Office Manager

GKN Aerospace; Luton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company in Luton is searching for an Office Manager to ensure smooth operations at its headquarters. This multifaceted role involves high-level administrative support for executives, managing office facilities, and fostering a positive workplace culture. Successful candidates will show exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage confidential information. This position requires onsite presence five days a week and offers competitive benefits including a pension scheme, vacation, and more.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Industry Leading Pension Scheme

Life Assurance

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Income protection

Shopping discounts

Cycle To Work Scheme

Virtual GP Clinic

Qualifications

• Proven experience in office management and executive support.
• Excellent multitasking and time management skills.
• Knowledge of health, safety, and environmental compliance.

Responsibilities

• Manage reception and front-of-house services.
• Coordinate travel and accommodation for executives.
• Oversee compliance with health and safety standards.

Skills

MS Office applications proficiency

Organizational skills

Vendor management

Confidentiality handling

Strong communication skills

Job description

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets 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.

Job Summary

We are looking for an Office Manager to join our sociable lively team to 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 8.00am -5.00pm

How You'll Contribute

The Office Manager will contribute to the following :

• 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 offboarding processes, including workspace and systems setup
• 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

What You'll Bring

To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and expertise / talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes :

Essential

• 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

What We'll Offer

• 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 x salary
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work SchemeEmployee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment

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. And 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’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We arethe place where human dreams, plus humanendeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.