At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Facilities Management services across multiple high-profile sites, ensuring safety and compliance.
- Company: Join a leading organisation dedicated to operational excellence in government facilities.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, mental health support, discounts, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a critical leadership role while driving continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: Degree in Facilities Management or related field; experience in multi-site operations preferred.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead the delivery of Facilities Management (FM) services across a complex, high profile government estate in Northern Ireland. This is a critical leadership role responsible for ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient operations across multiple sites, including operational policing environments. You will oversee Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM), reactive maintenance, statutory compliance, and contractor performance, ensuring services are delivered to the highest standards in line with NEC4 contract requirements. Working closely with the Senior Assets & Facilities Manager and wider contract leadership team, you will play a key role in driving operational excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement.
Key responsibilities
- Lead day to day FM operations across multiple sites
- Ensure planned (PPM), reactive and statutory maintenance is delivered effectively
- Manage and coordinate operational teams, contractors and supply chain partners
- Maintain safe, compliant working practices in line with legislation and contract requirements
- Oversee delivery of the 10 year PPM programme and drive a proactive maintenance approach
- Ensure all compliance activities (fire, gas, electrical, water, etc.) are completed and recorded correctly
- Manage reactive and out of hours maintenance to ensure service continuity
- Monitor performance against KPIs and SLAs, taking action to improve where needed
- Maintain accurate asset, maintenance and compliance records (via CAFM systems)
- Produce clear operational reports for senior management and the Client
- Lead and support teams, ensuring appropriate resources and performance standards
- Build strong relationships with Clients, site users and internal stakeholders
- Identify and manage risks, responding effectively to incidents and service disruptions
- Drive continuous improvement across FM operations
About You
Qualifications
- Degree (Level 5/6) in Facilities Management, Engineering, Building Services, or similar
- Professional membership (e.g. IWFM, CIOB, RICS, CIBSE) desirable
- Strong understanding of NI statutory compliance requirements
- Knowledge of ISO standards (9001, 14001, 45001, 50001)
Experience
- Proven experience managing FM operations in a complex, multi-site environment
- Strong background in PPM, reactive maintenance, and statutory compliance
- Experience managing contractors and supply chains
- Knowledge of SFG20, CIBSE TM31, and industry standards
- Experience within public sector or high security environments (desirable)
- NEC3/NEC4 contract experience (desirable)
Skills & Competencies
- Strong operational leadership and decision making
- Excellent technical FM knowledge
- Effective communication and stakeholder management
- Data driven and performance focused approach
- Problem solving and incident management capability
- Collaborative and team oriented mindset
What you'll deliver
- Safe, compliant and efficient FM operations across all sites
- High performing maintenance services aligned to contractual requirements
- Robust asset and compliance data supporting decision making
- Achievement of KPIs, SLAs and operational targets
- Strong client relationships and service excellence
What we offer
- Mental health & wellbeing support
- Employee Assistance Programme for personal, legal, and financial advice
- 24/7 virtual GP & lifestyle rewards
- Discounts for you & family
- Financial tools & retirement plan
- Cycle to Work & Paid volunteering day
Operations Manager employer: Sodexo Ltd
Contact Detail:
Sodexo Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the facilities management sector and let them know you're on the lookout for an Operations Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its operations. Familiarise yourself with their compliance standards and maintenance practices. This will help you showcase your knowledge and demonstrate how you can drive operational excellence in their specific environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to managing multi-site operations and contractor performance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your achievements.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find and apply for the Operations Manager position. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team and helps us keep track of your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in Facilities Management, especially in multi-site environments, and showcase your understanding of compliance and maintenance processes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to drive operational excellence.
Showcase Relevant Qualifications: Don’t forget to mention your qualifications! If you have a degree in Facilities Management or any relevant professional memberships, make sure they stand out in your application.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sodexo Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Facilities Management, especially around Planned Preventative Maintenance and statutory compliance. Familiarise yourself with the NEC4 contract requirements and be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed similar operations in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Operations Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've led teams effectively, managed contractors, and driven operational excellence. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since this role is performance-focused, be prepared to discuss how you've used data to monitor KPIs and SLAs in previous positions. Bring examples of reports you've produced and how they influenced decision-making or improved service delivery.
✨Build Relationships
Strong stakeholder management is key in this role. Think about how you've built relationships with clients and internal teams in the past. Be ready to share strategies you've used to maintain effective communication and collaboration across multiple sites.