Position Summary  

The Hard Services Lead is a strategic, mission-critical role responsible for ensuring the operational excellence and regulatory compliance of a large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing facility's building infrastructure. This position directly impacts the production of life-saving medications and medical devices by maintaining critical building systems, cleanroom environments, and controlled atmospheres that meet stringent FDA, EMA, and HPRA standards. As a key leader within JLL Life Sciences' operations team, you will drive facility uptime, ensure regulatory compliance, and optimize maintenance operations for one of Ireland's premier pharmaceutical manufacturing sites.  

Key Responsibilities  

• Own PPM compliance programme targeting 100% on-time completion within the Facilities Planning Group scope, managing approximately 2,000 PM and 5,000 CM work orders annually 

• Manage backlog within permitted limits (<100 days for non-GMP, <30 days for GMP systems) with escalation protocols for at-risk work activities 

• Develop, implement, and continuously optimize preventive maintenance strategies using risk-based methodologies, ensuring all building systems support GMP/GDP compliance and minimize unplanned downtime that could impact drug production  

• Oversee vendor management and contractor coordination for specialized pharmaceutical facility services, including qualification of suppliers, performance monitoring, and ensuring all external maintenance activities meet life sciences regulatory requirements  

• Ensure strict adherence to regulatory compliance standards (FDA, EMA, HPRA) through meticulous documentation, validation of building system performance, and maintenance of qualification status for all facility infrastructure supporting drug manufacturing  

• Lead annual budget planning and cost optimization initiatives for building maintenance operations, developing strategic spending plans that balance regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and capital expenditure requirements while achieving cost targets  

• Champion health & safety excellence by conducting comprehensive risk assessments, implementing safety protocols for maintenance activities in pharmaceutical environments, and ensuring team compliance with both JLL and client safety standards  

• Maintain detailed documentation and reporting systems including maintenance records, compliance audits, system performance metrics, and regulatory inspection readiness documentation to support FDA/EMA inspections and internal quality reviews  

• Compile and present weekly deep dive reports, produce monthly dashboard reports and produce Identify opportunities for improvement and develop action plans for off-track metrics  

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Production, Quality Assurance, Engineering, and Regulatory Affairs teams to align building maintenance activities with manufacturing schedules and regulatory requirements  

• Lead and develop a high-performing maintenance team through coaching, training, and performance management while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and regulatory excellence  

• Manage capital improvement projects for building infrastructure upgrades, ensuring projects meet pharmaceutical design standards, regulatory requirements, and are delivered on time and within budget  

• Conduct regular facility condition assessments and develop long-term building maintenance strategies that anticipate equipment lifecycle needs and support facility expansion or modernization plans  

• Maintain full audit readiness and support timely response to audit recommendations through stakeholder collaboration 

Essential Qualifications  

Education:   

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Facilities Management, or related technical / trade qualification   

• Experience:  

• Minimum 7-10 years of building maintenance experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device manufacturing environments   

• 5+ years of leadership experience managing maintenance teams in regulated life sciences facilities   

• Proven track record supporting FDA, EMA, or HPRA regulatory inspections and compliance audits  

Regulatory & Industry Knowledge:   

• Deep understanding of Irish building regulations, EU pharmaceutical regulations, and international GMP/GDP standards   

• Experience with cleanroom classifications (ISO 14644), controlled environments, and critical utility systems  

•  Knowledge of ISPE (International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering) guidelines and industry best practices  

• Proven track record managing PPM programmes and driving PM:CM ratio improvement 

• Vendor management and contractor coordination experience in regulated environments 

Certifications (Preferred):   

• Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)   

• Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent   

• Irish Safe Pass certification   

• HVAC/refrigeration technician certifications  

Technical Skills  

• Building Systems Expertise:   

• Advanced knowledge of pharmaceutical-grade HVAC systems, including air handling units, cleanroom pressurization, temperature/humidity control, and filtration systems   

• Electrical systems management including emergency power and energy management   

• Plumbing and process utilities including purified water systems, compressed air, steam, and waste management systems   

• Fire safety and life protection systems specific to pharmaceutical manufacturing environments  

• Technology & Software:   

• Proficiency with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) such as Maximo, SAP PM, or similar platforms   

• Building automation systems (BAS) and building management systems (BMS) operation and troubleshooting   

• Microsoft Office Suite, project management software, and data analysis tools   

• CAD software for facility drawings and maintenance documentation  

Project Management:   

• Experience managing complex maintenance projects from planning through execution   

• Budget management and financial analysis capabilities   

• Change management and process improvement methodologies   

• Vendor negotiation and contract management skills  

Essential Soft Skills  

Leadership Excellence:   

• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop cross-functional maintenance teams in fast-paced pharmaceutical environments   

• Strong coaching and mentoring skills with focus on building technical capabilities and regulatory awareness  

Communication & Collaboration:   

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with ability to present complex technical information to diverse stakeholders   

• Experience interfacing with senior leadership, regulatory agencies, and external auditors   

• Collaborative approach to working with Production, Quality, Engineering, and external vendor teams  

Problem-Solving & Decision-Making:  

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with ability to troubleshoot complex building system issues under pressure   

• Data-driven decision-making approach with focus on root cause analysis and continuous improvement   

• Ability to balance competing priorities while maintaining focus on patient safety and product quality  

Regulatory Mindset:   

• Meticulous attention to detail with understanding that maintenance activities directly impact patient safety   

• Strong documentation discipline and commitment to maintaining detailed, audit-ready records