Operational Services Manager

Central Bedfordshire Council; Shefford; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Bedfordshire Council is seeking an Operational Service Manager to lead facilities and minor works operations. This role involves ensuring a high-quality service across various locations while managing a diverse property portfolio. Ideal candidates will have expertise in facilities management and a strong customer focus, driving service quality and compliance.

Benefits

Ongoing professional development and training

Agile and flexible working arrangements

Access to a diverse property portfolio

Competitive rewards package

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in large, multi-site organizations.
• Strong expertise in facilities and estates management.
• Proven track record in leading change and managing contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Council’s operational estates and facilities.
• Oversee maintenance management systems and ensure compliance.
• Act as Contract Manager and manage supplier relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Management

Customer Focus

Change Management

Education

Degree in Facilities Management or Estates Management

Job description

Team:FCM – Corporate Facilities
Job Family:Managing - CBG14
Salary:£53,861 - £57,328 per annum pro rata
Hours:37 hours per week
Base Location:You will be expected to attend a CBC office location as often as needed to carry out your role, which will be no less than once per month.You will be required to attend Priory House, Shefford on a weekly basis.
Contract Type:Hybrid –Permanent

About the role

Central Bedfordshire Council is a forward thinking council with a diverse and extensive property portfolio—ranging from commercial premises and farms to libraries, offices, and schools. We are in the midst of transforming how we manage these assets through our Corporate Landlord model—a strategic and fully integrated approach to facilities and estates management.

This is an exciting time to join us as we shape a modern, efficient, and customer-focused service.

We are looking for a confident and experienced leader to take day to day charge of our property, facilities, and minor works operations—bringing these key functions together into a unified, forward-thinking service.

AsOperational Service Manager, you’ll be responsible for delivering a consistent, high-quality service across all our locations. You’ll lead teams covering Estates, Maintenance, Facilities, and Minor Works—ensuring our buildings are safe, legally compliant, well-maintained, and aligned with strategic goals.

This is a fast-paced, high-impact role that sits at the heart of our Corporate Landlord model. You will act as the primary link between internal stakeholders, external contractors, and service providers—ensuring that our sites are not only operationally sound, but also future-ready.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Council’s Operational estates, facilities, maintenance, and minor works.
• Oversee a robust maintenance management system (planned and reactive), ensuring operational compliance and strategic delivery.
• Manage cleaning, security, and maintenance services—leading procurement, contractor performance, and value-for-money evaluations.
• Act as Contract Manager with responsibility for contract governance, supplier relationships, and performance outcomes.
• Oversee investment planning and minor works across our estate, including upgrades, repairs, and compliance with lease obligations.
• Identify service-wide objectives, manage risk, and ensure the development and performance of your teams.
• Support the Head of Asset Management in embedding the Corporate Landlord approach across the Council.
• Deputise for the Head of Asset Management.

What We’re Looking For

• A degree-qualified professional in Facilities or Estates Management with substantial experience in large, multi-site organisations.
• Strong expertise in both Facilities and Estates Management - including lease and landlord-tenant knowledge.
• Proven track record in leading change, managing high-value contracts, and driving service innovation.
• Exceptional financial management skills to oversee a multi-million-pound service.
• Strong customer focus and ability to balance operational delivery with strategic oversight.
• Experience in people leadership, performance development, and team management.
• A proactive, flexible approach and willingness to participate in an out-of-hours on-call rota.

Why Join Us?

• This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in shaping a modern, forward-thinking Corporate Landlord service. You’ll have access to:
  • A diverse and interesting property portfolio.
  • Opportunities to innovate and challenge the status quo.
  • Ongoing professional development and training.
  • Agile and flexible working arrangements.
  • A competitive rewards package and a supportive team environment.

At Central Bedfordshire Council, we’re committed to making our area agreat place to live and work. If you are passionate about building safety, compliance, and making a real difference, we would love to hear from you.

Our Offer

We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff, to view these please visit ourRewards and Benefits page.

Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer. We welcome discussion on location, hours and working pattern as part of the application process.

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You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet the key accountabilities and competencies in thisRecruitment Pack.

OurCompetency Framework and Qualification Guidanceare to be read in conjunction with our Recruitment Pack.

For an informal discussion about this position, please contact:Gavin Coombs at [e-mail] or call 0300 300 4656

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To maintain a fair and consistent approach for applicants,it isCentral Bedfordshire Council'spolicy to only consider applications madevia our online applicationsystem and we therefore thank you for not submitting your application offline.

Our National Careers Service team offer a free monthly workshop covering CV writing and how to complete the statement sections of the Central Bedfordshire Council online application form. This MS Teams workshop is open to anyone from the UK and lasts around 1.5 hours.Please book your place here.

More information about this service can be found here:Support getting into work or learning | Central Bedfordshire Council

Closing Date:23rd July 2025

Interview Date:28th July 2025