Facilities & Business Support Manager in Abingdon

Reporting to the STEP Programme Operations Manager, you will lead facilities, administration, and business support services across a fast-growing, high-impact programme. You’ll manage a small but critical team, overseeing office operations, facilities, budgets, and programme coordination, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes so our technical teams can focus on delivering breakthrough innovation. This is a high‑visibility role, working closely with the Programme Executive and Senior Leadership Team.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Management: Lead, develop and line manage a team delivering facilities and administrative services; build capability through training, clear processes, and effective workload planning; coordinate programme‑wide administrative activities and business support.
• Facilities & Office Management: Oversee day‑to‑day management of STEP office environments and buildings; ensure safe, efficient, and effective workplace practices; act as key interface with internal facilities teams and external partners; support planning and delivery of new buildings and workspace fit‑outs.
• Programme & Executive Support: Oversee business calendar planning and coordination of key meetings; ensure smooth delivery of programme events, visits, and inductions; support senior stakeholders, including Director‑level diary coordination.
• Communications & Collaboration: Enable clear, consistent internal communications across the programme; work with communications teams to maintain accessible and up‑to‑date resources.
• Systems, Data & Ways of Working: Manage document control and programme data systems; drive improvements in processes, digital tools, and hybrid working practices; contribute to business continuity and recovery planning.
• Budget & Procurement: Manage an administration budget (~£300k) with strong financial oversight; track spend versus forecast and ensure value for money; coordinate procurement and supplier activities.

Qualifications

We’re looking for a proactive, organized and collaborative leader who thrives in a complex programme environment.

• Managing office operations and/or facilities.
• Proven team leadership and line management experience.
• Budget management responsibility.
• Strong organisational and project coordination skills.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• High level of IT literacy (MS Office and digital tools).
• Experience supporting senior leadership teams.
• Ability to prioritise, delegate, and manage competing demands.

Desirable

• Data analysis / advanced Excel skills.
• Knowledge of project management approaches or methodologies.

We welcome applications from under‑represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, and people with disabilities. Our Executive team actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

Applicants must complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions. While not required at this time, there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future. If a candidate already holds an SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred to UKFE.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: Criminal Records Checks for Overseas Applicants.

Vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications. We may consider your application for future positions or similar positions within the organisation.