Chief Engineer

**Salary £60,000 - £65,000

Role Purpose**

The Chief Engineer is the senior technical lead for Ark's co-living portfolio. They are responsible for ensuring that all mechanical, electrical, and building systems across Ark's sites operate safely, efficiently, and in full statutory compliance.

This role oversees the engineering delivery at the following sites:

• Ark Canary Wharf

• Ark Wembley

• New Ark sites launching in 2025 and beyond

The Chief Engineer leads the engineering team, including the Deputy Chief Engineer and Maintenance Engineers, ensuring consistent standards, strong performance, excellent communication, and a safe, high-quality resident experience.

Key Responsibilities

1. Technical Leadership

• Act as Ark's technical authority across all engineering and building services.

• Provide direction, coaching, and support to the Deputy Chief Engineer and Maintenance Engineers.

• Lead on technical decision-making, including system diagnostics, root cause analysis, and emergency responses.

• Support mobilisation of new Ark sites, ensuring engineering documentation, asset data, and plant room standards are correct from day one.

1. Team Leadership & Management

• Line manage the Deputy Chief Engineer and Maintenance Engineers across all sites.

• Allocate duties, manage workloads, and oversee shift patterns, ensuring efficient resource planning.

• Conduct 1:1s, performance reviews, and skills development plans.

• Set expectations around professionalism, communication, and resident-first service.

• Build a strong engineering culture that reflects Ark's values.

1. Planned & Reactive Maintenance

• Ensure all PPMs are completed on time, accurately recorded, and compliant.

• Oversee reactive repairs and escalate complex issues as needed.

• Drive a proactive approach to risk reduction and system resilience.

• Ensure plant rooms and technical areas are maintained to a consistently high standard.

1. Compliance & Safety

• Ensure statutory compliance across all engineering activities.

• Oversee safety-critical systems, including:

• Fire alarm interfaces

• Sprinkler systems

• HVAC

• Water hygiene and legionella controls

• Electrical safety

• Gas systems

• Lifts and vertical transportation

• Maintain accurate compliance records on Ark's designated digital platforms.

• Carry out internal audits and support external inspections.

• Review RAMS and ensure contractors follow Ark safety standards at all times.

1. Contractor & Supplier Management

• Manage specialist contractors across all sites, ensuring quality delivery and value for money.

• Support tendering for engineering, fire safety, M&E services, and maintenance contracts.

• Oversee on-site works, shutdowns, and testing regimes.

• Build strong, reliable relationships with external partners.

1. Asset Management & Lifecycle Planning

• Maintain up-to-date asset registers, condition reports, and service histories.

• Support lifecycle planning, budget forecasting, and capital investment proposals.

• Identify opportunities for system upgrades, efficiency improvements, and cost optimisation.

1. Resident & Stakeholder Experience

• Ensure engineering works minimise disruption and maintain resident safety and comfort.

• Communicate clearly with residents and operations teams during planned and unplanned works.

• Present engineering information in a clear, accessible way for non-technical stakeholders.

1. Continuous Improvement

• Drive improvements across engineering delivery, compliance accuracy, and resident satisfaction.

• Introduce best practice standards and streamline engineering processes.

• Promote innovation, energy efficiency, and high-quality building performance.

Skills and Experience Required

• Significant experience in engineering, building services, or technical FM roles across residential, co-living, BTR, hospitality, or mixed-use environments.

• Strong working knowledge of M&E systems, BMS, HVAC, electrical distribution, pumps, chillers, pressurisation systems, and critical plant.

• Proven experience managing engineers and leading technical teams.

• Skilled at contractor management, technical problem-solving, and incident escalation.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain technical issues simply and professionally.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 or higher in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. (Desirable)

• F-Gas, AC, Gas Safe, or specialist certifications desirable.

• IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent preferred.

Reporting Line

• Reports to the Director of Property Management & Compliance (you).

• Leads the Deputy Chief Engineer and Maintenance Engineers.

Locations

Primary sites:

• Ark Canary Wharf

• Ark Wembley

Additional sites will be added as Ark expands. Travel between sites is required.

Why This Role Matters

This is a pivotal role in shaping the engineering standards of the Ark portfolio. The Chief Engineer directly contributes to resident safety, comfort, and satisfaction, while strengthening Ark's reputation for delivering high-quality buildings and operational excellence.