MGS - Ministry of Defence Guard Service - Operations Manager

Job summary

Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Join the Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) to protect Defence from threats such as crime, terrorism, espionage, and sabotage by providing the highest quality of security services through professionalism, excellence, and trust.

We are looking for a Operations Manager to join our Gold Standard security service and provide a crucial role to the business requiring resilience, vigilance, and alertness. Due to the high profile and strategic locations of the sites we guard, it is essential our Operations Manager have a strong work ethic, great teamwork, customer service and communication skills and must be willing to go above and beyond to support security operations across the Defence estate. If you can demonstrate this from past or current experiences, we want to hear from you.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) provides high quality security services at over 170 MOD sites across the United Kingdom. The MGS has guarded the Defence Estate for over 30 years including high profile locations such as MOD Main Building in London, Whitehall and His Majesty’s Naval Bases at Portsmouth, Devonport, and the Clyde. We provide access control, military working dogs, control room operations and other security services. We play a vital role supporting the Defence Mission and work to protect the Defence estate and personnel from crime, terrorism, espionage, and sabotage threats.

The MGS has over 2,700 employees. MGS Security Officers are often the first point of contact for employees, visitors and contractors on sites and we pride ourselves on our professional, customer-focused culture. Behind our operational workforce is a range of head office roles which support our security professionals to develop and execute the organisations strategy, managing its budget and resources, leading, and developing our staff, maintaining relationships with stakeholders, monitoring and evaluating our performance and identifying new opportunities.

All are working towards our Vision to be recognised as an outstanding provider of security services and our five Values underpinning this Vision include:

1. Integrity – Always do the right thing. Respect yourself and others. Treat people fairly.

1. Vigilance and Preparedness – Keep careful watch for risks and incidents. Be ready to act.

1. Professionalism – Know the job thoroughly. Seek continuous improvement. Maintain high standards.

1. Helpfulness - Always be ready to assist people. Leave a lasting positive impression.

1. Teamwork – Working with colleagues who are collaborative, respectful, open and trustworthy, who are passionate about excellence and protecting Defence.

There are plenty of opportunities for development, access to funded professional qualifications and specialist training. We are a growing organisation with opportunities to progress your security careers and if you align with our Values, we’d love to hear from you!

For more information about MGS, please look on youtube using the links below:

Working for the Ministry of Defence Guard Service - https://youtu.be/UrLfy2MZXpg

Please note that the Duty Station is Abbey Wood. The role is to manage HMS Flying Fox and the Cotswold Centre in Corsham. Also at times, the post will be expected to support outlying satellite stations.

Person specification

The Operations Manager’s (OMs) main responsibility is to ensure that our security service is running smoothly to allow our operational employees to protect defence and be prepared for security incidents. As an Operational Manager you will manage Security Officer Supervisors ensuring they are supported to undertake the tasks to a high standard.

The key duties are as follows:

• Oversee and manage the daily operations of the security team at units, ensuring the correct use of physical and tactical resources to maintain operational preparedness for security incidents in line with local Joint Business Agreements/General Statement of Security Requirements (GSSORs).

• Lead physical security operations and set governance structures to appropriately meet the risk appetite to protect assets and people at sites.

• Build and maintain strong working relationships by liaising with unit customers and Heads of Establishments (HOEs) on a regular basis, ensuring excellent service delivery through pro-active problem solving and agreed prioritisation of tasks.

• Ensure all posts and tasks are risk assessed and all relevant policy and legislation is followed.

• Provide Head Office with data returns when requested regarding staffing levels, personal case work and audits, recording achievements of tasks, overtime, and other operational data.

• Collaborate with other security providers at the unit to provide a high-quality security service.

• Ensure National Security Inspectorate (NSI) compliance at all units within your Area of Responsibility (AOR), auditing paperwork, processes and amending or updating local documents when required.

• Review working patterns/rosters, Joint Business Agreements / General Statement of Security Requirement (GSSOR’s) and Assignment Instructions on an annual basis.

• Consult with Trade Unions on local changes.

• Act as a role model and actively encourage a positive and inclusive working environment.

• Carry out all MGS/MOD/Management Training including Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) to ensure effective understanding and management of Health and Safety within you Area of Responsibility (AOR).

• Option to be On-Call Duty Manager

All new starters will participate in a mandatory two-week residential Foundation Course, followed by on-the-job training. Additionally, we offer an annual programme of mandatory online training, along with a dedicated Workforce Development Team to support you with your training needs.

Essential Criteria

A background, or interest in the delivery of site security and / or can demonstrate experience in delivering customer service

Hold a Full UK Driving Licence - this is required due to the responsibilities of the role.

Working Hours

Monday - Friday 37 Hours

Licences

Full UK Driving License required due to nature of role

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,740, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,905 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual