Head of Critical Environments & Technical Services

This is an ambitious and exciting task, for which we need innovative people, with strong commercial acumen, who are passionate about visualising and implementing customer needs. Launched as an Executive Agency of the Cabinet Office in 2018, we're a relatively new department and we are growing fast so we also need people who thrive in ambiguity, can adapt quickly to change and are comfortable stepping outside of their remit to drive outcomes. The GPA is committed to representing the communities we serve by making Diversity, Equality and Inclusion part of everything we do. To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community. As a member of the GPA Workplace Service Delivery Senior Leadership Team the Head of Critical Environments & Technical Services will be responsible for business management related to the Critical Environments (CE) portfolio as well as aspects of strategic account development for GPA supplier partners. Also influencing wider strategies across the delivery of services into our estate. Additionally, they will oversee through operational leadership, the compliance, health and safety standards, providing risk management and assurance while acting as a subject matter expert leading O&M and FM suppliers. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring service provision to the Critical Environments (CE) so that they can operate 7 days per week, 365 days per year and that any potential risks are identified and mitigated in accordance with legislation and controls. They will ensure that the GPA has the right suppliers, demonstrates value for money and operates on a cost neutral basis.,

• Oversee management of the Critical Environments (CE) which includes both district heating and emergency standby power systems.
• Manage the Critical Environments business to ensure that users connected to the systems achieve full service provision and value for money from the schemes.
• Responsible for the management of all CE service contracts - develop key stakeholder relationships ensuring that fit for purpose services are in place and maintained in line with best practice and pertaining legislation / guidance
• Provide technical and commercial knowledge to support the Critical Environments, the central Government Estate and it's interdepartmental agreements, advising on investment opportunities.
• Ensure all stakeholders and customers are appraised regularly through face to face, user group and project meetings and that issues and requests for data are managed effectively and resolved in a timely manner.
• Lead Technical Engineering assurance across GPA's workplace services contracts, including National District Heating and Technical Engineering strategy through the supplier contracts.
• Collaborate with local councils on heat network connection opportunities and driving strategic alignment and improvement in the supplier Hard Services Contracts.
  
  The Government Property Agency is changing the way the Civil Service works and is at the forefront of Government's transformation agenda; reshaping the relationship civil servants have with their place of work. The Agency is central to the delivery of key Government policies including moving 22,000 Civil Service roles out of London by 2030 and tackling climate change by contributing to the Net Zero agenda. To do this we are delivering a major change programme across the UK and consolidating our portfolio in order to save £1.4 Bn over 10 years.
Beyond the bricks and mortar, the GPA is about providing great workplaces for our people. Through programmes like Hubs, Whitehall Campus and Smart Working you will be in the vanguard of creating model working environments and promoting flexible working practices.