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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

Location:

On-site –Kildare, IRL

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements. We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!

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Hard Services Lead

Job Description