UK Ministry of Defence
Army Welfare Service - Senior Business Operations Manager
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Aldershot, GU11 2JN
We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspaces will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuring you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently – we expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation. However, recognising the benefits of face to face working, especially for new joiners, there is an expectation that you would be in the office at least 60% of the time (3 days a week).
Job Summary
The Senior Business Operations Manager (SEO) is the senior staff officer within Headquarters Army Welfare Service (HQ AWS), working directly to the Commanding Officer AWS. The Business Support function is responsible for the effective coordination of corporate activity, governance, resources and business operations across AWS.
The role provides strategic oversight of workforce planning, civilian recruitment, HR coordination, finance, contracts, information management and business support services, ensuring that organisational resources are aligned to support the delivery of Army Welfare Service outputs and Army operational effectiveness. Acting as a trusted deputy to the Commanding Officer, the post holder works closely with senior leaders, Area Teams and external stakeholders to drive performance, continuous improvement and organisational effectiveness.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job Description
Main Role Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage the HQ AWS Business Support function, ensuring the effective delivery of corporate services, governance and administrative support across the organisation.
- Act as principal adviser to the Commanding Officer AWS on business operations, workforce management and organisational performance, deputising and representing the organisation when required.
- Maintain oversight of the AWS establishment, coordinating workforce planning, civilian recruitment activity and HR-related matters to ensure organisational capability and compliance.
- Direct the management of business resources, including finance, procurement, contracts, travel, training, information management and IT support arrangements.
- Develop and implement efficient business processes, driving continuous improvement and modernisation to enhance organisational effectiveness and service delivery.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring coordinated activity, effective communication and delivery of organisational priorities.
Main Role Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the HQ AWS Business Support function, ensuring the effective delivery of corporate services, governance and administrative support across the organisation.
- Act as principal adviser to the Commanding Officer AWS on business operations, workforce management and organisational performance, deputising and representing the organisation when required.
- Maintain oversight of the AWS establishment, coordinating workforce planning, civilian recruitment activity and HR-related matters to ensure organisational capability and compliance.
- Direct the management of business resources, including finance, procurement, contracts, travel, training, information management and IT support arrangements.
- Develop and implement efficient business processes, driving continuous improvement and modernisation to enhance organisational effectiveness and service delivery.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring coordinated activity, effective communication and delivery of organisational priorities.
Person specification
Essential Skills Required
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- Demonstrable leadership experience, with the credibility and confidence to influence senior stakeholders, provide strategic direction and act as an effective deputy to senior leaders.
- Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate complex activity and deliver outcomes within demanding timescales.
- Proven ability to analyse complex issues, exercise sound judgement and develop practical, evidence-based solutions in a dynamic environment.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience of building productive relationships across teams, functions and external organisations.
- Strong commitment to professional standards, integrity and confidentiality, with the ability to manage sensitive information appropriately and ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 applications, including SharePoint and Microsoft Teams, with experience of using digital collaboration and information management tools to support business operations.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Leadership
Alongside your salary of £46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,337 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).
The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.
Other Benefits For Army Civil Servants Include
- 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
- Highly competitive pension scheme
- Personal and professional development of skills
- Alternative working patterns for many roles
- Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
- Enhanced parental and adoption leave
- 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
Learning and Development
We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.
A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career.
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please Note:
- Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
- Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
- Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
- The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
- MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
- Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
At the application stage, you will be assessed against the following criteria, listed in priority order:
- Your CV - to include job history
- Personal Statement - of no more than 250 words detailing how you meet the essential skills criteria
- Behaviour - Making Effective Decisions
- Behaviour - Leadership
Where a large number of applications are received, an initial sift may be conducted against your CV only. The remaining evidence submitted at the application stage will be assessed only if you are successful at this initial sift.
At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following criteria, listed in priority order:
- Behaviour - Communicating and Influencing
- Job History / CV
- Behaviour - Seeing the Big Picture
- Behaviour - Making Effective Decisions
- Behaviour - Leadership
Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed and will be held in person. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
There may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all DCS candidates that meet the minimum criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as a high volume of applications, seasonal demand, or peak periods, the employer may wish to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both DCS and non-DCS applicants.
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where
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