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- Tasks: Lead daily operations of student accommodation, ensuring a top-notch living environment.
- Company: Join FIM, a dynamic management services company under global investment firm Meridiam.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, private medical benefits, and gym discounts.
- Other info: Collaborative role with excellent career growth opportunities in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on student life while managing exciting infrastructure projects.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in operations or contracts, with strong understanding of PPP/PFI environments.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Hybrid role - Up to 2 days per week WFH.
Benefits: 25 days AL + BH, Life Insurance, Pension Scheme, up to 9% employer contribution, Private Medical Benefit including dental and optical, EAP, salary sacrifice schemes, gym & retailer discounts.
FIM (Fulcrum Infrastructure Management) is a management services company, managing social infrastructure assets on behalf of our parent company; global infrastructure investment company, Meridiam.
This role is working on the University of Hertfordshire's Student accommodation project, a 50 year PPP project which consists of the design, build, financing and operation of 3,000+ student residence rooms based on the College Lane Campus in Hatfield.
We're seeking a proactive, hands-on Operations Manager to join the team, who thrives in complex environments and can lead high-quality operational delivery across the asset.
Key Requirements:
- 3+ years' experience in an Operations, Contracts or Head of Services role within a PPP/PFI or complex estates environment, with strong contractual understanding.
- Solid facilities management background (hard and/or soft services), including managing outsourced FM partners, helpdesk performance and statutory compliance.
- Proven asset management experience, covering lifecycle planning, PPMs, defect resolution and service or improvement projects.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience working closely with universities, FM providers, boards and internal teams.
- Confident, hands-on leader with commercial and financial awareness, able to manage budgets and make sound decisions in fast-paced, demand-led environments.
About the Role:
As Operations Manager, you will lead the day-to-day operational management of the College Lane residences, ensuring they remain an attractive, well-run and sustainable living environment for students. You'll manage service delivery through subcontracted FM partners, oversee operational performance and act as the principal operational interface with the University and key stakeholders to coordinate activity, minimise disruption and deliver exceptional service.
The role has a strong contractual and commercial focus, requiring you to interpret and monitor compliance with PPP/PFI requirements, support asset and SPV governance, and identify opportunities to enhance service delivery and occupancy outcomes. You will oversee lifecycle planning, planned preventative maintenance, defect management and improvement projects, using data-driven insights to monitor performance and inform decision making.
You'll also support Board and stakeholder meetings through preparation, reporting and action tracking, lead responses to out-of-hours operational emergencies, and play a key role in delivering the Uliving@Hertfordshire ESG strategy. This is a highly collaborative, hands-on role requiring energy, resilience and a 'roll-up-your-sleeves' approach.
About You:
This role is ideal for an experienced operations, contracts or estates professional with a strong background in PPP/PFI projects, social infrastructure or large-scale FM environments. You will have a minimum of 3 years' experience in an Operations, Contracts or Head of Services role, and have a solid contractual understanding and are confident interpreting and applying complex contractual obligations to real-world operational challenges.
Your asset management experience enables you to influence lifecycle planning, oversee PPM delivery, resolve defects and support capital and improvement projects within a complex estate. You are analytical, solutions-focused and comfortable making informed decisions using performance and financial data. Known for your ability to influence rather than direct, you build trust quickly and work effectively with diverse stakeholders including university estates teams, FM partners, subcontractors, students and project company representatives. Experience within the Higher Education sector, particularly in fast-paced or demand-led residential environments, would be highly advantageous.
Values led and collaborative, you are committed to high standards, continuous improvement, health and safety compliance, and developing strong teams.
Our Values:
- Supportive - We embrace partnership working.
- Ethical - We act with integrity.
- Innovative - We take ownership for understanding and improving FIM.
- Ambitious - We continually strive to deliver the best possible service.
- Passionate - We are proud of the part we play in FIM & the service we deliver.
Operations Manager (PFI) in Hatfield employer: Fulcrum Infrastructure Management Limited
Contact Detail:
Fulcrum Infrastructure Management Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager (PFI) in Hatfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who have experience in PPP/PFI projects. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how they align with yours. This will help you showcase your passion and commitment during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially around stakeholder management and operational challenges. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager (PFI) in Hatfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in PPP/PFI projects and facilities management, as well as any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to lead and manage complex environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific experiences that align with the job description, especially your stakeholder management skills and hands-on leadership style.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since the role requires data-driven decision-making, be sure to include examples of how you've used performance and financial data to inform your decisions in past roles. This will demonstrate your analytical mindset and problem-solving abilities.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fulcrum Infrastructure Management Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of PPP/PFI projects and the specific requirements of the role. Familiarise yourself with the University of Hertfordshire's student accommodation project, as well as any relevant legislation or compliance standards. This will show that you're not just interested in the role, but that you understand the complexities involved.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Operations Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your hands-on leadership style. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams and influenced stakeholders in previous roles. Think about times when you've had to make tough decisions or resolve conflicts, and be ready to discuss these experiences in detail.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves using data to inform decision-making, come prepared with examples of how you've used performance metrics in past positions. Discuss how you've monitored operational performance, managed budgets, or improved service delivery based on data insights. This will highlight your analytical skills and your ability to drive results.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This position requires working closely with various stakeholders, so be ready to talk about your experience in building relationships and fostering collaboration. Share specific instances where you've successfully partnered with universities, FM providers, or other teams to achieve common goals. This will demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a complex environment.