Lws Base Operations Manager

Ventia; Katherine; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Lead diverse Defence support services

Operate large teams

Career progression in national ASX‑tr

Defence sector exposure

Stakeholder engagement

Job summary

Ventia is seeking a Base Operations Manager to lead Living & Working Services across RAAF Tindal, NT, delivering safe, efficient, and contract-compliant service delivery.

You will manage hospitality, accommodation, cleaning, transport and more, shaping performance, sustaining the workforce, and building strong Defence relationships while driving commercial outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience leading large facilities/services teams.
• Strong financial management incl. P&L accountability.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Experience managing multiple service streams and subcontractors.
• Proven ability to build high-performing teams and develop leaders.
• Strong safety leadership and risk management experience.
• Experience with Large-scale Service Delivery Contracts.

Responsibilities

• Leading multi-disciplinary teams across hospitality, cleaning, accommodation, laundry, transport and fitness services.
• Managing safety, compliance, financial performance and operational risk.
• Driving continuous improvement and service innovation.
• Overseeing workforce planning, rostering and resource allocation.
• Maintaining strong relationships with Defence personnel and key stakeholders.
• Managing P&L outcomes and contract performance.
• Leading operational readiness activities, major exercises and surge support requirements.

Skills

Operational leadership

Facilities services

P&L accountability

Stakeholder management

Contract management

Safety leadership

Team development

Service delivery contracts

Education

Tertiary qualification in Business/Facilities Management/Hospitality/Logistics

Job description

Lead Essential Services That Support Australia's Defence Force

Make an impact where it matters most.

Ventia has an opportunity for a driven Base Operations Manager to lead the delivery of critical Living & Working Services across RAAF Tindal, NT. This is a rare opportunity to manage diverse operational services, lead high-performing teams, and play a key role in supporting the Australian Defence Force's daily operations.

From hospitality and catering to accommodation, cleaning, transport, fitness centres and pest control, you'll oversee integrated service delivery that directly contributes to Defence capability while driving safety, performance and customer excellence.

What's on Offer

• Lead a diverse portfolio of essential Defence support services
• Manage large operational teams and drive business performance
• Join Australia's largest Defence services provider
• Career progression within a national ASX-listed organisation
• Work in a role that combines operational leadership, commercial management and stakeholder engagement

About the Role

Reporting to the LWS State Operations Manager, you'll be responsible for the operational leadership of a Defence Base and associated sites, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with contractual requirements.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading multi-disciplinary teams across hospitality, cleaning, accommodation, laundry, transport and fitness services
• Managing safety, compliance, financial performance and operational risk
• Driving continuous improvement and service innovation
• Overseeing workforce planning, rostering and resource allocation
• Maintaining strong relationships with Defence personnel and key stakeholders
• Managing P&L outcomes and contract performance
• Leading operational readiness activities, major exercises and surge support requirements

About You

You are an experienced operations leader with a strong customer focus and a proven track record of delivering results in complex service environments.

You'll bring:

• Experience leading large operational or facilities services teams
• Strong commercial and financial management skills, including P&L accountability
• Exceptional stakeholder management and customer engagement capabilities
• Experience managing multiple service streams and subcontractors
• Demonstrated success building high-performing teams and developing leaders
• Strong safety leadership and risk management experience
• Experience in Large-scale Service Delivery Contracts

To Be Successful

You will hold tertiary qualifications in Business, Facilities Management, Hospitality, Logistics or a related discipline and have at least three years' experience in an operational management role within a service-based environment.

As this role supports Defence operations, applicants must be Australian Citizens and be eligible to obtain and maintain a Defence Security Clearance.

About Ventia

As a leading services provider, we maintain, operate, and manage the essential infrastructure that makes modern life possible across Australia and New Zealand. With more than 35,000 employees and subcontractors across 400 sites, joining Ventia means becoming part of a team that values its people, supports career growth, and helps everyone go further towards their full potential.

Our commitment to Fairness, Inclusion and Respect shapes how we lead, collaborate, hire and support one another. We welcome applications from people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all genders, identities, sexual orientations, beliefs and caring responsibilities. We are dedicated to providing an accessible recruitment process and encourage you to request adjustments at any stage.

Position Reference Number: 169359