Shift Manager (Engineering)

Role: Shift Manager - Onsite

Role Overview

The Shift Manager is a hands-on operational leadership role responsible for leading the shift engineering team and ensuring seamless 24/7 building operations. This position focuses on real-time response coordination, shift team supervision, operational continuity across shift patterns, and maintaining immediate system availability during out-of-hours periods. The role requires physical presence during shift operations and direct oversight of shift engineers executing maintenance and reactive tasks.

Key Responsibilities

Shift Team Leadership & Direct Supervision

Provide on-shift leadership and direct supervision of shift engineers, ensuring immediate task prioritization and technical guidance during operational periods

Conduct daily shift briefings and end-of-shift debriefs to communicate priorities, safety alerts, and operational handovers

Build and maintain high-performing shift teams through active coaching, on-the-job mentoring, and real-time performance feedback

Manage shift team attendance, absences, and daily resource deployment to maintain operational coverage

Perform on-shift capability assessments and identify skill development needs for individual shift engineers

Lead by example through hands-on involvement in technical tasks during critical situations or resource constraints

Foster team cohesion and morale across shift patterns, ensuring consistent standards between different shift teams

24/7 Operational Continuity & Real-Time Response

Maintain operational command during assigned shift periods, ensuring immediate response to all building system alerts and failures

Monitor live Building Management Systems (BMS), fire alarm panels, and critical system dashboards throughout shift operations

Coordinate rapid response to equipment breakdowns, alarms, and emergency situations requiring immediate engineering intervention

Direct shift engineers on urgent reactive tasks, prioritizing based on operational impact and client requirements

Execute real-time decision-making for system isolations, emergency shutdowns, and critical equipment changeovers

Manage simultaneous incidents during shift periods, deploying resources effectively to minimize service disruption

Provide technical troubleshooting support to shift engineers for complex system failures or diagnostic challenges

Maintain continuous communication with building security, client representatives, and on-call stakeholders during incidents

Shift Handover Management & Communication

Execute structured shift handovers with incoming/outgoing Shift Engineering Managers or day team supervisors

Maintain comprehensive shift logs documenting incidents, completed works, ongoing issues, and outstanding actions

Ensure all critical information is communicated clearly between shift teams to prevent information loss or task duplication

Update work management systems in real-time with shift activities, reactive responses, and job status changes

Brief Engineering Manager on significant shift events, trends, or emerging issues requiring management attention

Coordinate with day teams on tasks requiring follow-up, specialist input, or continuation beyond shift hours

Out-of-Hours & Emergency Coordination

Serve as primary escalation point for all engineering emergencies during shift periods

Mobilize emergency response resources including on-call specialists, contractors, or additional shift engineers when required

Coordinate with emergency services (fire, police, ambulance) during critical incidents affecting building safety or operations

Execute emergency procedures including evacuations, system isolations, or building lockdowns as required

Manage client communication during out-of-hours emergencies, providing timely updates on incident status and resolution timelines

Document emergency incidents thoroughly, including actions taken, resources deployed, and lessons learned

Participate in on-call rota as required to provide management support outside standard shift patterns

Reactive Maintenance Execution & Quality Control

Oversee shift engineers executing reactive maintenance tasks, ensuring work quality and timely completion

Verify completed reactive works meet technical standards before signing off jobs in work management systems

Conduct spot-checks on shift engineer workmanship during and after task completion

Ensure all reactive works are properly documented with accurate time recording, parts usage, and technical notes

Monitor reactive backlog during shifts, ensuring aged jobs are progressed and nothing is overlooked

Coordinate specialist contractor callouts for reactive works beyond in-house capability during shift periods

Shift-Based Planned Maintenance Delivery

Monitor PPM completion throughout shifts, ensuring targets are met and work quality is maintained

Conduct random quality checks on completed PPMs to verify compliance with specifications and procedures

Address PPM overruns or incomplete tasks by reassigning resources or escalating to Engineering Manager

Update maintenance management systems with accurate PPM completion records before end of shift

Shift Operations Health & Safety

Enforce safe working practices during all shift activities, challenging unsafe behaviours immediately

Conduct shift-based safety walks and plant room inspections, identifying and rectifying hazards

