About the job

Job summary

We are FCDO Services.  As part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), we work with government customers in the UK and overseas, providing a wide range of secure services, including logistics, construction, digital and security solutions. Our work is varied both in content and location: from building and maintaining embassies to hosting secure servers for government costumers; from providing logistics support to the British Government’s network of more than 250 diplomatic missions across 168 countries to delivering highly secure radar and communications installations for the Ministry of Defence.

Job description

We are seeking to appoint a Chief of Operations to support the business through its next exciting phase of operational development. Reporting to Mike Astell, the Chief Executive Officer, this role is accountable for the global delivery and continuous improvement of our secure property, technology and security projects and service management. As a Board member and Executive Director, the role holder will develop and implement the strategic framework, contribute to governance, and drive improvements in costumer, financial and delivery performance to maximise growth opportunities with the FCDO and wider market customers.

Person specification

The successful candidate will have strategic and operational leadership in a relevant international business, overseeing significant teams and resources. Commercially minded and customer-centric, candidates will bring experience delivering impactful, large-scale process and service improvement initiatives. Pragmatic and empowering they will know how to engage people and have the credibility to influence and develop strong relationships with external stakeholders.

Benefits

• 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 average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to FCDO Services on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference QXWC1. Alternatively, telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on 5th February 2024.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

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.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

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.