Operations Manager - MOD Stafford

VIVO Defence Services; Stafford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading facilities management provider is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to deliver high-quality maintenance services at MOD Stafford. The ideal candidate will ensure compliance with health and safety regulations while leading a team and overseeing operations. Strong leadership and technical skills are essential for effectively managing a fast-paced environment and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Benefits

6% employee matched pension contribution

25 days annual leave

Single private medical cover

Life assurance 2 x annual salary

Qualifications

• Minimum HNC or equivalent qualification in relevant engineering discipline.
• Management-level Health & Safety qualification such as SMSTS required.
• Experience managing hard services FM essential.

Responsibilities

• Oversee delivery of maintenance services across MoD sites.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety and Environmental standards.
• Build strong relationships with Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

Skills

Leadership

Health & Safety Compliance

Technical Knowledge

Communication

Resource Planning

Continuous Improvement

Education

HNC or equivalent in Building, Civil, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering

Management-level Health & Safety qualification (SMSTS)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Who We Are

VIVO provides facilities management and accommodation maintenance for the UK military and its partners. VIVO embodies both experience and innovation.

What We Do

We put our Customers and Families First. They are the driving force behind everything we do. We drive forward improvements for them to ensure the service they receive, whether reactive repairs or a major project, is completed safely and on time. In order to achieve this, we have 4 core values: open, caring, agile and collaborative. These are at the heart of everything we do.

Location: MOD Stafford (on site role)

Salary: Competitive

Full time, Permanent

Operations Manager – Delivering Excellence in Defence Facilities Maintenance

We are looking for a driven and experienced Operations Manager to lead the effective, safe, and compliant delivery of maintenance and response works across key MoD sites. This role is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, ensuring high standards in quality, compliance, and customer satisfaction, and playing a crucial role in contract performance and site safety.

The Role

As the Operations Manager, you will be accountable for delivering maintenance services in line with statutory legislation and MoD requirements, ensuring full compliance with Health and Safety and Environmental standards. You'll monitor the performance of supply chain teams, ensuring they are properly qualified and equipped, while maintaining value for money, quality outcomes, and adherence to safety protocols. A key part of your role will be reviewing risk assessments and method statements, coordinating consistent and safe working practices on site, and ensuring that work progress is accurately recorded and reported in the CAFM system.

You will also be responsible for reviewing risk registers, identifying and escalating defects, and ensuring strict compliance with JSP 375 and other safety requirements. This includes duties related to Asbestos and Legionella management, acting as the responsible person where required, and working closely with Mobile Authorised Persons to ensure proper safety procedures, particularly for work at height and in confined spaces.

From a people perspective, you'll act as the single point of contact for customer issues, building strong working relationships with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and site end users. You will assist in developing new work requirements, resolving complaints, and supporting the helpdesk by providing technical guidance. Leading by example, you will provide supervision and coaching to your teams, ensure optimal service levels, and promote a strong safety culture where teams are empowered to perform at their best.

Commercially, you will be responsible for making sound, cost-effective decisions that balance stakeholder expectations with value for money. You’ll support risk management, contribute to forward maintenance planning, and ensure operations are delivered efficiently and profitably in line with VIVO’s business goals.

You will be expected to communicate clearly and confidently with stakeholders at all levels, lead by example in achieving objectives, and motivate your site teams through decisive leadership and effective delegation. Building robust and collaborative relationships, especially with local MoD personnel, will be vital in ensuring consistent delivery of the VIVO contract.

Technically, you’ll need to effectively plan resources, analyse data, maintain accurate records, and monitor delivery against key milestones. You’ll also be expected to share best practices, drive continuous improvement, and ensure Health and Safety procedures are fully implemented. A sound understanding of construction and property maintenance processes is essential, with a clear focus on compliance and quality delivery.

What You'll Bring

To succeed in this role, you’ll need a minimum HNC or equivalent qualification in Building, Civil, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering (or related discipline), along with a management-level Health & Safety qualification such as SMSTS. Alternatively, you will be qualified by experience, with enough technical knowledge to appropriately triage maintenance tasks and provide first line advice. You must have experience of managing hard services FM to be considered for this role.

Strong IT skills, particularly in Excel and Word, are also required, alongside a commitment to continuous professional development.

This is a critical role for someone ready to take ownership of operational excellence across a high-profile, fast-paced defence contract. If you're motivated by challenge, passionate about service delivery, and ready to lead high-performing teams, we’d love to hear from you.

What We Offer:

• 6% employee matched pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave
• Single private medical cover
• Life assurance 2 x annual salary
  
  

VIVO Defence Services

The role you have applied for is with VIVO Defence Services, a joint venture between Serco and EQUANS. By applying for this role, please be aware that information contained within your CV may be shared between VIVO Defence Services, Serco and EQUANS during the recruitment process.

At VIVO, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. Therefore, we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool.

We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working and operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly a Disability Confident Leader. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.