At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting projects in facilities management for the UK military and its partners.
- Company: Join VIVO, a dynamic company focused on innovation and customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car, 25 days leave, and a matched pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real difference for Armed Forces families while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and a relevant construction qualification are essential.
- Other info: Flexible working options available in a supportive and inclusive environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 48000 £ per year.
VIVO provides facilities management and accommodation maintenance for the UK military and its partners. VIVO embodies both experience and innovation.
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: Home Counties to cover sites in Oxford, Bicester, Wallingford, Aylesbury & Maidenhead. Permanent, 8am-5pm Monday-Friday. Salary: Up to £42,000 + Company car/Car allowance.
This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and ambitious Small Works Manager to play a key role in the wider Billable Works team, overseeing damp and mould programmes, minor works such as kitchens and bathrooms, and full internal refurbishments. You will be responsible for ensuring that all projects are delivered to the highest professional standards, meeting time, cost, and quality requirements, while always upholding Health & Safety and contractual obligations.
The Role:
- Lead on the day-to-day delivery of low-value, high-turnover works, managing teams of suppliers and contractors to deliver multiple programmes simultaneously.
- Take ownership of procurement activities, ensuring compliance with VIVO orders, procurement guidelines, UK legislation, and EU regulations.
- Develop briefs, specifications, procurement plans, and tender documents to manage projects through to completion, ensuring robust, transparent delivery aligned with contractual obligations.
- Monitor and manage monthly spend across projects, ensuring delivery within agreed budgets, timescales, and quality criteria.
- Ensure contractors deliver value for money while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction and adhering to VIVO's core values.
- Scope out works accurately, provide clear reporting on contract activities, and maintain comprehensive records that meet both internal and external requirements.
- Ensure full compliance with relevant policies, procedures, and legislation, including CDM Regulations and the Control of Asbestos Regulations.
- Manage risk proactively and ensure contractors are properly briefed to maintain a safe and professional delivery environment across all works.
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders, maintaining accommodation for Armed Forces families, and working closely with service families, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), supply chain partners, and internal teams.
- Ensure customers remain informed, supported, and satisfied with the outcome of works from project initiation to post-completion handover.
What You'll Bring:
- Proven experience in project and contract management, ideally within the housing or construction sector.
- Confidence in supervising contractors and suppliers, managing term contracts, and resolving issues around contract or project delivery.
- Excellent customer service skills, strong analytical abilities, and the ability to produce concise reports.
- A solid technical foundation with evidence of competence in successful project management and an industry-recognised qualification in a relevant construction, contract, or property-related subject.
- A good general education, evidence of continued professional development, and experience with compliance and Health & Safety.
- Qualifications such as SMSTS are highly desirable.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office packages, including MS Project, to manage workloads, track progress, and analyse performance.
This role is ideal for a technically capable manager who thrives in a fast-paced, high-turnover environment and takes pride in delivering high-quality projects that make a real difference to service users. With excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills, you will not only deliver successful outcomes but also build trust, collaboration, and long-term value across the projects you manage.
To be considered for this role you must have a full UK driving licence and be able to pass SC Clearance.
What We Offer:
- 6% employee matched pension contribution
- 25 days annual leave
- Single private medical cover
- Life assurance 2x annual salary
- Company car/car allowance
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.
Small Works Manager - Home Counties in High Wycombe employer: VIVO Defence
Contact Detail:
VIVO Defence Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Small Works Manager - Home Counties in High Wycombe
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. 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 VIVO and understanding their core values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission of putting customers and families first. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You want to be able to clearly articulate your skills and experiences that make you the perfect fit for the Small Works Manager role. Keep it concise and impactful—first impressions matter!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the VIVO team.
We think you need these skills to ace Small Works Manager - Home Counties in High Wycombe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Small Works Manager role. Highlight your project management experience, especially in housing or construction, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the role and how your values align with VIVO's core principles of being open, caring, agile, and collaborative.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your work history, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to manage projects effectively. Use numbers and examples to show how you’ve delivered projects on time and within budget.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at VIVO Defence
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your project and contract management knowledge, especially in the housing or construction sector. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've managed, focusing on how you ensured compliance with Health & Safety regulations and delivered on time and within budget.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Small Works Manager, you'll be leading teams of contractors and suppliers. Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in high-pressure environments. Think about times when you resolved conflicts or motivated your team to achieve great results.
✨Emphasise Customer Service
VIVO puts customers and families first, so be prepared to talk about your approach to customer service. Share experiences where you maintained strong relationships with stakeholders and ensured customer satisfaction throughout a project. Highlight any feedback you've received from clients that showcases your commitment to service.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect questions that test your technical knowledge, especially around procurement activities and compliance with UK legislation. Brush up on relevant regulations like CDM and Control of Asbestos. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just a manager but a knowledgeable professional in your field.