Office Manager

GKN Aerospace Services Limited; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company in Birmingham is looking for an Office Manager to ensure smooth operations in their corporate headquarters. The role includes managing reception and front-of-house services, providing high-level administrative support, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. Candidates should have significant experience in office management and a strong proficiency in MS Office. Benefits include a competitive salary and a dynamic work environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary based on experience

Industry leading pension scheme

Life assurance 8× salary

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Virtual GP clinic access

Qualifications

• Proven experience in office management and executive support.
• Exceptional organisational and multitasking skills.
• Ability to foster an inclusive workplace culture.

Responsibilities

• Manage reception and front-of-house services for a professional environment.
• Coordinate complex diary management and travel for executives.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety standards.

Skills

Office management experience

Strong proficiency in MS Office

Excellent organisational skills

Professional communication abilities

Vendor management

Knowledge of HSE compliance

Discretion in handling confidential information

Adaptability and solutions-focused

Education

Professional qualification in administration or office management

Job description

We are looking for an Office Manager to join our sociable, lively team and work in our vibrant office environment. The Office Manager / Front of House / Executive Assistant is central to the smooth and professional operation of our Birmingham Corporate Headquarters. This multifaceted role ensures a welcoming environment for all staff and visitors, combining high‑level administrative support to senior leadership with responsibility for office facilities, health and safety, and front‑of‑house services. The postholder acts as a trusted point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, managing office operations, vendor relationships, and compliance with company policies. Supporting two senior executives, the role includes complex diary management, travel coordination, and confidential administrative tasks. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to foster a positive, inclusive workplace culture. This is a highly visible position requiring discretion, adaptability, and a proactive approach to both day‑to‑day operations and strategic initiatives. The Office Manager will be required to be on site five days per week from 8.00 am – 5.00 pm.

How you'll contribute

• Manage reception and front‑of‑house services, ensuring a professional and welcoming environment
• Act as the first point of contact for visitors, clients, and contractors
• Oversee office entrance control, security badge management, and parking allocations
• Coordinate visitor access, meeting room bookings, and hospitality requirements
• Provide comprehensive diary management and meeting coordination for two senior executives
• Arrange domestic and international travel, accommodation, and itineraries for executives
• Assist in preparation of annual report
• Manage office supplies, procurement, and relationships with vendors and service providers
• Oversee contracts for cleaning, catering, equipment, and other office services
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental (HSE) standards, including fire safety and PAT testing
• Conduct regular office inspections and address maintenance or facility issues promptly
• Liaise with building management, IT, and contractors for maintenance and security protocols
• Coordinate onboarding and off‑boarding processes, including workspace and systems set‑up
• Maintain filing systems, databases, and office records, including archives
• Support internal communications, manage office distribution lists, and update SharePoint sites
• Organise internal events, team‑building activities, and leadership off‑sites
• Handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and efficient workplace culture aligned with organisational values

Qualifications

• Proven experience in office management, executive support, and front‑of‑house roles
• Strong proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Excellent organisational, time‑management, and multitasking skills
• Professional communication and interpersonal abilities
• Experience managing vendors, contracts, and office budgets
• Knowledge of HSE compliance and office safety standards
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
• Proactive, adaptable, and solutions‑focused approach

Desirable

• Experience in facilities management and vendor coordination
• Familiarity with visitor management systems and travel booking platforms
• Event coordination experience
• Understanding of GDPR and data protection principles
• Professional qualification in administration, facilities, or office management
• Experience supporting multiple senior leaders in a corporate HQ environment

Benefits

• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme – we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life Assurance 8 × salary
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment

About GKN Aerospace

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity set the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. With some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go? A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working. Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work. We are also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process; if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage of our recruitment process please let us know. We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.