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Technical Services Director – AOV & Smoke ControlSalary: £70,000 – £80,000 (Neg) + Performance Bonus + Comprehensive Management Package
Location: South Eastern UK based with National Operational Coverage
(Hybrid / Field Based)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
The Opportunity
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced commercially minded Technical Services Director to join an established and growing specialist within the life safety and building services sector.
This is a senior leadership position responsible for shaping and driving the company’s technical strategy across AOV (Automatic Opening Vent) and Smoke Control systems. Working closely with the Managing Director and senior leadership team, you will lead the technical function, provide expert guidance across the business, support commercial growth and ensure technical excellence is maintained throughout every stage of project delivery.
This role is suited to a recognised industry specialist who possesses 10+ years’ experience within the AOV and Smoke Control sector and is regarded as a trusted technical authority by clients, manufacturers and industry professionals.
The Role
As Technical Services Director, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all technical aspects of the business.
You will oversee technical standards, support major client relationships, develop engineering capability and ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and industry standards, whilst identifying opportunities for business growth.
The position combines technical leadership, commercial awareness and business development, making it ideal for an individual looking to influence the future direction of a growing specialist organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership
- Act as the company’s recognised technical authority for AOV and Smoke Control systems.
- Define and maintain technical standards across design, installation, commissioning and maintenance.
- Ensure all engineering solutions comply with current legislation, British Standards and fire safety guidance.
- Provide technical leadership on complex projects and specialist applications.
- Review and approve technical designs, specifications and engineering solutions.
Strategic Business Development
- Support the continued growth of the business through technical consultancy and client engagement.
- Identify opportunities for remedial works, refurbishment programmes and lifecycle replacement projects.
- Work alongside the commercial team to develop technical solutions for major bids and tenders.
- Provide strategic input into new services, technologies and market opportunities.
Client & Industry Engagement
- Develop long-term relationships with FM providers, consultants, developers, principal contractors and end users.
- Represent the business during technical meetings, presentations and project reviews.
- Provide expert guidance on fire strategies, smoke control compliance and lifecycle planning.
- Act as the senior escalation point for complex technical matters.
Technical Governance
- Ensure consistency across all technical documentation, quotations and engineering proposals.
- Review system designs, cause & effect matrices and commissioning strategies.
- Drive continual improvement across engineering processes and technical delivery.
- Monitor industry developments and implement best practice throughout the business.
Leadership & Team Development
- Mentor and develop Technical Service Managers, Design Engineers and Field Engineers.
- Build a high-performing technical team through coaching and professional development.
- Support recruitment, succession planning and technical competency frameworks.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation and engineering excellence.
Commercial Support
- Support pricing strategies for complex projects and major upgrade programmes.
- Review technical quotations and ensure commercially robust engineering solutions.
- Work with operational teams to ensure successful project mobilisation and delivery.
- Contribute towards annual business planning and revenue growth.
What We’re Looking For
Essential Experience
- Minimum 10 years’ specialist experience within the AOV and Smoke Control industry.
- Proven experience operating within a senior technical leadership role.
- Extensive knowledge of smoke ventilation systems across commercial, residential and mixed-use developments.
- Strong understanding of both natural and mechanical smoke control systems.
- Experience supporting business growth through technical consultancy and client engagement.
- Previous leadership experience managing engineering or technical teams.
Technical Knowledge
Demonstrable expertise across:
- Automatic Opening Vent (AOV) Systems
- Smoke Control Systems
- Motorised Smoke Dampers
- Smoke Ventilation Controls
- Fire Strategy Documents
- Cause & Effect Programming
- EN12101 Standards
- BS 9991
- BS 9999
- Building Regulations Approved Document B
- System Commissioning
- Lifecycle Replacement Programmes
- Planned Preventative Maintenance
- Compliance Audits
Experience with leading manufacturers such as:
- SE Controls
- Colt
- Actionair
- Advanced Air
- SCS
- WindowMaster
- D+H
- Gilberts
- TROX (desirable)
Leadership Attributes
We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate:
- Exceptional technical credibility.
- Strategic thinking and commercial awareness.
- Inspirational leadership skills.
- Strong client relationship management.
- Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
- A collaborative leadership style.
- A passion for engineering excellence and continual improvement.
What Success Looks Like
- Recognised as the company’s technical authority.
- Continued growth of technical service revenue.
- Increased client retention through technical excellence.
- Development of a highly capable engineering team.
- Successful delivery of complex smoke control projects.
- Improved technical governance and compliance.
- Strong relationships with clients, consultants and manufacturers.
- Contribution towards the company’s long-term growth strategy.
What’s on Offer
- £70,000 – £80,000 Basic Salary
- Performance Related Bonus
- Comprehensive Management Package
- Company Car or Car Allowance
- Pension Scheme
- 25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays
- Ongoing Professional Development
- Senior Leadership Position
- Opportunity to shape the technical direction of a market-leading specialist business
- Long-term career progression into Executive Leadership