DE&S Operations Manager

We are Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S). We manage a vast range of projects to supply and maintain vital equipment and services for the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. Together, we deliver essential defence programmes – and strive for what’s next. Because it helps keep our military at the top of their game and our nation safe, now and in the future.

Across our 12,500-strong organisation, we support all our people to be at their very best, fostering a family-friendly approach to flexible and hybrid working. After all, support is in our name.

Are you an Operations Manager looking for a new and exciting challenge within Defence?

Come and join us at Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) as an Operations Manager in the Capital Ships Strategic Class Authority (SCA).

Our team are tasked with delivering the Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) Programme of Support along with the Operations and Through Life Management for HMS Queen Elizabeth (QNLZ) and HMS Prince of Wales (PWLS) aircraft carriers. In this role, you’d be part of the team at the Waterfront in Portsmouth, contributing to the delivery of Fleet Time Engineering Maintenance, repair, and new capability within the agreed performance, time, and cost parameters. The ships are the largest and most powerful ships ever built for the Royal Navy and cost more than £6 billion to build, each weighing 65 thousand tonnes and have top speeds of 25 knots.

As an Operations Manager, you’ll work closely with industry and other internal teams to support delivery, planning, and providing the required support for QNLZ and PWLS. You’ll have considerable opportunity with a continuous improvement mindset, and you will interpret and utilise management information and data to provide valuable business insights. In the role, you’ll encourage a culture of learning from experience, imaginative thinking and expanding mindsets, all in the pursuit of improved quality.

The role is based in our offices at Her Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Portsmouth, and in-office attendance is required 3-4 days per week. Occasional travel will be required to our Head Office at Abbey Wood, near Bristol.

In return, we offer great benefits including – a market leading employer pension contribution, performance-based bonuses, a flexible working environment, together with training and development opportunities to enable you to build a career in DE&S. We also have a wide range of staff networks, where you can meet new people, share perspectives, and celebrate differences, too. You can be sure that when you join us, you’ll be joining a real community.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the translation of project aims into clear manageable delivery plans and determining resource requirements to support their implementation.
• Following guidance on the delivery of complex support arrangements or for multiple in-service capabilities.
• Providing advice on reporting requirements, tracking performance against budgets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Performing contract management activities including liaising with suppliers, monitoring, and controlling performance against contractual obligations and agreed KPIs, dependencies management and set direction for contract requirements and tenders.
• Contributing to finance resource management, ensuring actual spend is monitored and forecasting conducted accordingly to ensure the integrated support meets customer requirements within budget whilst mitigating risk and leveraging opportunities.
• Regularly interpreting management information to provide valuable business insights and working alongside senior colleagues to help share strategy and policy within your role area.
• Developing Projects to place and manage In Service contracts, and supplier performance to ensure agreed contractual obligations are met.
• Working collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Experience in a delivery environment, an Operations Management role or associated discipline (Project Management, Supply Chain, Engineering, Business Management, Through Life Support).
• Evidence of continuous improvement and leading a team through change.
• Experience of managing the relationship with stakeholders, internal and external, at all levels.
• Proven ability in managing budgets, contracts, and suppliers.

It would also be great if you can demonstrate any of the following desirable criteria:

• Working knowledge and understanding of operational maritime support delivery

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Continuous Improvement for Optimised Support – Practitioner
• Stakeholder Management – Practitioner
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making effective decisions

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Flexible and hybrid working wherever possible, to support your work-life balance (though some attendance to the stated site is required)
• Market-leading employer pension contribution of around 27%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded professional qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

We believe in creating an inclusive environment where our people can grow, thrive, and be their authentic selves. We value diversity of thought and the ways in which it enriches our culture and our work. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of. And if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Further Information

More information can be found below:

• DE&S Little Book of Big Benefits: https://bit.ly/3FEb54v
• Further Information: https://bit.ly/3K26Xhl
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/3yUwcM1

Job contact :

• Name : Jade Kirby – DE&S Talent Acquisition Specialist
• Email : jade.kirby117@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : jade.kirby117@mod.gov.uk