James Lewis Recruitment

Mechanical Site Manager Epping Data Centre Permanent or Contract £350-£400 per day About the Project This role sits at the heart of a major data centre development in Essex. Phase 2 of the project involves the installation and commissioning of high-voltage and low-voltage mechanical systems, critical power infrastructure, UPS systems, generators, and building services to support a mission-critical facility. The successful candidate will join a well-established site team and take day-to-day responsibility for mechanical works delivery, ensuring all activities are completed safely, on programme, and to the highest quality standards. Role Overview The Mechanical Site Manager will be responsible for managing and overseeing all on-site mechanical installation activities for Phase 2 of the data centre build. You will coordinate directly with the main contractor, subcontractors, and the client s technical team, acting as the primary point of contact for all mechanical-related matters on site. Key Responsibilities Site Management & Delivery Oversee and manage the day-to-day mechanical installation works on site including CHW/LTHW & HVAC distribution, containment, cabling, lighting, small power, earthing, and specialist data centre systems. Monitor and manage the programme for mechanical works, identifying delays early and implementing recovery plans. Coordinate with mechanical, civil, and structural trades to ensure efficient sequencing and no conflicts on site. Attend and chair site progress meetings, producing and distributing minutes as required. Manage the inspection and testing regime, ensuring all works are tested, certified, and documented in line with relevant mechanical standards. Health, Safety & Environment Ensure all mechanical works are carried out in strict accordance with CDM 2015 regulations, site rules, and company H&S policies. Conduct and review Method Statements and Risk Assessments (RAMS) for all mechanical activities on site. Carry out regular site safety inspections and toolbox talks. Ensure all operatives hold appropriate and current qualifications (CSCS cards, IPAF, PASMA, etc.). Maintain a zero-harm culture and lead by example. Quality & Compliance Maintain a robust quality management process, including snagging, sign-off, and as-built records. Ensure all materials and equipment comply with project specifications and relevant British Standards. Liaise with the client s commissioning team and specialist vendors during the energisation and commissioning phases. Manage and issue permits to work (PTW) for mechanical isolations and commissioning activities. Team & Subcontractor Management Directly manage mechanical working gangs, including subcontractors and agency labour. Coordinate labour requirements with the Project Manager and resource planner. Review and approve subcontractor attendance sheets and ensure correct deployment of labour. Induct all new operatives to site and ensure compliance with site rules and procedures.

Mechanical and Electrical Projects / Contracts Director Central London Full-time Permanent 110,000 - 130,000 + bonus + car allowance + private medical including dental + 5% matched pension + 25 days holiday plus bank holidays If you have got to the point where running one project or one account is no longer enough, this is the kind of role that gives you wider control without dragging you too far away from the work that actually matters. This is not a title built around sitting above the detail and only stepping in when there is a problem. It is a senior leadership role for someone who understands what strong M&E delivery looks like across multiple projects, knows how to build capable teams, and can keep grip on performance without creating noise. You would be taking responsibility across a portfolio of technically demanding critical infrastructure projects in Central London, helping shape how schemes are won, staffed, delivered and closed out. The business operates in complex building services environments where programme certainty, technical quality, sequencing and client confidence are all under constant pressure. The projects themselves are not generic commercial installs. They sit in the critical infrastructure space, where the standard of leadership has a direct impact on delivery, repeat business and divisional growth. This role is about giving someone the room to lead across that properly. You will be overseeing senior project and contracts teams across multiple live schemes, while working closely with commercial, technical and pre-construction functions to make sure projects are set up correctly from the start. That means looking beyond day-to-day reporting and taking real ownership of how the division performs, where risks sit, how teams are structured and how clients experience the business. This would suit someone already operating at a high level within an M&E contractor, whether currently as a Contracts Director, Senior Contracts Manager, Operations Manager or in a comparable leadership role. The key is that you have experience managing multiple teams and projects at once, and that you can bring the right balance of delivery focus, commercial awareness and leadership presence. The role You will take ownership of a portfolio of critical infrastructure and technically complex M&E projects across Central London, ensuring they are properly resourced, commercially controlled and operationally aligned from pre-start through to commissioning and handover. You will lead and support Project Managers, Contracts Managers and senior site teams, helping drive standards around programme, coordination, labour strategy, procurement, client management, quality