At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations in a high-profile government Command Centre and manage critical incidents.
- Company: Join a prestigious government agency at Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, long-term contract, and a chance to work on impactful projects.
- Other info: Ideal for those with backgrounds in defence, government, or critical infrastructure.
- Why this job: Be the key decision-maker in a dynamic environment that shapes national security.
- Qualifications: Must have DV clearance and experience in operational command or major incident management.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Location: Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes
Working Arrangement: Onsite
Rate: £550-£650 per day, Inside IR35
Contract: 3 years
Clearance: Developed Vetting (DV) - Essential
The Role
We are seeking an experienced DV Cleared Duty Manager to join a high-profile government Command Centre capability based at Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes. The Duty Manager will act as the senior operational authority and primary point of contact for the Command Centre during their shift, providing command and control across a broad range of operational capabilities, including Cyber/SOC, NOC, Infrastructure, Service Management and Physical Security. This is not a SOC Manager, Cyber Operations Manager or hands-on technical engineering position. The successful candidate will sit across multiple specialist teams, maintaining the overall operational picture, understanding business impact, setting priorities, coordinating responses and managing escalation.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the senior operational authority for the Command Centre during assigned shifts.
- Maintain a clear Common Operating Picture (COP) across cyber, network, infrastructure, service management and physical security operations.
- Coordinate the response to significant incidents, service disruptions, emerging risks and operational issues.
- Set operational priorities and ensure the appropriate specialist teams are engaged.
- Manage escalations across multiple technical and operational teams and third-party suppliers.
- Provide clear, concise and authoritative operational updates to senior leadership and stakeholders.
- Produce and deliver operational briefings covering significant incidents, service impacts, emerging risks and relevant overnight/weekend activity.
- Engage confidently with senior stakeholders and provide appropriate challenge where required.
- Bring in technical specialists when deeper technical expertise is required rather than attempting to resolve technical issues directly.
- Take operational ownership of the Command Centre's AV and command-wall capability, including SOC, NOC and other operational feeds.
- Help develop appropriate screen layouts, operational dashboards and the overall Common Operating Picture.
- Support the development of Command Centre runbooks, escalation procedures, reporting, operating processes and ways of working.
- Contribute to the transition towards a full 24/7 operational model.
- Support training and knowledge transfer for Command Centre personnel.
- Ensure effective handovers between shifts and maintain strong operational continuity.
About You
We are looking for someone who is comfortable operating at the intersection of technology, service management and operational command. You will ideally have experience in a 24/7 command centre, operations centre, major incident environment, government/defence environment or similarly critical operational setting. You should be able to demonstrate:
- Significant experience in operational command, duty management, major incident management or service operations.
- Experience coordinating multiple teams during complex or high-impact incidents.
- Strong understanding of SOC, NOC, infrastructure and IT service management environments.
- Experience operating in a 24/7 environment.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, including the ability to brief senior leadership.
- Strong decision-making and prioritisation skills under pressure.
- Experience managing escalations and coordinating third-party suppliers.
- Ability to maintain an accurate operational picture across multiple concurrent issues.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience developing operational procedures, runbooks and escalation processes.
- A calm, authoritative and structured approach during significant incidents.
Desirable Backgrounds
- Duty Manager/Operations Duty Manager
- Command Centre/Command Centre Manager
- Major Incident Manager
- Service Operations Manager
- Operations Manager
- Watch Manager/Watch Officer
- Incident Commander
- Operations Controller
- Service Delivery Manager
- Operational Resilience
- Defence, government or critical national infrastructure
- 24/7 managed service or operations environments
Experience within government, defence, national security, telecommunications, critical infrastructure or other highly regulated environments would be particularly valuable.
Clearance
Current Developed Vetting (DV) clearance is essential for this position. Candidates without current DV clearance will not be considered.
DV Cleared Duty Manager - Command Centre in Milton Keynes employer: CBS Butler
CBS Butler is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Yeovil where innovation meets security in the defence sector. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to mentor fellow engineers while working on cutting-edge VMware NSX-T solutions. Our collaborative culture and commitment to technical excellence ensure that your contributions are valued and impactful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land DV Cleared Duty Manager - Command Centre in Milton Keynes
✨Get Engaged in Local Politics
Dive into your local council meetings or community boards. These spaces are packed with people who are already in the public sector and might have insider tips on upcoming temporary roles. Plus, you can connect directly with key decision-makers.
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Many public sector jobs ramp up during certain times of the year, especially around election seasons or local budget planning periods. Keep your eyes peeled for recruitment drives during these windows, as they're prime times for temporary positions.
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Don’t forget to check government job boards or websites like the local council's site for temporary postings. This is where many roles first get advertised, and applying directly here can speed things up.
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If you're at university, make the most of your career services to discover opportunities in the public sector. They often have connections with local government employers who are looking for temporary staff and can help you polish your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace DV Cleared Duty Manager - Command Centre in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Emphasise your understanding of public policy:In your application, make sure to highlight any knowledge or experience you have related to public policy, governance or community engagement. Show us how you can contribute to the public sector’s mission, especially if you've worked on relevant projects or initiatives before!
Tailor your CV to the sector's expectations:When crafting your CV, focus on including experiences that showcase your ability to work within government structures or similar environments. Use clear, concise language and consider adding any volunteer work or internships that reflect your commitment to public service.
Show flexibility and willingness to learn:Since this is a temporary role, it’s crucial to convey your adaptability and eagerness to pick up new skills quickly. In your cover letter, let us know how you plan to make the most of this short-term experience and what you hope to learn from it.
Include relevant certificates and training:If you've completed any training or have certifications that are relevant to the role (like public administration, project management, or data analysis), don't forget to mention them. These can really make you stand out in the application process!
How to prepare for a job interview at CBS Butler
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Public Service
In the government and public sector, showing that you're genuinely passionate about serving the community is key. Get ready to share examples where you've contributed to social good or tackled community issues, as this will resonate with interviewers from CBS Butler.
✨Prepare for Policy and Regulatory Questions
Expect questions about policies, regulations, or recently implemented government initiatives. Brush up on the latest news relating to public sector developments—being informed will help you demonstrate that you're ready to hit the ground running, especially in a temporary role.
✨Flexibility is Your Best Friend
Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly. Share examples where you've successfully taken on new challenges or adjusted to different team dynamics, that'll show CBS Butler that you’re reliable and can effectively support various projects without a long onboarding process.
✨Prepare to Showcase Teamwork Skills
In the public sector, collaboration is vital. Be ready to discuss past experiences working in teams, especially in diverse environments. Highlight how you've contributed positively to group settings—this could really set you apart from other candidates in this temporary role.
