harrow.gov.uk Our behavioural indicators roles below G11 and above G11 Here at Harrow Council, the vision is one of 'Working together to make a difference for Harrow' Please click here to view Harrow Council's benefits

Important Note

To deliver our commitment to equality of opportunity in service provision, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs at the London Borough of Harrow. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender, reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity unless a Genuine Occupational Qualification applies. As such, we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. For further information, please read our equality statement.

As a disability-confident employer, we are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and accessible to everyone. This includes reasonably adjusting the recruitment process for those with disabilities or long-term health conditions. For further information, please contact us at resourcing@harrow.gov.uk

London Borough of Harrow is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Harrow operates stringent, safer recruitment procedures.

Due to the high number of applications received for some posts, we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.

Harrow redeployees will be given priority consideration.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, any your data protection rights, can be found by visiting www.cifas.org.uk/fpn