Operations Manager - Salvage And Marine Operations

Are you excited by the prospect of working with industry leading subsea technology? If so, this could be the ideal opportunity for you.

We are seeking an Operations Manager to join our Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Team, a key component of the broader SALMO (Salvage and Marine Operations) department.

An AUV is a robot that navigates underwater without constant operator input. You'll be at the helm of delivering a unique survey capability in support of both SALMO and wider Ministry of Defence (MOD) objectives.

You'll spearhead the delivery and engineering maintenance of in-service support for the AUV capability, aligning with customer requirements and the in-service delivery plan and schedule. This includes overseeing the mobilisation and demobilisation activities of the capability.

Leveraging your expertise in supply and demand, contract management and project management, you'll orchestrate a cross functional team and other stakeholders to deliver effective integrated and coordinated support throughout the life cycle of the project.

You'll resolve problems and deliver a range of time-sensitive outputs. Building robust relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders will be crucial, all while ensuring your actions bolster military front-line operations. With a pro-active mindset and a dedication to continuous improvement, you'll interpret management information to provide valuable insights that enhance our collective performance. By fostering a culture of learning from experience, encouraging imaginative thinking, and challenging the status quo, you'll drive us towards improved quality.

Our SALMO team leads the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in providing marine Salvage and emergency response. Our specialists including Master Mariners, Marine Engineers, Naval Architects, Environmental Scientists, Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) Pilots and Divers, form a hub expertise for subsea activities and Marine Operations. Our operations are varied ranging from salvage assistance to damaged surface vessels, location of aircraft on the sea-bottom, surveying WWII wrecks, towing warships, and submarines, conducting emergency preparedness exercises and providing underwater engineering support to resolve defects on Navy platforms both domestically and abroad. We offer thrilling opportunities for global travel, recently sending our experienced team on deployments including Singapore, Japan, and Bahrain.

Please be advised that this post is based at a location within 10 miles of MOD Abbey Wood.

At DE&S, we champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration, normally 3 days per week, alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

What you'll be doing

• Ensuring appropriate governance arrangement for the delivery of the capability is in place and aligned with DE&S, contract, and reporting requirements.
• Managing in-service support contracts and ensuring key performance indicators (KPIs) are met by suppliers
• Managing resource and finance, monitor spending against forecast and provide budget updates on a regular drumbeat, to ensure the capability is kept within budget. Assist with annual budgetary forecasts.
• Asset management and maintenance activities for the capability
• Ensuring the most cost-effective and efficient means of delivery, whilst leading and mitigating on risk management activities and leveraging opportunities.
• Leading the development of business cases, and manages assurance, endorsement, and approvals through the appropriate channels.
• Monitoring the delivery progress of multiple activities across the capability schedule.
• Line managing two Shore side Engineers.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following Essential criteria:

• Experience of undertaking Operations Management work or associated disciplines (Project Management, Supply Chain, Engineering, Business Management, Through Life Support).
• Background/knowledge of Engineering.
• Accomplished in stakeholder and relationship management, both internal and external and at all levels.
• Proficient in the skills of leading a team.
• Experience of managing contracts and budgets

Desirable Criteria:

• Demonstrable capability in supporting autonomous or complex systems.

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Service Delivery Management - Practitioner Level
• Stakeholder Management - Practitioner Level
• Delivering at pace - CSBC3
• Making effective decisions - CSBC3

Benefits

• 25 days' annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King's birthday
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 27%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you're looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you'll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of - and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.