Ministry of Defence Guard Service - Operations Manager - Whitehall

MoD Main BuildingWhitehallLondonSW1A 2HBJob SummaryDo 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 Security Operations Manager to join our Gold Standard Security Service and play a crucial role to the business requiring resilience, alertness, and organisational skills. Due to the nature of the role and its high-profile locations, it is essential that our Security Operations Manager has a strong work ethic, great teamwork, customer service, communication, and management skills. We are looking for individuals who are willing to go above and beyond to support and manage security operations across the Defence estate. If you can demonstrate this from past or current experiences, we want to hear from you and see this detailed in your CV.To provide operational support in recruitment, training coordination, compliance, and performance management. The role ensures the smooth delivery of key processes, compliance with standards, and effective team support to maintain operational excellence.Job DescriptionThe 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: Integrity– Always do the right thing. Respect yourself and others. Treat people fairly. Vigilance and Preparedness– Keep careful watch for risks and incidents. Be ready to act. Professionalism– Know the job thoroughly. Seek continuous improvement. Maintain high standards. Helpfulness- Always be ready to assist people. Leave a lasting positive impression. 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 take a look at the Youtube Page using the link below:Working for the Ministry of Defence Guard Servicehttps://youtu.be/UrLfy2MZXpgKey Responsibilities:Recruitment and OnboardingCoordinate recruitment campaigns, including job postings, shortlisting, and interview scheduling.Conduct interviews in collaboration with panel members, ensuring a fair and transparent process.Facilitate onboarding processes to ensure a positive candidate experience and operational readiness.Maintain accurate recruitment records and liaise with the Central Recruitment Hub.Training CoordinationOrganise induction programmes and mandatory training for new starters.Maintain and update training records to ensure compliance with mandatory requirements.Support the delivery of specialist training programmes, such as Control Room Operations and X-Ray Machine Training.Compliance and StandardsAssist in maintaining compliance with NSI and other relevant regulatory standards.Support audits and reviews to ensure operational practices meet requirements.Provide guidance to staff on compliance-related matters.Performance and Data ManagementCollect, maintain, and report performance data to senior management.Conduct basic analysis of data to identify trends and areas for improvement.Ensure accurate and timely reporting of key performance metrics.Line ManagementProvide effective line management to AA and AO grade officers, including performance management, development, and wellbeing support.Conduct regular one-to-one meetings and appraisals to monitor progress and address issues.Foster a positive and inclusive team culture, promoting collaboration and professional growth.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.Key Responsibilities:Recruitment and OnboardingCoordinate recruitment campaigns, including job postings, shortlisting, and interview scheduling.Conduct interviews in collaboration with panel members, ensuring a fair and transparent process.Facilitate onboarding processes to ensure a positive candidate experience and operational readiness.Maintain accurate recruitment records and liaise with the Central Recruitment Hub.Training CoordinationOrganise induction programmes and mandatory training for new starters.Maintain and update training records to ensure compliance with mandatory requirements.Support the delivery of specialist training programmes, such as Control Room Operations and X-Ray Machine Training.Compliance and StandardsAssist in maintaining compliance with NSI and other relevant regulatory standards.Support audits and reviews to ensure operational practices meet requirements.Provide guidance to staff on compliance-related matters.Performance and Data ManagementCollect, maintain, and report performance data to senior management.Conduct basic analysis of data to identify trends and areas for improvement.Ensure accurate and timely reporting of key performance metrics.Line ManagementProvide effective line management to AA and AO grade officers, including performance management, development, and wellbeing support.Conduct regular one-to-one meetings and appraisals to monitor progress and address issues.Foster a positive and inclusive team culture, promoting collaboration and professional growth.Person specificationThe 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 ManagerEssential Experience:Proven experience in coordinating recruitment processes, including sifting, interviewing, and onboarding.Familiarity with organising and maintaining training records to ensure compliance.Exposure to compliance or regulatory environments, ensuring adherence to standards.Experience in collecting, analysing, and reporting performance data.Ability to work collaboratively within a team and manage competing priorities effectively.Desirable Experience:Experience in a security-focused or regulated environment.Exposure to delivering or coordinating specialist training programmes.Experience in supporting audits or compliance reviews.Essential Skills And Qualifications:Strong organisational and administrative skills, with excellent attention to detail.Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).Ability to manage data and produce basic reports to support decision-making.Desirable Skills And Qualifications:Knowledge of NSI standards or equivalent regulatory frameworks.Familiarity with specialist security training (e.g., X-Ray Machine Training).Relevant qualifications in administration, recruitment, or training (e.g., CIPD Level 3 or equivalent).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.Mandatory RequirementsThis is a Reserved Post open only to Sole UK Nationals (Cannot hold Dual Nationality)Security ClearanceYou will be able to start in post with SC clearance, however you must successfully obtain Developed Vetting (DV) clearance once in post (if not already held). During the period where you hold SC clearance, you will only perform elements of the role which fall under SC clearance. If your DV clearance application is unsuccessful, you may enter Restructuring, Redeployment or Redundancy.Working HoursMonday to Friday 37 hours per weekBehavioursWe'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:LeadershipCommunicating and InfluencingManaging a Quality ServiceDelivering at PaceDeveloping Self and OthersWe only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:LeadershipCommunicating and InfluencingAlongside 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.We enable our people to work at the right place, with the right people, at the right time. We believe that if we look after our people, they will be passionate about delivering great things for our customers.The MOD Discover My Benefits Page Lists The Full Set Of Benefits. Some Of The Many Benefits You Will Receive Include: A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%. A generous annual leave allowance.Ability to roll over up to 10 days annual leave (Pro-rated to your contracted hours) per year. Minimum of 15 Days Special Leave in a rolling 12-month period to for volunteer military or emergency service reserve commitments. Special Paid Leave for volunteering up to 6 days a year. Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave. Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing. Most sites have good travel links with free car parking; many also have other facilities such as a Sports & Social Club, Gym and Cafeterias and Shops. Entitlement to apply for a Blue Light and Defence Discount Cards Learning & DevelopmentProfessional and Personal Development of skills. Access to thousands of training courses through Civil Service Learning and Defence Learning Environment. Ability to obtain industry recognised qualifications supported by MGS.Free MGS Security UniformAs part of your induction, you will attend a two-week residential Foundation Security Course to support in achieving your objectives to a high standard.One of the elements of the Foundation Course is Emergency First Aid at Work, where you will learn key life skills in emergency first aidWhere business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.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.Selection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.At application stage you will be assessed against the following:Experience: CV including Job History and Previous Skills & Experience Personal Statement (500 Word Max)BehavioursLeadershipCommunicating and InfluencingBehaviours:At interview you will be assessed against the following:LeadershipCommunicating and Influencing Managing a Quality ServiceDelivering at PaceDeveloping Self and OthersApplication sifting is scheduled to take place on week commencing 24th of November 2025Interviews are due to take placer via Microsoft Teams and will be conducted week commencing Date 1st of December 2025A valid Passport is required to be shown at the interview stage to verify your identification.We want to offer opportunities to all who are successful at interview for our roles, but this isn’t always possible, so we do hold candidates on an active reserve list for 12 months. It is also possible that we may offer similar lower graded role/s to reserve candidates or, if no reserves are appointed, candidates that meet the lower grade criteria in merit order.Please note the above dates are subject to changeArtificial 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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.MedicalSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a medical.Nationality requirementsOpen to UK nationals only.Working for the Civil ServiceThe Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.Diversity and InclusionThe Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Contact point for applicantsJob Contact :Name : MGS Recruitment HubEmail : MGS-RH@mod.gov.ukRecruitment teamEmail : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3@mod.gov.ukFurther informationPlease ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.