Operations Manager

Equans is looking for an Operations Manager to join the team in Birmingham on a permanent basis. This is a full-time role working 40 hours per week. On offer is a competitive salary, company vehicle or allowance, bonus and benefits package.

Reporting to the Senior Account Manager, the Operations Manager is responsible for the operational delivery and performance of Hard and Soft FM services across a portfolio of 17 PFI schools. The role ensures that all contractual obligations, service level agreements (SLAs), statutory requirements and customer expectations are consistently achieved whilst minimising performance deductions and maximising service excellence.

The postholder will provide leadership and direction to operational teams, including Performance Managers and the Soft Services Manager, ensuring effective management of frontline engineering, caretaking, cleaning and supervisory teams. The role requires strong operational leadership, organisational capability and commercial awareness rather than technical expertise, with a particular focus on performance management, workflow control, subcontractor management, customer relationships and continuous improvement.

Working closely with the Technical Compliance Manager and Lifecycle Manager, the Operations Manager will coordinate service delivery to ensure contractual compliance and operational efficiency across the estate.

There is a degree of complexity within this role, requiring a clear understanding of what is included—and excluded—within the client contract. The position also demands strong problem‑solving skills to address issues arising within the facilities, along with solid knowledge of educational compliance and safeguarding.

What will you deliver?

Lead delivery of integrated Hard and Soft FM services across a geographically dispersed school portfolio

Manage operational risk through proactive jeopardy identification, escalation and mitigation planning

Monitor, analyse and improve KPI, SLA and performance deduction trends

Develop, implement and continuously improve operational processes, controls and workflows

Ensure CAFM systems accurately support service delivery, reporting and performance management

Coordinate planned, reactive and lifecycle activities across multiple stakeholders and sites

Manage subcontractors and supply chain partners to ensure contractual and statutory compliance

Support the Technical Compliance Manager in the delivery of fabric, grounds and statutory compliance programmes

Coordinate operational support requirements for lifecycle activities

Lead incident response, business continuity and service recovery activities where required

Build strong relationships with clients, school leadership teams and key stakeholders

Drive a culture of accountability, customer focus and continuous improvement

Use operational data and management information to identify trends, risks and opportunities

Ensure service delivery supports safeguarding principles and minimises disruption to teaching and learning environments

Lead and implement operational change initiatives, embedding new processes, systems and ways of working What can we offer you?

On offer is a competitive salary, car or car allowance, bonus and benefits package, which includes;25 days annual leave (+ public holidays)
Life Cover equivalent to 2 times annual salary

Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers

Gym membership discounts Cycle to work scheme Holiday purchase scheme2 corporate social responsibility days per year Broad range of learning opportunities, such as professional qualifications, collective/individual training, and personalized support programmes

Attractive Employee Referral Rewards Scheme Access to our growing employee networks including Access Ability (representing those with physical and mental disabilities), Encompass (representing the LGBTQ+ community), RISE (representing people from ethnic backgrounds), WOMEN TOGETHER (representing women in Equans), Working Parents, and Young Professionals.
24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing appWho are we looking for?

Significant operational management experience within Facilities…