Operations Manager

We are currently hiring for an Operations Manager to join a Public Private Partnership (PPP) team delivering student accommodation on a university campus in Hertfordshire.

The project covers the design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of a significant student residence portfolio across a long-term concession period.

The Operations Manager reports to the CEO and oversees the Project Admin and Marketing Manager functions within the core team. The role takes day-to-day ownership of service delivery across the estate, managing outsourced FM providers, asset performance, compliance, maintenance programmes, and stakeholder relationships.

Key responsibilities:

• Managing FM service partners and operational performance
• Ensuring statutory compliance, PPM delivery, and defect resolution
• Supporting lifecycle planning and improvement projects
• Monitoring PPP/PFI contractual obligations and governance requirements
• Managing budgets, reporting, and stakeholder communications
• Acting as key operational liaison with the university and other stakeholders
• Supporting ESG initiatives and responding to operational incidents as required

Essential:

• Background in Operations, Contracts, Estates, or Head of Services roles
• Experience in a PPP/PFI, FM, or complex estates environment
• Strong contractual and commercial awareness
• Proven facilities and asset management experience
• Ability to build effective relationships with universities, FM contractors, boards, and internal stakeholders

Desirable:

• Higher Education or student accommodation experience
• Social infrastructure or residential estates background
• Broader PPP/PFI exposure outside Higher Education

Package:

• Salary: Up to £56,000
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
• Location: Hertfordshire – hybrid, up to 2 days per week WFH
• Benefits: 25 days annual leave + bank holidays, life insurance scheme, pension scheme (up to 9% employer contribution), private medical (incl. dental and optical), EAP, salary sacrifice schemes, gym and retailer discounts, gym and retailer discounts

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