Area Manager

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: Plymouth, to cover Helston, Warminster, Plymouth, Chivenor and Ilchester 

Permanent, full time

Salary: Competitive + Company Car/Car Allowance + Benefits

We are looking for an experienced and proactive Area Manager to lead the delivery of high-quality repairs, maintenance and property services across a defined service area. This is a key operational leadership role, responsible for ensuring excellent service delivery, strong performance management and positive customer outcomes.

You will take ownership of the day-to-day operational performance across the area, ensuring repairs, servicing, grounds maintenance and associated property services are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with agreed contractual standards. You will be responsible for achieving performance targets, managing resources effectively and ensuring health, safety and compliance requirements are consistently met.

Working closely with internal teams, customers, supply chain partners and key stakeholders, you will provide leadership, direction and support to ensure services are delivered to a high standard. You will manage specialist contractors and suppliers, ensuring they deliver value for money, maintain quality standards and meet agreed service levels.

You will oversee the operational management of the repairs service, including reactive repairs, planned works and out-of-hours provision, ensuring appropriate resource is in place to maintain continuity of service. You will monitor performance, review trends and use data and insight to identify improvements, resolve issues and enhance service delivery.

The role will include responsibility for financial and commercial performance, managing delegated budgets, monitoring spend and taking action to address any risks, overspends or opportunities for improvement. You will support business change initiatives and drive continuous improvement across the service area, identifying more efficient ways of working while maintaining excellent customer service.

A key part of your role will be leading and developing a high-performing team. You will create a positive, supportive culture where colleagues are encouraged to develop, take ownership and deliver their best work. You will manage performance effectively through clear objectives, regular reviews and constructive feedback, while supporting wellbeing and professional development.

You will also be responsible for managing complex repairs and ensuring customers and stakeholders receive clear, timely communication throughout the process. Building strong relationships with customers, partners and wider stakeholders will be essential to delivering a collaborative and effective service.

As part of your development, you will undertake training to become a Responsible Person for key compliance areas including Legionella and asbestos, supporting the safe management of property assets and ensuring ongoing compliance.

You will work from our High Wyciombe or Brize Norton sites (whichever is closer to you) with hybrid working available once probation has been passed.

About you

You will be an experienced operational leader with a background in repairs, maintenance, property services, facilities management or a similar customer-focused environment. You will have proven experience managing teams, contractors and service delivery performance, with the ability to balance operational priorities, customer expectations and commercial requirements.

You will be a confident communicator who can build strong relationships with customers, colleagues, suppliers and stakeholders at all levels. You will be able to influence, challenge and collaborate effectively to achieve shared goals.

Highly organised and commercially aware, you will have experience managing budgets, analysing performance information and using data to identify trends, risks and opportunities. You will be comfortable managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment and delivering results through effective planning and leadership.

You will demonstrate a commitment to safety, quality and continuous improvement, with the ability to motivate teams and create a culture of accountability, trust and collaboration.

This role is ideal for someone who is flexible, agile and solutions-focused, with a genuine passion for delivering excellent services and improving outcomes for customers.

What We Offer

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

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.