Area Projects Lead

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: Wiltshire. Hybrid role

Permanent, Full time

Salary: Competitive

Are you an experienced project professional who can bring together people, customers, commercial performance and project delivery to make a real difference across the Defence estate? VIVO Defence is looking for an Area Projects Lead to take ownership of project delivery across a Service Delivery Area and lead a team responsible for delivering both the annual Billable Works programme and non-programmed projects.

This is a high-profile role where you’ll be the focal point for project delivery within your area, working closely with DIO Project Delivery Managers, TLBs, Heads of Establishment, operational teams and the supply chain to make sure projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to the standards expected across the Defence estate.

You’ll establish and lead a team of Project Managers, creating the structure, processes and culture needed to deliver a successful project programme. You’ll provide direction and support, develop your people through mentoring and coaching, and ensure the team has the skills, resources and capability required to deliver an evolving programme of work.

You’ll take responsibility for the delivery of Billable Works projects valued at £25k and above, ensuring they progress from initial requirement through procurement and construction to successful handover. You’ll make sure every project has a robust brief, specification, procurement plan and tender documentation, while ensuring programmes, milestones and stakeholder expectations are actively managed.

Working with DIO and other key stakeholders, you’ll use asset condition information and operational priorities to help shape future-year Billable Works programmes. You’ll also ensure Statements of Need are developed where required, helping translate the needs of the Defence estate into deliverable projects that support operational outputs.

Safety will be fundamental to your approach. You’ll set a Safety First culture across your team and supply chain, ensuring projects comply with statutory requirements, MOD Mandatory requirements, JSP standards, CDM, Control of Asbestos Regulations and VIVO policies. You’ll work closely with the Regional Project Lead and SW Project Compliance Officer to strengthen governance and ensure projects are delivered safely and profitably.

You’ll also have a strong commercial focus. You’ll manage the SDA budget and P&L, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and economically while protecting margins and supporting timely cash collection. You’ll monitor supply chain performance, maintain commercial control over milestones and payments, manage risks and provide regular updates on programme performance.

As a senior stakeholder within the area, you’ll build strong and collaborative relationships across VIVO and externally. You’ll provide clear progress reporting, act as an escalation point for supply chain queries and help resolve issues and complaints quickly and professionally. You’ll understand the operational priorities of each establishment and ensure project delivery supports the needs of the end user and wider Defence mission.

Sustainability will also be an important part of your role. You’ll identify opportunities to reduce carbon emissions during construction and across the lifecycle of assets, using JSP 850 to help support more sustainable solutions across the estate.

This is an opportunity to have a genuine influence on how VIVO delivers projects. You’ll help implement consistent approaches, improve processes, share best practice and ensure the customer-first culture is visible throughout your team and supply chain.

This role will require you to work from either Lyneham or Trenchard Lines at least 2 days per week in addition to site visits across the Wiltshire area (9 sites in total).

About You

You’ll be an experienced project or construction professional with a strong understanding of delivering multiple projects within a complex operational environment. You’ll have the confidence to lead Project Managers, manage competing priorities and take ownership for the performance of your area.

You’ll ideally hold an HNC or equivalent qualification in Building/Civil Engineering, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline, together with a recognised project management qualification such as PRINCE2 or APM. IOSH or an equivalent qualification and a full UK driving licence are also required.

Experience within an MOD or Defence environment would be highly advantageous, as would knowledge of MOD IT applications and experience working across a multi-site estate. NEBOSH, SMSTS, Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status, or membership of a relevant professional body would also be beneficial.

You’ll be commercially aware and comfortable managing budgets, P&L, supply chain performance, risk and programme milestones. You’ll know when to challenge, when to escalate and when to give your team the freedom to find their own solutions.

As a leader, you’ll be approachable and collaborative. You’ll trust your people, give them responsibility and coach them to succeed, rather than simply directing them. You’ll create an environment where people feel supported, accountable and able to develop their careers.

You’ll be proactive, organised and comfortable working in a changing environment. You’ll take ownership for your area, continually look for ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness, and understand how your work contributes to VIVO’s wider objectives.

Above all, you’ll be someone who can bring people together around a common goal and deliver results. If you’re ready to lead a project programme that directly supports the operational needs of the UK Defence estate, this is an opportunity to make a real impact.

What We Offer

• 6% employee matched pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave
• Bonus
• Private medical cover for self and partner
• Life assurance 2x annual salary
• Company car/Car allowance

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.