A Building Services Manager looks after Building Services, often termed Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) services.

The role encompasses the design, installation and maintenance of essential services and equipment found in all buildings, including:

  • Water, gas and electricity supplies
  • Lighting, heating and air-conditioning
  • ICT
  • Security systems
  • Lifts and escalators

A Building Services Manager is responsible for ensuring efficiency, quality and affordability across the design, installation and maintenance of all these essential systems, ensuring that our homes, schools and workplaces are healthy and comfortable places. They usually work alongside estimators and construction delivery teams.

What does a Building Services Manager do?

  • Reviewing installation plans and specifications to ensure that they deliver what the building/client needs.
  • Advising the design team on the co-ordination of services within the overall building design, for example, advice on how much space is needed above the ceilings to accommodate ventilation systems and other services.
  • Reviewing prices for services work.
  • Testing and checking installations.
  • Making sure jobs meet building regulations and health and safety requirements.
  • Attending meetings and presenting ideas and progress reports to managers and clients.
  • Advising clients on how the building services will operate once the building is complete.
  • Helping to protect the environment by keeping energy wastage to a minimum within the building services.

What makes a good Building Services Manager?

Building Services Managers must be technically minded and have good team working skills. Although you may not think it, building services can have a drastic effect on the layout and appearance of a building project so it is vital that a Building Services Manager can effectively communicate their views to a possibly resistant/sceptical audience.

How do I become a Building Services Manager?

To become a Building Services Manager, you need a minimum of:

  • 5 GCSEs (A-C Grade) or equivalent including maths, science and IT
  • A BTEC in Building Services Engineering, Operations and Maintenance Engineering or Mechanical Engineering or a HNC / HND / Degree in Building Services Engineering (including an industrial placement). Courses at this level include units covering site management, mechanical and electrical services.