Operations Manager - (PAS) Defence

Water Corporation; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Ventia in Australia is seeking a Base Operations Manager to drive Property & Asset Services delivery across RAAF Williams and Melbourne Defence sites. You will oversee maintenance operations, safety performance and customer outcomes, reporting to the PAS State Operations Manager.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team of maintenance and grounds professionals, manage budgets and contracts, and build strong stakeholder relationships with Defence partners to achieve exceptional operational results.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a similar operational leadership role.
• Experience within Defence, facilities management, infrastructure or other complex operating environments.
• Proven leadership experience managing large, geographically dispersed teams.
• Strong understanding of WHS legislation and safety management systems.
• Experience managing financial performance, budgets and operational transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated success delivering critical business outcomes and operational KPIs.
• Strong commercial acumen and contract compliance experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a large technical maintenance workforce.
• Maintain accountability for maintenance delivery and asset performance.
• Manage geographically dispersed operational teams.
• Deliver productivity, performance and financial KPIs.
• Ensure compliance with Defence contractual requirements and legislative obligations.
• Drive innovation, digital transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage subcontractor performance and service delivery standards.
• Lead audit activities and governance requirements.
• Contribute to annual business planning and strategic initiatives.
• Ensure all commercial and claimable opportunities are effectively managed.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Defence stakeholders.
• Respond to critical incidents and escalation requirements, including after-hours support.
• Support workforce planning, succession planning and talent development.
• Lead performance management and employee development initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Defence sector experience

Facilities management

WHS knowledge

Budgeting

Contract compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Base Operations Manager (Property & Asset Services)

Drive Operational Excellence Across a Critical Defence Environment

Ventia is seeking an experienced Base Operations Manager to lead the delivery of Property & Asset Services (PAS) across RAAF Williams and Melbourne Metropolitan Defence sites. This is a senior leadership opportunity responsible for overseeing maintenance operations, safety performance, customer outcomes, commercial compliance, and workforce leadership within a complex and highly regulated Defence environment.

Reporting to the PAS State Operations Manager, you will lead a multidisciplinary team of maintenance and grounds professionals while working closely with Defence stakeholders to deliver exceptional operational outcomes.

About the Role

As the Base Operations Manager, you will have overall responsibility for maintenance and operational service delivery across Defence sites within your portfolio.

You will drive a strong safety culture, lead operational performance, manage financial and contractual obligations, and build high-performing teams capable of delivering exceptional customer outcomes.

This role requires an innovative and commercially minded leader with a strong background in complex operational environments and stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a large technical maintenance workforce
• Maintain accountability for maintenance delivery and asset performance
• Manage geographically dispersed operational teams
• Deliver productivity, performance and financial KPIs
• Ensure compliance with Defence contractual requirements and legislative obligations
• Drive innovation, digital transformation and continuous improvement initiatives
• Manage subcontractor performance and service delivery standards
• Lead audit activities and governance requirements
• Contribute to annual business planning and strategic initiatives
• Ensure all commercial and claimable opportunities are effectively managed
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Defence stakeholders
• Respond to critical incidents and escalation requirements, including after-hours support
• Support workforce planning, succession planning and talent development
• Lead performance management and employee development initiatives

About You

To be successful, you will demonstrate:

• Extensive experience in a similar operational leadership role
• Experience within Defence, facilities management, infrastructure, maintenance, utilities or other complex operational environments
• Proven leadership experience managing large and geographically dispersed teams
• Strong understanding of WHS legislation and safety management systems
• Experience managing financial performance, budgets and operational transformation initiatives
• Demonstrated success delivering critical business outcomes and operational KPIs
• Strong commercial acumen and contract compliance experience

Exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication skills

Security Requirements

Due to the nature of this role, applicants must:

• Be an Australian Citizen
• Hold, or be eligible to obtain, a Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1) Defence Security Clearance
• Maintain ongoing access to the Defence Protected Environment

About VentiaAs 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.