Army HQ Guardian Business Manager

Ministry Of Defence; Aldershot; Hybrid; GBP 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A government defense agency in Aldershot is seeking a Business Manager to drive governance, performance, and compliance frameworks. The role requires strong communication and organizational skills, with opportunities to influence high-profile Defense priorities. The position entails overseeing operations within a complex and nationally significant environment, offering a salary of £36,530 and numerous benefits including a generous pension.

Benefits

25 days annual leave rising to 30 days

Generous pension

Flexible working

Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in governance, performance management, or business planning in a public sector context.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead governance, performance, and risk frameworks for GUARDIAN.
• Oversee compliance and audit activities.
• Manage the reporting cycle for senior leaders.
• Support business management functions and drive efficiency.

Skills

Governance management

Performance management

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspaces will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuring you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently - we expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation. However, recognising the benefits of face to face working, there is an expectation that you would be in the office at least 60% of the time (3 days a week). Be part of a newly created senior Defence headquarters shaping the future of national security!

Headquarters GUARDIAN delivers Security, Policing, Guarding, and UK Resilience operations across Defence - and we're looking for a Business Manager to help us deliver.

In April 2025, HQ GUARDIAN was established combining various policing, security and guarding capabilities into one coherent operation located in Standing Joint Command (SJC) within the Army. GUARDIAN delivers a range of capabilities to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of Defence's critical assets (including people, information, equipment, and infrastructure).

Alongside Security, Policing and Guarding, HQ GUARDIAN is responsible for co-ordinating the Armed Forces support to Civil authorities during national emergencies. It provides military assistance during crises such as national disasters, major incidents, or national security threats.

This role places you at the heart of decision-making, working with senior leaders to keep the organisation running effectively. You'll manage governance and performance frameworks, coordinate reporting and compliance, and lead communications with stakeholders. You'll gain exposure to high-profile Defence priorities, influence strategic planning, and play a direct role in shaping how GUARDIAN operates. It's a chance to develop governance and business management expertise in a unique, complex, and nationally significant environment. Apply today to join GUARDIAN as a Business Manager!

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

In this role, you'll take ownership of key business management functions, driving efficiency and supporting senior leaders to deliver on GUARDIAN's priorities.

Main responsibilities

• Lead the operation and development of GUARDIAN's governance, performance, and risk frameworks
• Oversee compliance, audit, and assurance activities
• Coordinate the preparation and timely submission of parliamentary and regulatory business
• Manage the organisational reporting cycle to provide accurate, insightful information to senior leaders
• Develop and monitor strategic, business, and operational plans
• Drive reform, modernisation, and productivity initiatives across GUARDIAN, Strategic Joint Command, the Army, and Defence
• Lead communications and engagement with stakeholders on key business management matters
• Deliver high-quality organisational and administrative support to the Directors Command Group and the wider Business Management team

Behaviours and assessment

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service

At application you will be asked to provide a CV and a personal statement (500 words max) providing evidence of your suitability for the role against the essential criteria. You will also be assessed against the following behaviours:

• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service

Where a large number of applications are received, an initial sift will be conducted based on the evidence you provide in support of the Delivering at Pace behaviour. Your Personal Statement, CV and Managing a Quality Service behaviour will only be reviewed if you are successful at this initial sift. At interview you will be assessed against the following behaviours:

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed but these will be held online via Microsoft Teams. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Security and eligibility

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: [e-mail].

As a result of changes to UK immigration rules, the MOD will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system where a role is deemed business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. If you require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer withdrawn.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

The MOD requires all successful candidates to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made.

The MOD adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours. Pre-employment checks will be carried out. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security and nationality

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and meet the security requirements (developed vetting). See our vetting charter and baseline personnel security standard. See also nationality requirements which include UK nationals, certain Irish and Commonwealth nationals, and listed EU/EEA nationalities with settled or pre-settled status.

Working for the Civil Service and Diversity

The Civil Service Code sets out expected standards of behaviour. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, and the Civil Service embraces diversity and equal opportunities. We offer Disability Confident Scheme and Redeployment Interview Scheme where applicable. Diversity and inclusion information can be found in Civil Service plan and strategy documents.

Qualifications and experience

• Proven experience in governance, performance management, or business planning in a public sector, Defence, or other large/complex organisation
• Experience of managing risk and reporting processes, with the ability to interpret and present information effectively
• Strong organisational and analytical skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under pressure
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience of stakeholder engagement and relationship management
• Competent in Microsoft Office and other common business applications
• Desirable: Experience of leading or supporting change, reform, or continuous improvement initiatives
• Desirable: Understanding of governance and / or regulatory processes

Benefits

Alongside salary of £36,530, MOD contributes £10,582 towards Civil Service Pension. Benefits include: 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days, generous pension, development opportunities, flexible working, Employee Assistance Programme, parental/adoption leave, volunteering leave, and development schemes. The post does not offer relocation expenses. A six-month probation may apply for external hires. Travel expenses to interviews are not reimbursed. Pay allowances may be reviewed. Family/childcare considerations and related schemes exist.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to a safe and healthy working environment, including a Smoke-Free policy. See local guidance for exemptions where applicable.