Facilities Maintenance Manager

Role overview

This position is responsible for directing all maintenance and engineering activity across the hospital’s buildings, plant, and infrastructure. The aim is to keep the environment safe, compliant, and dependable so that clinical and non-clinical services can run without interruption. The role covers preventive and corrective maintenance for MEP systems, HVAC, medical gas, fire and life safety systems, elevators, utilities, and building fabric, while meeting UAE regulatory requirements and accreditation expectations such as JCI.

What you will do

• Lead the full maintenance function and ensure critical hospital systems remain available, safe, and reliable for patient care.
• Create and roll out maintenance strategies, yearly plans, policies, and SOPs that match organisational goals, regulations, and accreditation standards.
• Coordinate effectively between internal teams and outsourced vendors to maintain consistent service quality.
• Support sustainable practices in facilities management and infrastructure projects.
• Oversee daily maintenance for MEP, HVAC, medical gas, elevators, fire and life safety systems, utilities, and building fabric.
• Run preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs based on manufacturer guidance and hospital requirements.
• Ensure quick handling of maintenance requests, faults, and emergency breakdowns to reduce disruption.
• Manage the CMMS for work order tracking, asset control, and performance reporting.
• Maintain control of critical spare parts, tools, and inventory with Procurement and Supply Chain.
• Ensure compliance with UAE statutory and regulatory requirements, including DHA, DOH, MOHAP, Civil Defense, and Municipality rules.
• Support readiness for audits and accreditation reviews, including JCI and other facilities-related standards.
• Oversee fire and life safety systems, emergency power, and utility continuity, including testing, records, and corrective actions.
• Take part in Safety, Infection Control, Environment of Care, and Quality committees and address maintenance-related risks.
• Plan and supervise maintenance projects, renovations, and upgrades while limiting impact on clinical operations.
• Review drawings, specifications, and method statements to confirm compliance with hospital standards and codes.
• Work with consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders to deliver safe, high-quality work on time.
• Prepare and manage the annual maintenance and utilities budget and monitor spending closely.
• Identify savings opportunities, energy-efficiency improvements, and lifecycle planning needs for major assets.
• Handle service contracts, SLAs, and KPIs for vendors and specialist service providers.
• Support technical evaluations, tender reviews, and vendor performance reviews with Procurement and Finance.
• Lead, supervise, and develop supervisors, technicians, and skilled trades staff.
• Ensure sufficient staffing, shift coverage, and on-call support for 24/7 operations.
• Set performance goals, conduct appraisals, and maintain training and competency plans.
• Build a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Define KPIs such as response time, preventive maintenance compliance, and equipment uptime, then monitor them regularly.
• Prepare reports on maintenance work, risks, incidents, utilities consumption, and project progress for senior leadership.
• Investigate recurring failures and put corrective and preventive actions in place.
• Serve as the main contact for clinical and non-clinical departments on maintenance matters.
• Collaborate with Biomedical Engineering, IT, Safety, Infection Control, Housekeeping, and Security for integrated facilities operations.
• Communicate planned works, shutdowns, and service interruptions in advance to impacted stakeholders.
• Keep up to date with developments in hospital facilities management, engineering practices, and relevant technologies.
• Carry out additional related duties as assigned within the scope of the role.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• NEBOSH, IOSH, or an equivalent health and safety qualification is preferred.
• CFM or a similar facility management certification is preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressive experience in facilities or maintenance management within large and complex environments.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a hospital or healthcare setting.
• At least 3 years in a supervisory or managerial position.
• Strong understanding of hospital building systems, including MEP, HVAC, medical gas, fire and life safety, elevators, and utilities.
• Knowledge of UAE healthcare regulations, statutory codes, and international accreditation requirements such as JCI.
• Experience with preventive maintenance practices, CMMS, risk management, and emergency preparedness.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage outsourced service providers.
• Background in maintenance planning, project coordination, budgeting, and contract management.
• Ability to analyse technical issues, prepare reports, and communicate clearly with stakeholders.
• Competence with CMMS and Microsoft Office tools.
• Ability to manage several priorities in a demanding hospital environment.
• Capability to respond to emergencies and reduce service interruptions.
• Ability to work effectively with clinical, operational, and support teams.
• Strong English communication skills; Arabic is preferred.

Additional information

This role sits within a high-acuity healthcare environment and supports 24/7 hospital operations. The position requires close coordination across clinical, operational, safety, infection control, and support functions to maintain uninterrupted service delivery and a compliant, patient-safe facility.