Operations Manager

Operations Manager 
Serco: Maritime 
HM Naval base Portsmouth, Monday- Friday, Permanent

Circa £62,000 per annum plus car, bonus, and private medical insurance 

Serco has an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Operations Manager to join our team at Her Majesty’s Naval Base, Portsmouth.

In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for overseeing the operations of Serco Maritime Services Portsmouth, ensuring the effective delivery of services across the port. Reporting directly to the Head of Service Delivery Area (HoSDA), you will assume accountability for the management and operational readiness of maritime assets and associated infrastructure, while leading a workforce of around 100 Serco personnel across the Portsmouth site.

This position demands a commitment to operational excellence, safety, and continuous improvement in support of our maritime obligations.

Main accountabilities:

• Responsible for the safe and efficient operational performance of operations in a secure and ethical environment that complies with both Corporate and social responsibility.

• Direction and leadership of the Portsmouth Operations Cell in delivering Customer requirements in accordance with the MoD Schedule of Requirements.

• Leadership and performance management of approx. 100 Serco personnel.

• Developing direct reports through mentoring and coaching.

• Championing of cultural change.

• Operational integration of new tonnage

• Act as the daily on-site lead for stakeholder relationships at HM Naval Base Portsmouth, including Royal Navy / MoD Customers and commercial organisations.

• Assist in developing Serco’s presence in the Portsmouth area market and provide support to and engagement with local customers and industry.

• Actively champion health and safety across the Portsmouth site.

• Financial responsibility and accountability for delivery against Portsmouth Operational forecasts and budgets.

• Provision of Oil Pollution Response.

• Provide a direct link between site TU reps and senior management.

• Act as out of hours cover as part of a team and manage the out of hours roster.

• Acting as the lead for 3rd party income generation.

• Anything that is deemed reasonable by manager.

What you’ll need to do the role:

• Able to obtain and maintain appropriate Security Clearance. 

• Proven experience of running a single site operation and operating across public and private sector organisations (Maritime background desirable but not essential with proven experience)

• Experience of developing and executing successful plans in a complex service business to support strategy.

• Leadership of specialist and geographical dispersed teams, effectively communicating direction, developing talent and capabilities.

• Strong track record of supporting growth and financial performance in complex and demanding environments.

• Possess a solid understanding of the MoD and commercial marine market in which the contract operates, demonstrates knowledge of competitive forces, market and industry, with ability to apply insights into decision making.

• Evidence a track record in developing and implementing a strategy and plans to achieve success in service delivery and growth.

• Ability to create and communicate a compelling vision and sense of purpose that motivates teams at all levels.

• Demonstrate proven skills in building successful peer stakeholder relationships.

• Demonstrate an ability to network internally and externally and influence effectively to navigate complexity and deliver results.

• Have a drive for delivering a quality service, values positive customer feedback and understands how to improve operational effectiveness.

• Demonstrate a track record in leading transformational change in performance through operational improvement and strong leadership.

• Strong knowledge across all business functions, including finance, business development, people management and communications.

• Excellent analytical skills with an ability to assimilate information quickly, and communicate key messages simply and effectively to the business

Please note we will be holding an Assessment Centre on January 8th 2026 for eligible applicants.

What we offer: 

• Company Bonus

• Company car  

• Private Medical cover

• Salary: Competitive salaries with annual reviews

• Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme

• Holidays: 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays

• Purchase Annual Leave

• Training and development: We offer a wide range of learning opportunities with over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.

• Wellbeing: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, BUPA Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, Simplyhealth cash plans to claim back money towards healthcare costs, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres

• Discounts: Save across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel

• Employee networks: Dedicated networks where colleagues can come together to find support, share challenges, discuss ideas, network and be part of a community.

• Charity: Support a charity or organisation with a paid volunteering day each year. You can also choose to donate to your favourite charity tax-free, through our Payroll Giving Scheme.

To discover more about our careers in Defence, meet our team, and to find out more about what we offer, please follow this Link. We’re also a signatory of the UK Governments Women in Defence Charter, to find out more please click here.

Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens, we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. 

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such 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. As a proud Disability Confident Leader and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard, disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. 

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