Small Works Manager - Plymouth

VIVO Defence; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A facilities management provider for military services seeks a Small Works Manager in Plymouth. This role involves overseeing damp and mould programmes, managing contractors, and ensuring projects meet time, cost, and quality standards. The ideal candidate will have strong project management experience and an industry-recognized qualification in a construction-related field. Benefits include a competitive salary, company car or allowance, and a robust pension scheme.

Benefits

6% employee matched pension contribution

25 days annual leave

Single private medical cover

Life assurance 2x annual salary

Company car/car allowance

Qualifications

• Proven experience in project and contract management.
• Experience in the housing or construction sector.
• Ability to produce concise reports.

Responsibilities

• Oversee damp and mould programmes and minor works.
• Manage teams of suppliers and contractors.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety regulations.

Skills

Project management

Contract management

Customer service skills

Analytical abilities

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Industry-recognised qualification in construction or related field

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

Plymouth

Hours

Permanent, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Salary

Up to £42,000 + Company car/Car allowance

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and ambitious Small Works Manager to play a key role in the wider Billable Works team, overseeing damp and mould programmes, minor works such as kitchens and bathrooms, and full internal refurbishments. You will be responsible for ensuring that all projects are delivered to the highest professional standards, meeting time, cost, and quality requirements, while always upholding Health & Safety and contractual obligations. This role will cover Chivenor, Illchester & Yeovil.

In this role you will lead on the day‑to‑day delivery of low‑value, high‑turnover works, managing teams of suppliers and contractors to deliver multiple programmes simultaneously. You will take ownership of procurement activities, ensuring compliance with VIVO orders, procurement guidelines, UK legislation and EU regulations. From developing briefs, specifications, procurement plans and tender documents to managing projects through to completion, you will ensure that delivery is robust, transparent and aligned with contractual obligations.

Strong financial control is an essential part of the role. You will monitor and manage monthly spend across projects, ensuring delivery within agreed budgets, timescales and quality criteria. Through effective contract and performance management you will ensure contractors deliver value for money while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction and adhering to VIVO's core values. You will also be expected to scope out works accurately, provide clear reporting on contract activities and maintain comprehensive records that meet both internal and external requirements.

Health, Safety and compliance are at the heart of the role. You will ensure full compliance with relevant policies, procedures and legislation, including CDM Regulations and the Control of Asbestos Regulations. By managing risk proactively and ensuring contractors are properly briefed you will maintain a safe and professional delivery environment across all works.

Building strong relationships with stakeholders is vital. You will be responsible for maintaining the accommodation for our Armed Forces families, working closely with service families, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), supply chain partners and internal teams to ensure clear communication throughout the delivery process. From project initiation to post‑completion handover you will ensure customers remain informed, supported and satisfied with the outcome of works.

What You'll Bring

To be successful, you will bring proven experience in project and contract management, ideally within the housing or construction sector. You will be confident supervising contractors and suppliers, managing term contracts and resolving issues around contract or project delivery. Excellent customer service skills, strong analytical abilities and the ability to produce concise reports will also be essential.

A solid technical foundation is required, with evidence of competence in successful project management and an industry‑recognised qualification in a relevant construction, contract or property‑related subject. A good general education, evidence of continued professional development and experience with compliance and Health & Safety are expected, while qualifications such as SMSTS are highly desirable. Proficiency in Microsoft Office packages including MS Project will be needed to manage workloads, track progress and analyse performance.

This role is ideal for a technically capable manager who thrives in a fast‑paced, high‑turnover environment and who takes pride in delivering high‑quality projects that make a real difference to service users. With excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills you will not only deliver successful outcomes but also build trust, collaboration and long‑term value across the projects you manage.

To be considered for this role you must have a full UK driving licence and be able to pass SC Clearance.

What We Offer

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

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.