Location: UK (Project-based / Hybrid)
Reporting To: Director of Design & Engineering
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced MEP Lead to join the Design & Engineering team on the delivery of a landmark, £1bn+ new-build smart hospital in the UK. This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for the strategic and technical oversight of all Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) and Building Services systems across the project lifecycle.
The MEP Lead will work closely with clinical stakeholders, digital and smart systems teams, architects, structural engineers, contractors, and specialist suppliers to ensure the hospital is clinically safe, digitally enabled, energy-efficient, future-proofed and compliant with all UK healthcare standards. This role offers the opportunity to shape one of the most advanced healthcare facilities in the country, embedding smart, sustainable and resilient building services from concept through to handover.
Key Responsibilities
- Technical & Design Leadership
- Lead the MEP design strategy for a complex, multi-phased acute hospital development
- Provide technical authority across all mechanical, electrical, public health and specialist healthcare systems
- Ensure full integration of MEP systems with architectural, structural, digital and clinical requirements
- Oversee design development from RIBA Stages 4–7, including concept, detailed design, construction and commissioning
Smart Hospital & Digital Integration
- Champion the integration of smart hospital technologies, including: BMS, IoT-enabled systems and digital twins
- Smart energy and asset management systems
- Resilient ICT, data centres and medical IT infrastructure
Work closely with digital, clinical and operational teams to support new models of care
Governance, Compliance & Assurance
- Ensure compliance with all relevant standards and guidance, including: HTM / HBN, NHS, CIBSE, BS, ISO and Building Regulations
- Fire strategy, resilience, infection control and patient safety requirements
- Lead technical reviews, risk assessments, design assurance and gateway submissions
Act as a key point of contact with regulators, NHS stakeholders and assurance bodies
Delivery & Construction Support
- Provide leadership during procurement, contractor engagement and technical tender evaluations
- Support construction delivery, installation reviews, commissioning and handover
- Resolve complex technical challenges and drive solutions across site and design teams
Sustainability & Net Zero
- Lead implementation of low-carbon and Net Zero strategies, including: Energy efficiency and demand reduction
- Low- and zero-carbon technologies
- Resilience, future flexibility and whole-life performance
- Support achievement of sustainability and performance targets (BREEAM, NHS Net Zero Carbon requirements, etc.)
Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
- Lead, mentor and coordinate multi-disciplinary MEP design teams and external consultants
- Collaborate with clinical users, estates teams and operational stakeholders
Provide clear technical leadership, communication and decision-making at senior level
Skills & Experience Required
- Extensive experience leading MEP design on large, complex healthcare or infrastructure projects
- Strong knowledge of UK healthcare regulations (HTM, HBN, NHS guidance)
- Proven leadership experience within a design & engineering environment
- Experience working on projects of significant scale and complexity (£500m+ ideally £1bn+)
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Strong understanding of commissioning, handover and operational readiness
- Experience delivering smart hospitals or digital healthcare environments
- Knowledge of Net Zero Carbon design and sustainability-led solutions
- Experience working with digital twins, smart BMS and data-driven asset management
- Background in Design & Build and/or alliancing delivery models
Qualifications
Degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Building Services Engineering (or equivalent)
Chartered Engineer status (CEng) with CIBSE, IMechE or IET (or working towards)
Relevant health & safety and project leadership training
Personal Attributes
- Visionary and solutions-focused technical leader
- Comfortable working at pace on high-profile programmes
- Collaborative, calm and decisive in complex environments
- Passionate about healthcare, technology and improving patient outcomes through design
Why Join This Project
- Play a leading role in shaping a world-class UK smart hospital
- Work on one of the largest healthcare capital investments in the country
- Influence long-term clinical outcomes through innovative engineering design
- Join a highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary design & engineering team
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