Senior Operations Manager - Soft FM

Equans UK & Ireland; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle or allowance

Bonus

40 hours per week

25 days annual leave

Job summary

Equans UK & Ireland is recruiting a Senior Operations Manager – Soft FM to lead all Soft FM operations at the University of West London. This permanent, full-time role is campus-based, 40 hours per week, with a competitive salary, company vehicle or allowance, bonus and benefits package.

You will drive service delivery, manage large teams, ensure SLAs and KPIs are met, and act as the key link between Equans and the university’s facilities management function, delivering value and continuous

Qualifications

• Strong background in Soft FM management at a senior level.
• Experience managing large teams and prioritising workloads.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Skilled in budget management and financial systems.
• Familiarity with CAFM systems Maximo or similar.
• Experience in contract negotiation and implementation.

Responsibilities

• Manage all Soft FM teams: cleaning, security, caretaking, helpdesk, etc
• Ensure services meet SLAs, KPIs, and client expectations
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and cost efficiency
• Maintain strong relationships with the university’s FM function
• Engage with schools/departments to enhance Equans’ reputation on campus
• Recruit, train, develop, and motivate staff
• Lead a large, diverse operational workforce
• Create budgets, business plans, and departmental strategies
• Manage financial performance and reporting
• Support commercial activity and contract development
• Some out-of-hours attendance required

Skills

Soft FM management

Leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Contract negotiation

Tools

Maximo

Job description

Equans are looking for a Senior Operations Manager – Soft FM to join our team at The University of West London. This is a permanent, full-time role, working 40 hours per week. On offer is a competitive salary, company vehicle or allowance, bonus and benefits package.

The Senior Operations Manager will lead all Soft FM operations on the university contract, ensuring services run smoothly, efficiently, and to a high standard. The post holder will act as the key link between Equans and the university’s FM team.

The ideal candidate is a self-motivated and driven individual able to add expertise and leadership to the team. Will establish good working relationships with both client and team members. Able to deal with multiple competing priorities without compromising service delivery, including business critical events.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience managing soft FM and security services at a senior level. Previous experience of meeting SLA’s and KPI’s, team management, stakeholder management and driving standards forwards.

What will you deliver?

• Manage all Soft FM teams: cleaning, security, caretaking, helpdesk, etc
• Ensure services meet SLAs, KPIs, and client expectations
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and cost efficiency
• Maintain strong relationships with the university’s FM function
• Engage with schools/departments to enhance Equans’ reputation on campus
• Recruit, train, develop, and motivate staff
• Lead a large, diverse operational workforce
• Create budgets, business plans, and departmental strategies
• Manage financial performance and reportingSupport commercial activity and contract development
• Some out-of-hours attendance required

What can we offer you?

On offer is a competitive salary, company vehicle or allowance, bonus, and benefits package, which includes;

• 25 days annual leave (+ public holidays)
• Life Cover equivalent to 2 times annual salary
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Holiday purchase scheme
• 2 corporate social responsibility days per year
• Broad range of learning opportunities, such as professional qualifications, collective/individual training, and personalized support programmes
• Attractive Employee Referral Rewards Scheme
• Access to our growing employee networks
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app

Who are you?

• Strong background in Soft FM management at a senior level
• Experience managing large teams and prioritising workloads
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Skilled in budget management and financial systems
• Familiarity with CAFM systems Maximo or similar
• Experience in contract negotiation and implementation

This role includes a DBS Enhanced check therefore ability to pass is essential

Who are we?

In the UK & Ireland, Equans is a provider of sustainable facilities management and regeneration, and cutting-edge energy and digital services. Our 15,000 employees combine these activities to deliver decarbonisation across the built environment and help businesses, communities, public sector organisations and government to accelerate the transition to a low carbon, resilient world.

Globally, Equans is a world leader in the energy and services sector with operations in 20 countries, 90,000 employees working on 5 continents and a turnover of 19.2 billion euros in 2024. Equans is a subsidiary of the Bouygues group.

Our ambition

At Equans, we are driven by our ambition to be recognised for our operational excellence and as the best place to work for our employees. This commitment extends to achieving global and sustainable performance through Impact, ensuring that everything we do aligns with our core values—Accountability, Respect, Team Spirit, and Service Focus.

We take ownership, act with integrity, and set high standards. We listen, support, and care for one another. We collaborate and build trust to achieve shared goals, always striving to meet our customers' needs in a proactive and pragmatic way. These values shape our culture, strengthen our community, and inspire us to deliver excellence every day.

What's next?

As part our commitment to better reflect the markets within which we operate, we encourage applications from women, ethnically diverse individuals and people with disabilities, along with all candidates who identify with protected characteristic groups under the Equality Act 2010.

At Equans we’re committed to delivering a culture where everyone’s voice is heard and supported. We know the value a diverse workforce creates, delivering better results for our people, customers, and stakeholders. Diversity and inclusion is at the core of what we do, should you join Equans you’ll find a welcoming and open workplace where you’re supported and encouraged to be your true self at work.

You’ll also have access to our growing employee networks including AccessAbility (representing those with physical and mental disabilities), Encompass (representing the LGBTQ+ community), RISE (representing people from ethnic backgrounds), Veterans & Reservists, WOMEN Together (representing women in Equans), Working Parents, and Young Professionals.

For this role, you must have evidence of the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer a re-location package with this job role. Certain roles may require applicants to undergo a Disclosure check, as noted in the role requirements.

The Equans Resourcing Team manage this requirement. Agency involvement is not required. All related enquiries should come to the resourcing team not direct to Equans Managers.