Operations Manager - Estate Services

LiveWest; Weston-super-Mare; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Generous annual leave

Pension contributions

Health benefits and perks

Learning & development

Family support

Wellbeing support

Cycle to Work

Volunteer days

Job summary

LiveWest is seeking an Operations Manager - Estate Services to lead regional teams across the South West. You’ll oversee in-house and contracted services, focus on safety, customer satisfaction and value for money, and partner with the Head of Estate Management on strategic delivery.

You will manage grounds maintenance, cleaning, waste and car park operations, while driving continuous improvement and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience leading regional or multi-site teams.
• Proven ability to manage operational services through direct teams and contractors.
• Track record of improving performance and customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Estate Services teams to deliver excellent customer service.
• Manage operational and financial performance, ensuring value for money.
• Oversee estate services delivery including grounds, cleaning, waste and car parks.
• Procure and manage large-scale contracts (circa £800k) and drive contractor performance.
• Ensure health and safety across communal areas and rotate on-call duties.

Skills

Team leadership

Operations management

Contractor management

Customer focus

Health & safety

Estate services knowledge

Education

Level 3 - Manager/Specialist

Full UK driving licence

Job description

About The Role

As an Operations Manager within our Estate Services team, you'll provide strong operational leadership to help deliver our vision of being Proud to deliver Cleaner, Greener places for Everyone. This is a key leadership role within a newly formed team, where you'll shape, develop and embed high-quality estate services across our communities in the South West of England.

You’ll lead and develop a regional Estate Services team, working closely with another Operations Manager covering Devon and Cornwall, and collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders across the business. With responsibility for both in‑house teams and contractors, you’ll focus on safety, customer satisfaction, value for money and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing Estate Services teams to deliver excellent customer service across our estates.
• Managing operational and financial performance, ensuring value for money and high standards.
• Overseeing estate services delivery, including grounds maintenance, communal cleaning, waste and car park management.
• Procuring and managing large-scale contracts (circa £800k) and driving strong contractor performance.
• Ensuring effective health and safety management across communal areas.
• Working collaboratively across the business and deputising for the Head of Estate Management when required, including participation in a Tier 2 out-of-hours rota.

Why should I join LiveWest?

At LiveWest, you’ll be part of an organisation that is committed to making a positive difference for our customers and communities. You’ll have the opportunity to shape a growing service, lead engaged teams and see the impact of your work on the places people call home.

• This is a full time role working 37 hours per week.
• Hybrid working is available for this role, working at least 2 days per week in the office, dependent on business need. You will be based from our Weston and Exeter offices.

About The Candidate

To be successful in your application for the role of Operations Manager - Estate Services, you will have the essential skills and experience for a Level 3 - Manager/Specialist role (please see candidate information pack) and the following role specific skills and experience:

Essential

Skills & Experience

• Substantial experience of leading and developing teams, ideally in a regional or multi-site setting.
• Experience of managing operational services through both direct delivery teams and contractors.
• Proven ability to influence change and improve performance and ways of working.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Experience of managing health and safety within an operational or estate-based environment.
• Knowledge of Estate Services or grounds.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of estate services within a comparable organisation.
• Experience of working within a regulated industry (for example social housing, grounds maintenance or utilities).

Qualifications

• Proficient level of literacy and numeracy.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development, such as leadership or management training.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Experience of estate and grounds management.
• Experience or knowledge of horticulture, arboriculture or estate management gained through study or experience.

Please note: This role is not eligible for CoS. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the role without requiring a CoS.

About The Company

Our Reward and Benefits:

• Working Style: Hybrid working with 2 - 3 days in the office to support your work/life balance. *remove if scheme or office based
• Generous Annual Leave: Start with 26 days, plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days with length of service - and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days (pro rated for part time roles).
• Pension Contributions: Enjoy up to 9% employer contributions with our Defined Contribution scheme.
• Health Benefits and Perks: Access to a health care cash plan (worth up to £1,100 annually), virtual GP services, discounted gym memberships, and retail discounts including access to a Blue Light Card.
• Learning and Development: Invest in your future with ongoing personal and professional growth opportunities.
• Family Support: Policies designed to help you balance work and family life, including a new child payment.
• Wellbeing Matters: Prioritise your health with mental health support, enhanced sick pay, wellness campaigns, and free flu jabs.
• Smarter Travel: Save with our Cycle to Work and Car Benefit schemes.
• Giving Back: Up to four paid volunteering days a year to support our communities.

About Us:

At LiveWest, we are united by a shared mission: to create a home for everyone. Each of us takes pride in playing our part in achieving this goal.

Our values guide everything we do - from how we work together to how we deliver exceptional services to our customers. Collaboration is at the heart of LiveWest, and we believe that we achieve more when we deliver together.

As one of the largest employers in the South West, our team of 1,800 talented colleagues provides a wide range of services to our 80,000 customers. We are passionate about nurturing local talent and creating opportunities for people within the communities we serve.

We are committed to supporting our colleagues, giving them the autonomy and encouragement they need to thrive and reach their full potential. Together, we are building brighter futures for everyone.

Inclusion at LiveWest:

At LiveWest, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We believe that our differences drive innovation, creativity, and excellence, and we strive to create an environment where all colleagues can thrive. As a proud member of Inclusive Employers, a Disability Confident Employer, and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, we are dedicated to supporting all our colleagues and ensuring that our workplace is welcoming and accessible to all.

We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join our team. LiveWest is dedicated to equal opportunity and actively works to eliminate discrimination and promote diversity at all levels.

Join us in our mission to create vibrant and inclusive communities. Make a difference with LiveWest, where every voice is heard, and every contribution is valued.

You can read more about Inclusion at LiveWest by visiting our website.