Utilities Manager

UTILITIES MANAGER

Location:

DA15 Hendon / Sidcup
£440 per day
Report to the Head of Environment and Sustainability The Utilities Manager is the key point of expertise for utilities management within the Property Services Directorate (PSD). The role is responsible for both strategic and day-to-day operational management of utilities (energy and water) across an estate of approximately 300 properties, with an annual budget of around £30m. This includes managing supplier relationships, validating and approving invoices, ensuring continuity of supply, and supporting statutory and voluntary energy/carbon reporting.

The Utilities Manager not only plays a critical role in ensuring continuity of utilities supply but also achieving cost efficiencies and supporting carbon reduction objectives across the estate.

The post holder will work closely with internal stakeholders (Finance, Commercial, Estates Management) and external suppliers to ensure effective contract management, accurate billing, and compliance with governance requirements.

Scope

Manage utilities contracts and supplier relationships, ensuring compliance with SLAs and resolution of complex queries promptly, ensuring high standards of customer service. This includes maintaining the relationship with Government Procurement Services (GPS) who are responsible for buying energy and managing the energy utilities framework, as well as the various energy and water suppliers.
Oversee validation and approval of all utilities invoices (electricity, gas, water, fuel oil) and ensuring processes are in place to ensure the quality and completeness of records in the TEAM Sigma system to avoid additional charges and prevent disconnection.
Provide business performance reports, forecasts, and budgetary input to senior management and support budget development, accruals, and variance analysis in collaboration with Finance.
Ensure continuity of supply across the estate and manage costs effectively and prevent disconnection through proactive management of payments and disputes and maintaining strategic stakeholder relationships.
Support energy/carbon reporting requirements by ensuring accurate data capture and system integrity.
Drive continuous improvement and process re-engineering to achieve efficiencies and cost savings and operational resilience.
Liaise with internal teams and suppliers to align utilities management with estate changes (acquisitions/disposals).Experience and Qualifications

Detailed knowledge of utilities and energy management, including contract frameworks, supplier management, consumption analysis, and billing validation.
Strong understanding of financial processes (budgeting, accruals, forecasting) and purchase order systems.
Experience in supplier negotiation and relationship management.
Proven ability to analyse complex data and produce accurate reports.
Significant experience managing small teams and high-volume invoice processing.
Desirable: NVQ or equivalent in accountancy or business-related subject.
Desirable:
Knowledge of MPS estate and governance processes.

Personal Specification

Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
Well-developed written and verbal communication skills for reporting to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Resilient, proactive, and able to manage competing priorities