Operational Services Manager

Operational Services Manager

Shefford Full-Time 43888 - 45780 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
C

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and manage property, facilities, and maintenance operations for a diverse portfolio.
  • Company: Join Central Bedfordshire Council, a forward-thinking organisation transforming facilities management.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, professional development, and a competitive rewards package.
  • Why this job: Be part of a modern service that prioritises safety, compliance, and innovation.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Facilities or Estates Management with experience in multi-site organisations required.
  • Other info: Flexible working arrangements and ongoing training opportunities available.

The predicted salary is between 43888 - 45780 £ per year.

Team:FCM – Corporate Facilities
Job Family:Managing – CBG14
Salary:£53,861 – £57,328 per annum pro rata
Hours:37 hours per week
Base Location:You will be expected to attend a CBC office location as often as needed to carry out your role, which will be no less than once per month.You will be required to attend Priory House, Shefford on a weekly basis.
Contract Type:Hybrid –Permanent

About the role

Central Bedfordshire Council is a forward thinking council with a diverse and extensive property portfolio—ranging from commercial premises and farms to libraries, offices, and schools. We are in the midst of transforming how we manage these assets through our Corporate Landlord model—a strategic and fully integrated approach to facilities and estates management.

This is an exciting time to join us as we shape a modern, efficient, and customer-focused service.

We are looking for a confident and experienced leader to take day to day charge of our property, facilities, and minor works operations—bringing these key functions together into a unified, forward-thinking service.

AsOperational Service Manager, you’ll be responsible for delivering a consistent, high-quality service across all our locations. You’ll lead teams covering Estates, Maintenance, Facilities, and Minor Works—ensuring our buildings are safe, legally compliant, well-maintained, and aligned with strategic goals.

This is a fast-paced, high-impact role that sits at the heart of our Corporate Landlord model. You will act as the primary link between internal stakeholders, external contractors, and service providers—ensuring that our sites are not only operationally sound, but also future-ready.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and develop the Council’s Operational estates, facilities, maintenance, and minor works.
  • Oversee a robust maintenance management system (planned and reactive), ensuring operational compliance and strategic delivery.
  • Manage cleaning, security, and maintenance services—leading procurement, contractor performance, and value-for-money evaluations.
  • Act as Contract Manager with responsibility for contract governance, supplier relationships, and performance outcomes.
  • Oversee investment planning and minor works across our estate, including upgrades, repairs, and compliance with lease obligations.
  • Identify service-wide objectives, manage risk, and ensure the development and performance of your teams.
  • Support the Head of Asset Management in embedding the Corporate Landlord approach across the Council.
  • Deputise for the Head of Asset Management.

What We’re Looking For

  • A degree-qualified professional in Facilities or Estates Management with substantial experience in large, multi-site organisations.
  • Strong expertise in both Facilities and Estates Management – including lease and landlord-tenant knowledge.
  • Proven track record in leading change, managing high-value contracts, and driving service innovation.
  • Exceptional financial management skills to oversee a multi-million-pound service.
  • Strong customer focus and ability to balance operational delivery with strategic oversight.
  • Experience in people leadership, performance development, and team management.
  • A proactive, flexible approach and willingness to participate in an out-of-hours on-call rota.

Why Join Us?

  • This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in shaping a modern, forward-thinking Corporate Landlord service. You’ll have access to:
    • A diverse and interesting property portfolio.
    • Opportunities to innovate and challenge the status quo.
    • Ongoing professional development and training.
    • Agile and flexible working arrangements.
    • A competitive rewards package and a supportive team environment.

At Central Bedfordshire Council, we’re committed to making our area agreat place to live and work. If you are passionate about building safety, compliance, and making a real difference, we would love to hear from you.

Our Offer

We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff, to view these please visit ourRewards and Benefits page.

Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer. We welcome discussion on location, hours and working pattern as part of the application process.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————

You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet the key accountabilities and competencies in thisRecruitment Pack.

OurCompetency Framework and Qualification Guidanceare to be read in conjunction with our Recruitment Pack.

For an informal discussion about this position, please contact:Gavin Coombs at Gavin.Coombs@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 4656

———————————————————————————————————————————————————-

To maintain a fair and consistent approach for applicants,it isCentral Bedfordshire Council\’spolicy to only consider applications madevia our online applicationsystem and we therefore thank you for not submitting your application offline.

Our National Careers Service team offer a free monthly workshop covering CV writing and how to complete the statement sections of the Central Bedfordshire Council online application form. This MS Teams workshop is open to anyone from the UK and lasts around 1.5 hours.Please book your place here.

More information about this service can be found here:Support getting into work or learning | Central Bedfordshire Council

Closing Date:23rd July 2025

Interview Date:28th July 2025

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Operational Services Manager employer: Central Bedfordshire Council

Central Bedfordshire Council is an excellent employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead and innovate within a diverse property portfolio while shaping a modern Corporate Landlord service. With a commitment to professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive team environment, employees can thrive in their roles and make a meaningful impact on the community. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking council that values safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.
C

Contact Detail:

Central Bedfordshire Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Operational Services Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with Central Bedfordshire Council's Corporate Landlord model. Understanding this strategic approach will help you demonstrate your alignment with their goals during discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in facilities and estates management. Engaging with others in the field can provide insights into best practices and may even lead to valuable connections within the council.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience in managing high-value contracts and leading teams. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your leadership skills and ability to drive service innovation.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your customer-focused approach by thinking of ways to improve service delivery. Consider how you can balance operational needs with strategic oversight, as this is crucial for the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Operational Services Manager

Facilities Management
Estates Management
Contract Management
Financial Management
Leadership Skills
Project Management
Risk Management
Customer Service Orientation
Procurement Skills
Compliance Knowledge
Team Development
Strategic Planning
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and requirements. Highlight your relevant experience in facilities and estates management, as well as your leadership skills.

Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Operational Services Manager role. Emphasise your expertise in managing multi-site operations and your financial management capabilities.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for facilities management and your vision for a modern Corporate Landlord service. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you meet the competencies outlined in the recruitment pack.

Prepare for the Online Application: Ensure you have all necessary documents ready for the online application process. This includes your CV, cover letter, and any other required information. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid any mistakes during submission.

How to prepare for a job interview at Central Bedfordshire Council

✨Understand the Corporate Landlord Model

Familiarise yourself with the Corporate Landlord model that Central Bedfordshire Council is implementing. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with this approach and how you can contribute to its success.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As an Operational Services Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in facilities or estates management.

✨Highlight Financial Management Experience

Given the role's focus on overseeing a multi-million-pound service, be ready to discuss your financial management skills. Share specific instances where you've managed budgets, evaluated contractor performance, or driven cost efficiencies.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you resolved them, especially in high-pressure situations.

C
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>