About this role
Job summary
The Head ofmechanical and ElectricalCompliance is the Trust's strategic and corporate lead forengineeringcompliance, statutoryassuranceand infrastructure risk management across all Trust-owned sites.
The post holder holds corporate responsibility for ensuring compliance with statutory,regulatoryand mandatory requirements relating to Mechanical and Electrical systems, engineering safety, infrastructureresilienceand healthcare technical standards, and forprovidingexpert advice on risk acceptance,derogationsand mitigation.
Operating at senior management level, the role provides strategic leadership, technical policy ownership, delegated financial accountability and expert assurance to Executive Directors and Board-level committees, including leadership of formal audit and inspection programmes and reporting of compliance performance, keyrisksand residual risk.
The post holder develops and delivers the Trust's Engineering Compliance Strategy and annual compliance plan, ensuring safe, resilientand legally compliant estate infrastructure that supports clinical services and patient safety, and driving continuous improvement through risk-based investment, performancemanagementand assurance.
Main duties of the job
Strategic Leadership & AssuranceLead the Mechanical & Electrical compliance function, setting strategy, standards and priorities to maintain a safe, resilient and legally compliant estate.
Statutory Compliance & GovernanceResponsibility for statutory engineering compliance, ensuring robust governance, policies and assurance systems aligned to legislation and HTMs.
Risk Management & ReportingLead infrastructure risk management, including assessment, mitigation and risk acceptance. Provide clear compliance reporting, KPIs and assurance to senior leaders and Board committees.
Engineering Strategy & PlanningDevelop and deliver long-term engineering and infrastructure strategies to support clinical services, patient safety and organisational objectives.
Financial & Resource ManagementManage compliance budgets and contract performance, ensuring value for money and risk-based prioritisation.
Capital & Infrastructure OversightProvide technical leadership on capital projects and major maintenance, ensuring compliance and resilience from design to operation.
Leadership & Workforce DevelopmentDevelop engineering teams, ensuring competence, training, authorisation and performance management.
Emergency Preparedness & ResilienceProvide senior support during incidents and lead infrastructure resilience and business continuity planning.
Stakeholder AdvisoryAct as senior technical advisor to executives, clinicians and partners, influencing decisions through clear risk communication.
About us
Sponsorship - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship.You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the government website.
Job description Job responsibilities Head of Mechanical and Electrical Compliance
Band 8b
Job Purpose The Head of Mechanical and Electrical Compliance is the Trusts senior lead for engineering compliance, statutory assurance, and infrastructure risk management across all Trust sites.
This role holds corporate responsibility for ensuring that all mechanical and electrical systems meet statutory, regulatory, and mandatory requirements. The postholder will lead the development and delivery of the Trusts engineering compliance strategy, ensuring safe, resilient, and fully compliant estate infrastructure that supports clinical services and patient safety.
Operating at senior management level, the role provides expert assurance to Executive Directors and Board-level committees, leading audit and inspection programmes, managing risk, and driving continuous improvement across engineering services.
Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership Lead the Engineering Compliance and Assurance function across all Trust sites. Develop and deliver a 35 year Engineering Compliance and Infrastructure Strategy aligned to organisational priorities. Set standards, priorities, and performance expectations for engineering compliance and infrastructure resilience. Ensure service structures, workforce capability, and succession planning support safe and compliant delivery. Corporate Governance and Compliance Hold corporate responsibility for statutory compliance relating to mechanical and electrical systems. Ensure effective governance, authorising arrangements, and safe systems of work are in place. Develop and maintain Trust-wide policies, technical standards, and compliance frameworks. Lead a risk-based audit and inspection programme aligned with national guidance and legislation. Provide formal assurance reporting to senior leadership, including KPIs, compliance dashboards, and risk updates. Manage engineering risk processes, including mitigation, escalation, and recommendations on risk acceptance or derogation. Financial and Resource Management Manage delegated engineering compliance budgets, ensuring value for money and alignment to risk priorities. Oversee contractor performance, expenditure, and delivery of compliance programmes. Lead engineering input into capital programmes, including business cases, technical approvals, and governance. Develop long-term lifecycle investment plans based on asset condition, compliance gaps, and risk. Leadership and Workforce Provide senior leadership to engineering teams and specialist advisors. Ensure robust competence, authorisation, and training frameworks across engineering disciplines. Lead recruitment, performance management, and professional development. Manage complex organisational change within the engineering compliance portfolio. Capital Projects and Infrastructure Provide technical oversight and assurance across capital schemes and major maintenance programmes. Ensure compliance and resilience requirements are embedded from design through to operation. Lead engineering input into estate planning, refurbishments, and service developments. Oversee commissioning, testing, and handover processes, ensuring operational readiness and compliance. Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Lead engineering response to major incidents, supporting clinical continuity and escalation to Executive teams. Oversee resilience planning for critical systems including power, water, ventilation, and medical gases. Ensure governance arrangements for planned outages and business continuity are robust. Communication and Leadership Skills Ability to lead, influence, and engage senior stakeholders across clinical, operational, and technical areas. Skilled in presenting complex technical and risk information to Executive and Board-level audiences. Strong negotiation skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and achieve consensus. High standards of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality. Analytical and Organisational Skills Ability to interpret complex technical, financial, and regulatory information. Strong data analysis capability, including compliance KPIs, audit outcomes, and incident trends. Effective programme and portfolio management across multiple competing priorities. Highly organised, with the ability to adapt in a fast-paced and complex environment. Additional Information The role requires occasional travel between Trust sites. The postholder will be expected to comply with all organisational policies, governance requirements, and statutory obligations. Summary This is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring that engineering systems and infrastructure are safe, compliant, and resilient. The postholder will play a critical part in safeguarding patient care by managing risk, driving compliance, and shaping long-term engineering strategy across the Trust estate.