and overall project performance. You will work closely with pre-construction, commercial and technical teams to ensure risks are identified early, projects are mobilised properly and delivery teams are not left trying to recover issues that should have been addressed upstream. You will help create more consistency across project reporting, forecasting, resource planning and operational standards, bringing stronger structure to the division rather than reacting to problems once they appear. You will maintain and grow key client relationships, acting as a credible senior point of contact and helping turn strong project delivery into repeat opportunities. You will also play a meaningful role in recruitment, team development and succession planning, helping strengthen the capability of the business as it grows. What they are looking for A proven senior leader from an M&E building services background, with experience overseeing multiple projects, teams and live delivery functions. A strong understanding of complex project delivery within critical infrastructure, mission-critical or technically demanding commercial environments. The ability to lead senior teams without losing sight of commercial control, operational standards and client expectations. A track record of improving performance, creating structure and building teams that can deliver consistently. The confidence and credibility to operate with clients, consultants, directors and project teams alike. A leadership style that is visible, steady and delivery-focused rather than overly corporate or detached. Why this role stands out A lot of senior positions promise influence, but in reality they still leave you tied to one major problem job or acting as a fixer across schemes that were never set up right in the first place. This role offers something broader and more worthwhile than that. It gives you the opportunity to take a genuine lead across a portfolio of high-profile critical infrastructure projects, while helping shape standards, people and performance across the wider business. If you want a role with seniority, substance and room to make a visible impact, this is the level where that starts.

Senior M&E Construction Manager Camberley Data Centre Permanent or Contract £70,000 - £90,000 + package or £375 - £500 per day This is a role for an M&E Construction Manager who wants to be close to the delivery of a live data centre project. You will be joining a specialist project team delivering complex building services infrastructure in a critical environment. This is not a general construction management role. The focus will be on coordinating mechanical, electrical and specialist services on site, driving subcontractors, maintaining programme and making sure the installation is delivered safely, cleanly and to the right standard. You will need to be comfortable working in a fast-moving environment where drawings, coordination, quality, access, logistics and commissioning requirements all need to be managed properly. What you ll be doing Managing day-to-day M&E construction activity across a live data centre project. Coordinating mechanical, electrical and specialist subcontractors to make sure works are delivered safely, correctly and in line with programme. Driving installation works across areas such as containment, LV distribution, cabling, switchgear, UPS systems, generators, cooling systems, pipework, BMS, fire alarm, security, structured cabling and associated technical infrastructure. Working closely with Project Managers, Engineers, Supervisors, Design Managers, QA teams, commissioning teams and client-side representatives. Managing short-term lookahead programmes, labour planning, workface coordination, RAMS, permits, progress updates and site constraints. Maintaining installation quality through inspections, snagging, QA checks, ITPs, test records and handover information. Helping resolve site issues before they affect programme, cost, quality or commissioning. Supporting the transition from construction into testing, commissioning and project handover. Making sure subcontractors are working safely and that site standards are properly maintained. What you ll need Previous experience as an M&E Construction Manager, Building Services Manager, MEP Manager, Senior Supervisor or Site Manager on technically detailed projects. Strong building services experience, ideally gained with an M&E contractor, data centre specialist, main contractor technical services team or mission critical contractor. Data centre experience would be ideal, but experience on commercial, pharmaceutical, healthcare, life sciences, infrastructure, industrial or other technically complex M&E projects would also be relevant. A good understanding of M&E installation sequencing, drawings, coordination, QA, commissioning requirements and site delivery. The ability to manage subcontractors, drive progress and keep control of multiple work areas at once. Strong communication skills and the confidence to deal with engineers, supervisors, subcontractors, client teams and senior project leadership. SMSTS, CSCS or ECS and First Aid would be expected. Why this role This is a strong opportunity to move onto a data centre project without needing to already be a fully established data centre specialist. You will be involved in a technically demanding environment, working closely with the project team and taking responsibility for making sure the M&E installation is delivered properly on site. For someone with solid building services experience who wants to strengthen their critical environment exposure, this is a good move. Apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation.

