Hard Services Lead

Hard Services Lead - JLL Life Sciences 

Large-Scale Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Facility, Ireland 

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 

• 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 

Essential 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 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