Shift Leader

BGIS
London, United Kingdom

Who this role is best for

Best suited to technically skilled individuals with shift-based experience in commercial building maintenance, working in a 24/7 engineering team environment in London.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with shift-based leadership experience in commercial engineering teams
    — “Working as part of a 24/7 engineering team”
  • Individuals who can manage complex systems and prioritize safety protocols
    — “Monitor and manage critical systems, including BMS, HVAC, electrical distribution, and life safety systems.”

Things to consider

  • Shift patterns require availability on nights, weekends, and bank holidays
    — “Ability to work 24/7 shift patterns, including nights, weekends, and bank holidays.”
  • Candidates must be capable of managing and supervising contractors
    — “Liaise with contractors working on site, ensuring they follow correct safety processes and are properly supervised.”

How to stand out

  • Emphasize your experience in managing critical systems and leading teams under pressure
    — “Ability to lead a team during fast-paced and high-pressure situations.”
  • Highlight your track record in executing planned and reactive maintenance tasks
    — “Carry out both planned and reactive maintenance across a range of mechanical, electrical, and building services equipment.”
  • Showcase your ability to maintain compliance records and ensure adherence to standards
    — “Complete shift reports, logbooks, permit-to-work documentation, and all required compliance records.”
  • Demonstrate your technical expertise in building services systems and fault diagnosis
    — “Strong technical understanding of building services systems (electrical, mechanical, HVAC, BMS, etc.).”
  • Demonstrate your ability to ensure clear and timely shift handovers
    — “Ensure handovers between shifts are clear, accurate, and timely.”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • successful completion of maintenance activities
  • escalation of urgent issues
  • delivery of PPM tasks
Typical background
recognized technical qualification in Electrical or Mechanical Engineeringproven experience in commercial building maintenance

Skills & requirements

Required

BMS SystemsHVAC SystemsElectrical MaintenanceMechanical MaintenanceFault Diagnosis

Preferred

Critical Environment ExperiencePermit-to-work CertificationPlumbing

Stack & domain

Technical Qualification In Electrical Or Mechanical EngineeringBuilding Services SystemsBMSHVACElectrical DistributionLife Safety SystemsFault DiagnosisPLC ProgrammingTroubleshootingPermit-to-workContractor SupervisionIncident ResponseSystem FailuresAlarmsEmergency SituationsCommunicationRecords ManagementTeam LeadershipProblem SolvingDecision MakingCustomer FocusTeamworkFinancial AwarenessRisk AwarenessAuthorised Person (AP)Competent Person (CP)Commercial PropertyEngineeringMaintenanceSafetyQuality

About the role

Original posting from BGIS

Shift Leader

Location: London

Purpose of the Role

The Shift Leader is responsible for overseeing the safe and effective delivery of technical operations across a commercial property on a rotating shift basis. Working as part of a 24/7 engineering team, this role ensures all reactive, planned, and critical maintenance activities are carried out to a high standard, while supporting and guiding engineers throughout the shift.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and supervise a shift engineering team, ensuring all tasks are completed safely, efficiently, and to required standards.

Carry out both planned and reactive maintenance across a range of mechanical, electrical, and building services equipment.

Monitor and manage critical systems, including BMS, HVAC, electrical distribution, and life safety systems.

Act as the first point of technical escalation during the shift, providing guidance, fault diagnosis, and decision‑making support.

Coordinate work allocation, ensuring the shift team responds promptly to customer requests and site priorities.

Ensure all maintenance activities are completed in accordance with site procedures, industry standards, and statutory requirements.

Complete shift reports, logbooks, permit-to-work documentation, and all required compliance records.

Escalate urgent or high‑risk issues to senior management as required.

Support the delivery of Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) and ensure tasks are completed within SLA timeframes.

Liaise with contractors working on site, ensuring they follow correct safety processes and are properly supervised.

Assist with incident response, including system failures, alarms, and emergency situations.

Maintain good communication with the client, control room, and other shift teams to ensure operational continuity.

Promote a strong culture of safety, quality, and teamwork.

Ensure handovers between shifts are clear, accurate, and timely.

Accountabilities

Reports to the Engineering Manager / Shift Manager (depending on site structure).

Responsible for the performance and conduct of shift engineers.

No direct budget responsibility but expected to operate with strong financial and risk awareness.

Essential Requirements

Recognised technical qualification in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering (e.g., City & Guilds, NVQ Level 3, Apprenticeship, or equivalent).

Proven experience working in a commercial building maintenance environment.

Previous experience working within a shift engineering or critical environment team.

Strong technical understanding of building services systems (electrical, mechanical, HVAC, BMS, etc.).

Ability to lead a team during fast-paced and high‑pressure situations.

Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to diagnose faults on complex systems.

Good communication skills and a proactive customer‑focused attitude.

Competent in maintaining accurate records, logs, and compliance documentation.

Ability to work 24/7 shift patterns, including nights, weekends, and bank holidays.

Desirable Requirements

Experience working in critical environments (data centres, financial institutions, hospitals, etc.).

Authorised Person (AP) or Competent Person (CP) certification in electrical, HV/LV, permit-to-work, or mechanical systems.

Additional multi‑skilled capabilities such as plumbing, fabric repairs, or controls.

Experience supervising contractors and leading engineering teams.

Understanding of health & safety legislation and safe systems of work.

At BGIS we believe that diversity and inclusion is a key business driver, such that we never lose sight of its importance as it is woven into the fabric of our organisation. We are committed to maintaining a barrier-free recruitment process by providing equal employment opportunities through recruiting and retention of individuals of all backgrounds. We recognise that promoting diversity is an essential component of our continuing pursuit for organisational success! #BGISUK

Source: BGIS careers

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