Mechanical Pre-Contracts Engineer / Mechanical Design & Estimating Engineer Egham - 70,000 - 110,000 + package This is not a standard estimator position, and it is not a standard design engineer position either. It sits between the two. The role needs someone who can look at a building, understand the existing mechanical services, work out the right solution, develop the design thinking behind it and then help price the work properly. It is technical, commercial and practical in equal measure. The business is a specialist mechanical services contractor delivering HVAC, CAT A, CAT B, fit-out and refurbishment projects across commercial, industrial and public sector environments. They provide design and build mechanical services across heating, ventilation, air conditioning, water, plumbing and sanitary systems, with in-house design capability and practical delivery experience behind it. The company is now looking for a senior mechanical pre-contracts engineer because one of the key people in the business is planning to step back towards the end of 2026. He will still be involved in the background, but the intention is to bring someone in who can take on more of the front-end engineering, surveying, design review, estimating and client-facing technical work over time. This is a proper opportunity to grow into a central role in the business. The company has traded steadily at around 7m- 10m turnover for the last 7-10 years, and typically reviews around 300 opportunities a year, with roughly 30-36 projects won and delivered annually. That gives the role a strong mix of volume, technical variety and genuine influence over what the business chooses to pursue. The work is mainly CAT A, CAT B, student accommodation and retail, with a lot of the value sitting in the early-stage thinking. You will be looking at enquiries, attending surveys, understanding existing buildings, developing mechanical solutions and helping produce a price that reflects the actual scope, risk and buildability of the project. The design offering is based around taking projects from first technical drawings through to final installation, either by developing designs in-house or working from existing drawings, notes and technical specifications. That is exactly why this role needs someone who can operate across both design and estimating rather than sitting in one narrow lane. The estimating side does not need to be perfect from day one. If that is the weaker part of your background, it can be developed. What cannot be missing is the mechanical engineering understanding. You need to know how systems work, how they are installed, what can go wrong on site, and how to spot whether a design or specification is practical before it becomes a problem for the delivery team. You may currently be a mechanical design engineer, pre-contracts engineer, contracts engineer, project engineer or senior estimator. The job title matters less than the way you think. This role needs someone who can understand the technical requirement, challenge it where needed, and help turn it into a buildable, commercially sensible mechanical package. What you will be doing Reviewing mechanical enquiries, drawings, specifications and client requirements. Attending site surveys and understanding existing mechanical services. Developing practical mechanical solutions across heating, ventilation, air conditioning, water and plumbing services. Working across CAT A, CAT B, student accommodation, retail and wider commercial fit-out projects. Supporting the estimating and pricing process, including scope review, supplier engagement and technical clarification. Identifying risks, omissions, design gaps, access issues and buildability concerns before the project reaches site. Working with clients, consultants, suppliers, engineers and project managers through the pre-contract stage. Helping hand projects over properly so the delivery team understands the design intent, scope, risks and pricing assumptions. Working alongside an established internal team of engineers and project managers. What you will need A strong mechanical building services background. Experience in mechanical design, estimating, pre-contracts, project engineering or contracts engineering. A good understanding of mechanical systems on paper and on site. Experience across HVAC, pipework, ventilation, heating, cooling, plant, domestic water or general mechanical infrastructure. The ability to survey buildings, understand what is already installed and develop a suitable solution. Confidence reviewing drawings, specifications and technical information. An HNC, HND or degree in mechanical engineering / building services would be ideal. The ability to deal with clients, consultants, suppliers and internal delivery teams. A practical, commercially aware approach to pre-construction. This would suit someone who wants more influence over how work is won, shaped and handed over. It is a senior role, but not one where you are expected to walk in and simply replace someone overnight. The business wants someone who can grow into the position properly, take ownership over time and become a key part of the pre-contracts function. Interested If this sounds like the right kind of move, please apply with a copy of your CV or get in touch for a confidential conversation. This is a good opportunity for someone who understands mechanical building services and wants to move into a role with more influence at the front end of projects, without being boxed into either pure estimating or pure design.

