Length of employment: Job Summary: About the Defence Infrastructure Organisation Do you want to work for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and play a key role in keeping our country safe through caring for the Defence estate and those that depend on it? DIO manages the Defence estate, one of the UK's largest and most diverse property portfolios, enabling the armed forces and Defence civilians to live, work, train and deploy. From net carbon-zero accommodation to runways for the F35 fighter jets, our outputs are unique in the UK and across the globe! About DIO Regional Delivery Regional Delivery (RD) is a large, complex, and geographically dispersed operation within DIO covering circa. 58,000 assets, across over 500 sites and 275,000 Ha of freehold and leasehold estate in the UK and a further 580,000 Ha overseas; with a multitude of £multi-million contracts to manage. We deliver soft and hard FM services - building, maintaining and servicing - across the majority of MODs built assets in the UK and overseas; hard and soft FM services across MODs Training Estate, including feeding, accommodation, range bookings, targetry support, management of the rural training estate and tenanted estates; administration of UK and Overseas utility contracts, bill payments, and recoveries; and management of the USVF Built Estate comprising c.4503 assets. Summary of the Role The Private Finance Initiative was a procurement method which used private sector investment to deliver public sector infrastructure and/or services according to a specification defined by the public sector. It is a sub-set of a broader procurement approach termed public-private partnership, with the main defining characteristic being the use of a programme finance (using private sector debt and equity, underwritten by the public) to deliver the public services. There are several infrastructure Private Finance Initiatives (PFIs) that are expiring in the coming years and DIO has committed to respective Top Level Budget holders (TLBs) to support the exit and re-provision of services, in line with the Infrastructure Operating Model. The expiring PFI contracts have been grouped into phases. Phase 1 PFI contracts have expired, and new arrangements are already in-service. The remaining PFI contracts within DIO's remit to exit and/or re-provide services are split into the following phases, according to service type and time of expiry. Phase 2 relates to water, wastewater, and sewerage (Aquatrine); Phase 3 and Phase 4 are FM services. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Job Description: The Deputy Head of Portfolio Transition would be responsible to the Head of Portfolio Transition for phase 3 and 4 FM services. The services to be provided include Hard FM (HFM) and Soft FM (SFM) services, accommodation services, and a range of non-core service requirements. The PFI contracts vary between establishments, as do the services provided. In addition to the above, the DH Portfolio Transition will support the programme team to ensure successful procurement, mobilisation, and transition into the new Defence Soft FM provisions, replacing Hestia arrangements. The seven regional 'Hestia' contracts which provide Soft FM services (including catering) across the UK were awarded between 2017 and 2019 for a minimum of 5 and maximum of 7 years. These are supplemented in certain areas where Soft FM support is delivered through DIO managed PFIs. The Hestia contract offers extensive Soft FM services to a substantial segment of the UK's defence personnel. Operating as 7 UK regional contracts, with approximately 600 establishments, it serves notable military training sites. It also provides services to the smallest of Armed Forces Careers Offices (AFCO), The Reserve Forces and Cadet Association (RFCA) locations and supports all of the Front Line Commands (FLC) major headquarters and operational stations. Through this contract, DIO and our Industry Providers enable support to most TLBs major and minor establishments across the UK. In recent years, Hestia has been agile enough to incorporate more reserve forces sites and other significant Soft FM contracts at Defence Science and Technical Laboratories (DSTL) and Abbey Wood sites. Services include catering, retail and leisure, cleaning and associated services, waste management, accommodation and mess services, FM services. The post holder is responsible for ensuring customer focus across a large scale, diverse and technically complex infrastructure portfolio. They will be required to build strong stake holder relationships and be a key interface between the customers and DIO, providing effective and reliable estate management advice. The role with include, but not be limited to, the following: Provide strong leadership, motivation and empowerment by enabling common goals and vision. Inspire people and develop their capability, as well as driving a culture of teamwork, high performance and continuous improvement. Influence and manage the operating environment into which the project(s) outcomes will be delivered, including relationships with key stakeholders, business owners and other project sponsors. Ensure that the Programme Management Office assures/provides a standardised and consistent level of quality and reliability of services to all customers. Ensuring that the activities relating to performance and reporting for the delivery of projects/services in the TLB portfolios are to a Government and Industry standard. Responsible for the effective management, interfaces and relationships with Industry Partners, customers, DIO functional areas and external organisations on matters affecting the programmes which may impact upon the reputation and integrity of the organisation. Development of high quality written and verbal communications and briefings for stakeholders. Responsible for the management of strategic risks and issues in the operating environment and be aware of all high-level risks and issues affecting the project(s). Ensure appropriate mitigation plans are developed and followed through. Ensure that the value of predicted benefits exceeds the cost and risks of achieving them, referring any significant concerns regarding the business case and/or value for money to the Head of Portfolio Transition. Ensure that appropriate opportunities and innovations are identified and incorporated in the delivery model. Ensure appropriate governance is implemented in line with departmental guidance, and that the project(s) maintains its business focus. Demonstrate an evidence-based approach to decision making, providing the credibility to be seen as a trusted provider. Ensure that the project teams support the development of future contract requirements for PFI and Soft FM to provide a contracting mechanism that is most suitable for the customers' operational requirement within the affordability envelope, and provides optimum service levels. Support the DIO transformation by delivering change to create a customer focused delivery capability and deliver effective communications in support of wider DIO and MOD initiatives. Lead on the development of robust transition plans/process to ensure streamlined handover of service provision. Specify the requirements to procure non-discretionary, enduring, core and non-core FM services at high-profile establishments of strategic importance to Defence. Assure efficient and effective delivery of contracted services through appropriate systems, checks and balances. 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 employer contribution of 28.97% Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this 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. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their experience and skills against the following essential criteria: Able to demonstrate taking authority and responsibility for project delivery; whilst providing clear leadership and direction throughout the life of a project. Track record of successfully leading large scale operational infrastructure contracts, with evidence of building and empowering high performing teams, in a complex and dynamic environment. Demonstrate customer focus and an ability to successfully collaborate at all levels; evidence of working with a broad range of senior stakeholders with the impact to influence effectively, in private and public sector environments. Hold or be willing to work towards an appropriate professional accreditation relating to infrastructure/programme management e.g. RICS, IWFM, CEng, MAPM. Experience of building effective relationships with key strategic stakeholders, with a strong track record for demonstrating excellent written and verbal communication skills. At application, candidates will be scored against the following elements: CV Personal Statement CS Behaviours: Leadership At interview, candidates will be assessed against the following CS Behaviours: Seeing the Big Picture Managing a Quality Service Communicating and Influencing Making Effective Decisions Working Together Interviews will be held face to face at DIO HQ, Whittington during the week commencing 9 June 2025 (subject to change). 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: 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