Person Specification
Education and Training Essential
Recognised craft apprenticeship or equivalent training and relevant certification Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience at Masters-level standard). HNC, HND or equivalent in electrical engineering Chartered Engineer status or working towards (or equivalent professional standing. Recognised H&S qualification
Desirable
Postgraduate qualification in engineering, estates management or leadership. Corporate membership of an appropriate body Authorised person for specialist NHS HTM disciplines Healthcare/Facilities management degree
Experience Essential
Significant senior-level experience leading engineering compliance within a complex healthcare estate. Experience in devising and managing maintenance systems, establishing and implementing workmanship quality and financial assurance for contracted out maintenance services/in-house estates team/external contractors Working within a quality environment Experience in the development and management of budgets Experience of working in the NHS or similar background Experience of working with people from a variety of disciplines
Desirable
Experience of strategic infrastructure planning within healthcare. Experience leading multi-site estates functions. PFI Experience Undertaking Tenders Responsible person water Appointed Person electrical LV/HV
Skills Essential
Ability to lead through others, work collaboratively at senior level, and operate with a high degree of autonomy and accountability. Advanced report writing and assurance skills, including the ability to synthesise complex evidence into clear recommendations and actions. Digitally competent, able to specify and use performance and assurance information systems (e.g., CAFM, audit tools, reporting dashboards) to support governance and decision-making. Ability to make high-impact decisions under uncertainty, balancing patient safety, service continuity, regulatory compliance and financial constraints, and escalating appropriately. High standards of integrity and professionalism, including the ability to provide objective technical challenge and evidence-based recommendations. Ability to communicate effectively at all levels, including Executive/Board committees and with external auditors/inspectors, translating technical risk into clear options and decisions. Ability to lead technical investigations and assurance reviews of complex system failures/incidents, identify root causes and commission corrective actions. Ability to specify, procure and manage complex contracts and service level agreements, holding internal and external providers to account for delivery and compliance. Ability to interpret, quality assure and present complex performance and risk data (dashboards, audit outcomes, incidents, compliance trajectories) to inform executive decisions. Ability to chair governance meetings and lead performance reviews with contractors and internal teams, providing robust challenge and agreement of remedial actions. Strategic problem-solving skills, including options appraisal and recommendation of proportionate solutions in a complex risk environment. Resilient leader, able to remain effective under pressure, including during incidents and periods of heightened regulatory scrutiny. Ability to manage a complex portfolio of work, prioritising based on risk and organisational impact, and ensuring appropriate governance and documentation.
Desirable
Surveying (M&E, Construction) skills. In depth knowledge and understanding of DoH technical guidance, statutory instruments and industry best practice in regard to healthcare estates services. Excellent project management skills including an ability to lead on projects which may be uncertain and subject to constant change.
Personal Attributes Essential
Commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Values and respects others, treats everyone as an individual, is non judgemental. Motivated to be genuinely kind and caring. Helps and co-operates with colleagues. Pro-active and takes responsibility. Willing to learn open to change. Motivated to make a difference in whatever way they can. Takes pride in themselves, their appearance, their role and where they work. Actively supports the Trust's values.
Desirable
Willing to travel occasionally between Trust community sites
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Address Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Eaton Road
Liverpool
L12 2AP
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://alderhey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)