Electrical Supervisor Welwyn Garden City / Harlow Data Centres Permanent £60,000 - £70,000 If you re an Electrical Supervisor who wants to work on data centre projects without being stuck on one huge site for years, this is a good opportunity to take ownership across a number of technically important schemes. You ll be working across data centre projects in Welwyn Garden City and Harlow, with individual projects around the £1m mark. The work is expected to involve critical electrical infrastructure, white space upgrades, containment, LV power, structured cabling, security systems, controls interfaces, commissioning support and live environment coordination. These are not basic commercial installs. They are fast-moving data centre projects where quality, sequencing, access, safety and communication all need to be controlled properly. The role You ll be responsible for supervising electrical works on site, making sure labour, subcontractors and specialist installers are working safely, efficiently and to the right standard. That means managing day-to-day site activity, checking progress against programme, coordinating materials, raising issues early and supporting the Project Manager with QA, reporting, snagging and handover. You ll be expected to walk the job, understand what is happening on site and keep control of the installation. What you ll be doing Supervising electrical installation works across live data centre environments. Managing electricians, subcontractors and specialist suppliers on site. Coordinating containment, LV distribution, small power, lighting, structured cabling, security systems and controls interfaces. Making sure works are installed to drawings, specifications, RAMS and project standards. Checking progress, reporting issues and supporting short-term lookahead planning. Managing permits, access, logistics, materials and site coordination. Supporting QA checks, snagging, test sheets, commissioning records and handover documentation. Working closely with the Electrical Project Manager, site team, client representatives and other trades. Maintaining high standards around health and safety, housekeeping and quality. Helping drive the job through to completion without letting standards slip. What you ll need You ll need experience supervising electrical works within data centres, commercial fit-out, M&E contracting, critical environments or technically demanding building services projects. Data centre experience would be a strong advantage, but good electrical supervision experience from live or fast-moving projects will still be considered. You should be confident reading drawings, coordinating labour, managing subcontractors and dealing with the practical issues that come up on site. Experience with containment, LV power, structured cabling, security systems, BMS interfaces, testing, commissioning support or live environment works would be useful. You ll ideally hold SSSTS or SMSTS, ECS or CSCS, and have a strong electrical background. The right person You re organised, hands-on and technically sharp. You can manage the site team, keep people moving and spot problems before they become delays. You do not need to be micromanaged. You know how to control a workface, keep standards high and communicate clearly with the Project Manager. You ll suit this role if you want responsibility, variety and exposure to data centre projects where the detail matters. This is a good opportunity for an Electrical Supervisor who wants to work on technically demanding data centre projects with a salary of £60,000 - £70,000 depending on experience. Apply Send your CV or get in touch for a confidential conversation.

Mechanical Project Manager CAT B Fit Out (Central London) Up to £85,000 + travel Permanent 2 3 days hybrid If you re tired of being the person who inherits problems at install stage, this is the role where you own delivery properly from pre-start through commissioning and handover on fast-track CAT B schemes where pace matters and good planning actually gets rewarded. You ll join a well-established design and build building services contractor delivering CAT B commercial fit out projects across Central London, typically up to £1.5m. This is hands-on, multi-project delivery: multiple live jobs, tight programmes, busy interfaces, and the expectation that you can keep quality and commercial control while still getting things built. What you ll do Run projects end-to-end: pre-start, site mobilisation, delivery, commissioning and handover Control programme: short-term lookaheads, progress reporting, sequencing and recovery planning Own procurement and logistics: plant/material orders, deliveries, and working around site constraints Manage labour and subcontractors: productivity, quality checks, coordination and output Drive technical flow: submittals, RFIs, and coordination with design teams where needed Lead meetings and actions: keep interfaces moving and close issues fast across trades Support commercial performance: cost control and variations alongside the commercial team Close out properly: snagging, handover documentation and O&M manuals to a clean finish What you ll need Proven experience delivering CAT B commercial fit out mechanical packages in London A mechanical building services background (time served or academically qualified) Track record managing projects up to £1.5m in a fast-paced environment Strong H&S awareness and solid site delivery best practice Clear communication able to manage multiple stakeholders and keep site aligned Package Up to £85,000 (dependent on experience) Travel 2 3 days hybrid working No additional perks Shortlisting is underway apply quickly to avoid missing out.

