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.
Responsibilities
* Lead comprehensive hard services programs for pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, including HVAC systems, cleanroom environments, controlled atmospheres, and critical utility systems to ensure 99.9%+ uptime for production operations
* 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
* Manage emergency response protocols for critical building system failures, coordinating rapid resolution of issues affecting cleanroom classifications, environmental controls, and manufacturing-critical infrastructure with minimal production impact
* 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
* 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
Qualifications
* Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Facilities Management, or related technical discipline
* 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
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, UPS systems, critical power distribution, and energy management
* Plumbing & Process Utilities: including purified water systems, compressed air, steam, and waste management systems
* Fire Safety: life protection systems specific to pharmaceutical manufacturing environments
* Technology & Software: Proficiency with CMMS (Maximo, SAP PM, or similar), Building Automation/ Management Systems, Microsoft Office, 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
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