At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead maintenance projects, ensuring safety and compliance while managing teams and budgets.
- Company: VIVO Defence Services, a dynamic joint venture focused on facilities management for the UK military.
- Benefits: Up to £42,000 salary, 25 days leave, private medical cover, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible working options and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by keeping critical services running in a supportive, purpose-led team.
- Qualifications: HNC in Engineering or equivalent experience, with strong leadership and problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 42000 £ per year.
Loughborough, Leicestershire, GB, LE12 5QW
Contract Type: Full Time
Who we are
VIVO provides facilities management and accommodation maintenance for the UK military and its partners. VIVO embodies both experience and innovation.
What we do
We put our Customers and Families First. They are the driving force behind everything we do. We drive forward improvements for them to ensure the service they receive, whether reactive repairs or a major project, is completed safely and on time. In order to achieve this, we have 4 core values: open, caring, agile and collaborative. These are at the heart of everything we do.
Location: DMRC, to also support 2 nearby sites - on site role
Permanent, Full time
Salary: Up to £42,000
The Role
In this exciting and varied role, you'll be responsible for ensuring the effective, compliant, and timely delivery of planned and reactive maintenance works, along with small-scale additional works, all while maintaining strict adherence to Health & Safety standards and MOD-specific requirements. You'll be at the forefront of keeping buildings safe, operational, and compliant, using your technical knowledge and leadership skills to make sure everything runs smoothly. You’ll lead and coordinate supply chain teams, ensuring operatives are qualified, equipped, and delivering work to high standards of quality, value, and safety. You'll also review Risk Assessments and Method Statements, carry out job inspections, and ensure that all activity is accurately recorded in our CAFM systems. Compliance with statutory requirements – including Legionella, Asbestos, and Confined Spaces protocols – will form a key part of your responsibilities, and you may also hold appointments such as Authorised Person or Responsible Person for specific disciplines. As a Service Manager, you’ll act as a vital point of contact for our MOD clients and end users, building trusted relationships and proactively addressing issues and new work requirements. Your expertise will support both the operational needs of the estate and our wider goal to deliver cost-effective, safe, and technically excellent services. You’ll be involved in managing budgets, controlling risk, and contributing to future maintenance planning – all while promoting VIVO’s Zero Harm and sustainability initiatives.
What You'll Bring
We’re looking for someone who leads by example, motivates others with clarity and confidence, and brings a strong problem‑solving mindset to every challenge. Your ability to communicate effectively with teams, clients, and contractors will be key, and you’ll be confident influencing others, negotiating outcomes, and making sound decisions backed by technical know‑how. To be successful in this role, you should hold a qualification such as an HNC in Building, Civil, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering – or equivalent experience – along with a management-level H&S qualification such as SMSTS. You should have proven experience in planned and reactive maintenance and managing small construction or engineering projects. We’re also looking for someone open to taking on key site responsibilities such as Space or Legionella Authorised Person roles and participating in an out‑of‑hours on‑call rota. You’ll need strong IT skills, particularly in Excel and Word, and a commitment to your own professional development. If you’re ready to bring your leadership skills and technical expertise to a role that keeps critical services running – and to do it as part of a supportive, purpose‑led team – then we want to hear from you.
What We Offer
- 25 days annual leave
- Single private medical cover
- Life assurance 2x annual salary
- 6% employee matched pension contribution
VIVO Defence Services
The role you have applied for is with VIVO Defence Services, a joint venture between Serco and EQUANS. By applying for this role, please be aware that information contained within your CV may be shared between VIVO Defence Services, Serco and EQUANS during the recruitment process. At VIVO, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. Therefore, we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working and operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly a Disability Confident Leader. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. If candidates wish to request extra time to apply then they should contact 0345 010 4000 and ask to speak to a VIVO Recruiter.
Service Manager in Loughborough employer: Serco Canada Inc
VIVO Defence Services is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and purpose-led work environment where your leadership and technical skills can truly shine. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development alongside competitive benefits such as 25 days of annual leave, private medical cover, and a generous pension scheme. Located in Loughborough, you will be part of a collaborative team dedicated to delivering high-quality services to the UK military, all while promoting a culture of safety and sustainability.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager in Loughborough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the facilities management sector, especially those who have experience with the MOD. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching VIVO and its core values. Show us how you embody 'open', 'caring', 'agile', and 'collaborative' in your work. Tailor your examples to highlight your leadership and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Service Manager, you'll need to influence and negotiate effectively. Role-play common interview scenarios with a friend to boost your confidence and clarity.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining our team at VIVO.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager in Loughborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Service Manager role. Highlight your technical knowledge, leadership skills, and any relevant qualifications like HNC or management-level H&S qualifications.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for VIVO. Share specific examples of how you've led teams, managed projects, and ensured compliance with health and safety standards in previous roles.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give us a glimpse of your problem-solving mindset. Describe challenges you've faced in maintenance or project management and how you tackled them effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, plus you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco Canada Inc
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to building, civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering. Be ready to discuss your experience with planned and reactive maintenance, as well as any relevant qualifications like SMSTS. This will show that you’re not just a leader but also someone who understands the nitty-gritty of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in the past, especially in high-pressure situations. Think about times when you motivated others or resolved conflicts. VIVO values collaboration and clarity, so demonstrating your ability to lead by example will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Since you'll be liaising with clients and contractors, being able to communicate complex ideas simply is crucial. Consider doing mock interviews with friends or family to refine your communication style and ensure you come across as approachable and knowledgeable.
✨Understand Compliance and Safety Standards
Familiarise yourself with key compliance areas such as Legionella, Asbestos, and Health & Safety protocols. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve ensured safety and compliance in previous roles. This will demonstrate your commitment to VIVO’s Zero Harm initiatives and your readiness to take on responsibilities like Authorised Person roles.