MEP Buyer If you are tired of being treated like the person who simply raises orders after everyone else has made the important decisions, this is your chance to have far more influence on how projects are delivered. You understand that buying in building services is not an administrative function. It affects programme, margin, supplier performance and site confidence. The right materials, from the right supplier, on the right terms, at the right time can keep a project moving. The wrong approach creates delays, cost leakage and pressure for delivery teams. This role sits within an established London building services contractor with a long-standing presence in the market, delivering mechanical and electrical installations across fit out, refurbishment, design and build, and full MEP packages. Their work spans commercial offices, data centres, education, healthcare, residential, student accommodation, public sector schemes, and sports and leisure environments. That variety matters. It means you will not be buying against one narrow project type or a repetitive supply chain. You will be supporting live works across fast-paced CAT A and CAT B fit out environments as well as more complex building services installations where coordination, timing and supplier reliability are critical. You will be based in head office, working closely with the directors and supporting Project Managers and Site Managers across multiple live jobs. This is where procurement directly supports delivery. You will negotiate with MEP wholesalers and manufacturers, raise orders for materials and plant, manage supplier relationships, resolve issues before they escalate, and help make sure site teams get what they need without unnecessary disruption. You will be a visible part of the delivery process. The business operates across a broad building services offering, including mechanical, electrical and associated specialist systems, with a strong emphasis on coordinated delivery, technical standards and practical project support. In that kind of environment, buying is not a back-office task. It is part of how projects stay commercially controlled and operationally effective. What you will be doing Negotiating terms, pricing, rebates and early settlement arrangements with MEP wholesalers and manufacturers Raising orders for materials, plant hire and subcontractors across multiple live projects Liaising with suppliers to make sure delivery dates are met and site teams are kept informed Analysing monthly spend and helping improve buying performance across the supply chain Entering price confirmations accurately and feeding revised buying terms back to estimating Managing requisitions, order confirmations, delivery notes and invoice queries properly Taking ownership of supplier issues and seeing them through to resolution Monitoring supplier KPIs and giving regular feedback on performance Maintaining strong commercial confidentiality at all times Why this role stands out This will suit someone who wants to be closer to the commercial and operational heartbeat of a project business. You are not being brought in to sit quietly in the background. You will deal with directors, project teams, wholesalers, manufacturers and suppliers every day. Your work will have a direct effect on how efficiently projects are delivered and how well the business buys across its supply chain. It should also appeal to someone who prefers a more hands-on contractor environment. The structure appears to be one where leadership remains close to delivery, which usually gives a buyer more visibility, more accountability and more opportunity to make a genuine impact than a heavily layered corporate set-up. What they are likely to want from you You will probably already have buying or procurement experience within mechanical, electrical or wider building services contracting. You should be confident negotiating with suppliers, comfortable managing multiple live priorities, and organised enough to keep control of orders, paperwork and communication without needing constant oversight. Just as importantly, you will need sound judgement. This role needs someone commercially aware, dependable and proactive, with the confidence to deal professionally with directors, estimators, project managers, site managers and suppliers. Strong Excel, Word and general office-based administration skills matter, but what will make you effective here is your ability to keep things moving, solve problems properly and protect delivery without creating unnecessary noise. What Next If you are a Buyer in the building services market and you want a role where procurement has genuine impact on project delivery, commercial performance and supplier strategy, this is well worth a conversation. If that sounds like the kind of step you have been looking for, apply today or get in touch for a confidential discussion.