Service Manager

VIVO Defence; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Up to 6% employer matched pension

Private medical cover

Life assurance up to 2x salary

Job summary

VIVO Defence Services, a joint venture between Serco and EQUANS, invites applications for a Service Manager role at Wattisham Flying Station. You will own maintenance operations, contractor performance and compliance, delivering services in line with Ministry of Defence and contractual requirements.

As part of the role you will oversee planned and reactive maintenance, manage supply chain partners, support project delivery and ensure health, safety and environmental standards are met.

Qualifications

• Level 4 Facilities Management qualification or equivalent.
• Experience in facilities management, estate management, engineering or property maintenance.
• Strong health and safety knowledge and ability to review risk assessments.
• Experience with supply chain partners, KPI tracking and CDM compliance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee maintenance operations and contractor performance.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental standards.
• Manage planned and reactive maintenance, supply chain partners and projects.
• Build relationships with customers and stakeholders and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Contractor management

Health and safety awareness

Project leadership

Education

Level 4 Facilities Management qualification

HNC or equivalent qualification in Building Services/Facilities Management

Tools

CAFM systems

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

Wattisham Flying Station

Salary

£38,000-£42,000

Full time, permanent

Join us as a Service Manager and play a vital role in delivering safe, compliant and high-performing facilities management services across a complex Defence estate. This is a varied and rewarding role where you'll take ownership of maintenance operations, contractor performance, statutory compliance and customer relationships, ensuring that services are delivered efficiently, effectively and in accordance with Ministry of Defence and contractual requirements.

Working at the heart of estate operations, you'll oversee planned and reactive maintenance activities, manage supply chain partners, support project delivery and ensure compliance with critical health, safety and environmental standards. You'll be a key point of contact for customers and stakeholders, balancing operational priorities with commercial considerations while ensuring the estate remains safe, compliant and fit for purpose.

This role offers the opportunity to combine technical expertise, project management and operational leadership in a fast-paced environment where your decisions have a direct impact on service delivery and customer satisfaction. If you're passionate about facilities management and enjoy leading people, managing risk and driving continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Bring

You'll hold a Level 4 Facilities Management qualification or an equivalent technical qualification supported by relevant operational experience. You'll have experience within facilities management, estate management, engineering or property maintenance environments and understand what it takes to deliver safe, compliant and customer-focused services.

You'll have practical experience managing day-to-day facilities management operations, including planned preventative maintenance, reactive maintenance and the delivery of small projects. You'll understand how to balance operational priorities, customer expectations and commercial objectives while ensuring services are delivered efficiently and effectively.

A strong working knowledge of health and safety compliance is essential. You'll be confident reviewing risk assessments and method statements, monitoring safe working practices and ensuring activities are delivered in accordance with statutory requirements, Defence standards and established safe systems of work. Experience working with Joint Service Publications (JSPs) or similar compliance frameworks would be highly advantageous.

You'll be comfortable managing contractors and supply chain partners, ensuring the right skills, resources and equipment are in place to deliver work safely, on time and to the required quality standards. You'll understand the importance of performance management, value for money and continuous improvement, with the ability to monitor delivery against agreed KPIs and service levels.

Your organisational skills will enable you to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records and ensure all maintenance, compliance and project documentation is completed correctly. Experience using CAFM systems to manage assets, track performance and maintain statutory compliance records will be beneficial.

You'll be capable of managing projects from inception through to completion, including planning, coordination, stakeholder engagement, commercial oversight and compliance management. Experience working under CDM regulations and delivering M&E or building and civil engineering projects would be particularly valuable.

Strong communication and stakeholder management skills are critical to success in this role. You'll be able to build positive relationships with customers, contractors, operational teams and senior stakeholders while managing expectations, resolving issues and providing clear, professional advice.

You'll be open to taking on additional compliance responsibilities, including appointments such as Confined Spaces Authorised Person, Working at Height Authorised Person, Temporary Works Coordinator, Legionella Responsible Person and Asbestos Responsible Person. A proactive approach to learning and professional development will be highly valued.

An HNC or equivalent qualification in Building Services, Mechanical Engineering or Facilities Management would be advantageous. Membership of a recognised professional body such as the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM), or qualifications in asset management through the Institute of Asset Management, would also be welcomed.

Most importantly, you'll be a collaborative and solutions-focused professional who takes ownership, demonstrates sound judgement and consistently delivers high standards. You'll combine technical understanding with strong operational leadership, helping to create a safe, compliant and efficient environment while ensuring customers receive an outstanding service.

What We Offer:

• 25 days annual leave
• Up to 6% employer matched pension contribution
• Single private medical cover
• Life assurance up to 2x base 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.