Ensure shift engineers use correct PPE, tools, and equipment for all tasks

Verify Permit to Work compliance for all shift activities requiring isolation or high-risk work

Coordinate safe contractor access during shift periods, verifying RAMS and monitoring on-site activities

Report all incidents, near-misses, and safety observations occurring during shift operations

Lead shift-based safety briefings on new procedures, lessons learned, or seasonal hazards

Maintain shift-accessible safety documentation including emergency contact lists and procedure guides

Live System Monitoring & Performance Optimization

Continuously monitor critical system parameters (temperatures, pressures, flows, power consumption) during shifts

Identify abnormal operating conditions and direct corrective actions before failures occur

Optimize system performance during low-occupancy periods through parameter adjustments or equipment sequencing

Coordinate planned testing and commissioning activities during shift periods to minimize occupant impact

Maintain plant room and equipment compound cleanliness standards through shift team accountability

Conduct shift-based equipment inspections recording meter readings, visual conditions, and abnormal observations

Shift Resource & Task Management

Deploy shift engineers efficiently across multiple tasks, balancing reactive demands with planned work

Monitor engineer productivity and time utilization throughout shifts, addressing inefficiencies immediately

Ensure shift teams have necessary tools, equipment, spare parts, and consumables to complete assigned tasks

Coordinate shift vehicle usage and ensure proper maintenance, cleanliness, and security of fleet assets

Manage shift break schedules to maintain continuous operational coverage

Track and control shift overtime, ensuring appropriate authorization before additional hours are worked

Technical Documentation & Record Keeping

Maintain accurate shift logs recording all activities, incidents, system changes, and communications

Ensure shift engineers complete job cards, timesheets, and system updates accurately and promptly

Update asset registers with new equipment information or changes identified during shift operations

Photograph and document equipment conditions, defects, or completed works as required

Maintain shift-accessible technical documentation including drawings, manuals, and contact information

Archive shift records systematically for audit trails and historical reference

Essential Skills & Experience

Shift Leadership & Team Management

Proven experience leading engineering teams in shift-based, 24/7 operational environments

Ability to motivate and direct teams during unsociable hours including nights, weekends, and holidays

Strong situational leadership skills to adapt management style based on real-time operational demands

Experience managing shift handovers and maintaining operational continuity across multiple teams

Comfortable making autonomous decisions during out-of-hours periods with limited management support

Operational & Technical Competence

Minimum 5 years' experience in shift operations or supervisory roles within facilities management or industrial environments

Hands-on technical competence across electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and plumbing systems

Practical troubleshooting ability to diagnose and resolve equipment failures under time pressure

Experience working with Building Management Systems (BMS) for monitoring and control

Understanding of critical building systems including life safety, power distribution, and HVAC controls

Emergency Response & Decision-Making

Proven track record managing technical emergencies and coordinating rapid response activities

Ability to remain calm under pressure and make sound decisions during critical incidents

Experience liaising with emergency services and managing building evacuations or lockdowns

Strong risk assessment capability to evaluate situations and implement appropriate safety measures

Confidence to escalate appropriately while taking ownership of shift-period incidents

Systems & Documentation

Experience using computerized maintenance management systems (Corrigo, Maximo, or similar)

Competent with mobile devices and tablets for real-time system updates and communication

Strong written communication skills for shift logs, incident reports, and handover documentation

Practical knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) for reporting and communication

Health & Safety

Valid IOSH Managing Safely certification (essential)

Thorough knowledge of Health & Safety regulations applicable to shift operations

Experience implementing Permit to Work systems and managing safe isolations

Practical understanding of RAMS review and contractor safety supervision

Commitment to zero-harm safety culture and willingness to challenge unsafe practices

Flexibility & Availability

Willingness to work rotating shift patterns including nights, weekends, public holidays, and seasonal variations

Availability for on-call duties as part of management rota

Flexibility to adjust shift patterns based on operational requirements or emergency situations

Full UK driving licence for travel between sites or emergency callouts

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

City & Guilds, NVQ Level 3, HNC, or equivalent engineering qualifications

Experience in high-availability environments (data centres, hospitals, manufacturing, airports)

Familiarity with cooling towers, water treatment systems, and associated compliance

Exposure to service desk or help desk operations

Professional body membership (IWFM, CIBSE, IET) </p

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