Estates Infrastructure Manager (Mechanical) - Estates - 8431 - Grade 8

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent UK university is seeking an Estates Infrastructure Manager (Mechanical) to oversee major mechanical services projects. The ideal candidate will have extensive project management experience and a relevant degree. The role includes responsibilities for ensuring compliance, managing budgets, and supporting a commitment to sustainability and diversity. This full-time position offers a salary range of £46,735 to £55,755 annually, with potential progression to £62,728.

Benefits

40 days paid holiday

Occupational sick pay

Development programme

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Proven project management experience overseeing mechanical services.
• Understanding of CDM Regulations required.
• Experience managing large financial budgets.

Responsibilities

• Manage large projects related to mechanical services.
• Provide technical support to the Estates project team.
• Lead on project management, ensuring compliance and quality.

Skills

Project management experience

Technical specialist knowledge

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Health and safety knowledge

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification

Tools

MS Office

BIM software

Job description

Estates Infrastructure Manager (Mechanical)

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
Grade: 8
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
Closing date: 4 January 2026
Salary: £46,735 to £55,755 annually (potential progression to £62,728)

Our offer to you: 40 days paid holiday, a day for volunteering, occupational sick pay, a pension scheme, and subsidised day nurseries. Flexible working arrangements and a development programme are also available. We are committed to diversity, inclusion, and sustainability.

Background

The University of Birmingham Estates Office manages a large estate of over 200 buildings across Edgbaston, Selly Oak, and other sites. The team has 180+ staff and focuses on sustainability, reducing CO₂, and maintaining a 9,200+ tree campus.

Role Summary

Manage large or multiple projects that deliver new build, alteration and refurbishment projects, overseeing mechanical services including water, gas, steam, drainage and district heating. Provide technical support, advise the Estates project team and fulfil Authorised Person duties when required.

Main Duties

• Understand the requirements of the University and its customers, liaising with professional services departments and stakeholders.
• Review and manage technical policies and procedures, ensuring statutory compliance, inspections, maintenance and insurance.
• Provide expert professional advice on mechanical infrastructure works, supporting the Projects section on major capital projects.
• Continuously review key mechanical plant and services, implementing improvements and quality initiatives.
• Participate in the Estates Office’s 24‑hour emergency service, taking managerial responsibility on‑call.
• Support compiling and reviewing infrastructure information (BIM requirements, O'M manuals, H&S documents, service plans).

Project Delivery

• Lead on the management of projects, influencing and developing complex project plans.
• Create and maintain a comprehensive project management plan using appropriate software.
• Identify objectives and indicators of success; organise regular project meetings and stakeholder engagement.
• Manage the project budget, ensuring cost‑effective delivery and zero‑based budgeting.
• Deliver project outputs on time, to budget and to agreed quality standards.
• Manage health and safety on projects.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Communication

• Develop and implement a comprehensive evaluation strategy.
• Establish reporting procedures to gather timely, efficient data.
• Analyse data to determine fit for purpose, taking action to improve data quality.
• Report progress to the project board, highlight risks, maintain a risk register.
• Engage and communicate with stakeholders to disseminate project outputs.

General

• Actively manage equality, diversity and inclusion by monitoring and evaluating, challenging unacceptable behaviour.
• Support the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working.
• Perform any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification, plus significant project management experience.
• Proven technical specialist knowledge of mechanical infrastructure services and statutory requirements.
• Understanding of Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations.
• Authoritative knowledge of relevant work practices, processes and sector awareness.
• Literacy and numeracy with ability to write clearly for varied audiences.
• Ability to meet targets with minimal supervision.
• Experience engaging and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
• Analytical and problem‑solving skills to identify and implement improvements.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, influencing and negotiating with stakeholders.
• Experience managing large financial budgets and budget planning.
• Highly proficient IT skills, including MS Office, with ability to learn new software.
• High self‑motivation and personal accountability to deliver under pressure.
• Knowledge of infrastructure and critical services best practice in public sector.
• Understanding of health and safety in construction/building services.
• Experience developing and managing infrastructure and investment plans.
• Knowledge of legal and operational contract principles.
• Experience championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.

Desirable

• Membership of a relevant professional body.
• Completed mechanical apprenticeship or equivalent qualifications.
• Knowledge of project management, contract administration and building contract operation.
• Experience and knowledge of steam and heating infrastructure.
• Ability to communicate through drawings.
• Experience with Building Information Modelling (BIM).
• Full, clean driving licence.

DBS Required

The University is committed to safeguarding. All pre‑employment checks will be undertaken before appointment. Successful candidates will be required to obtain a satisfactory DBS clearance.

Contact

Informal enquiries to Marcus Vaughan, email: [e-mail]

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The University is committed to providing an inclusive environment. We hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Management and Manufacturing

Industries

Higher Education