The DSTL SSG Site Manager will be responsible for the effective management, coordination, and delivery of security and operational services at Porton Down and Portsdown West in collaboration with the Security Services Group (SSG). The role ensures that all site activities are conducted safely, securely, and in compliance with organisational policies, procedures, and relevant legislation. The Site Manager will act as the primary point of contact for all site-related security and operational matters, ensuring the smooth running of services, effective stakeholder engagement, and the delivery of high-quality support to meet the needs of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. This role requires a minimum on-site attendance of 60% of the working week at DSTL Porton Down. Key Responsibilities include: Site Security Management: Oversee and manage all security operations at the DSTL Porton Down, ensuring compliance with MOD security policies and procedures. Implement and maintain robust security measures to protect personnel, assets, and sensitive information. Conduct regular security assessments, audits, and inspections to identify and address vulnerabilities. Act as the primary point of contact for security incidents, coordinating responses and investigations as required. Operational Management: Manage and coordinate the delivery of SSG services, including facilities management, logistics, and other support functions. Ensure the site operates efficiently and effectively, meeting the needs of DSTL and other stakeholders. Monitor and maintain the SSG infrastructure, ensuring it is fit for purpose and compliant with health, safety, and environmental regulations. Health, Safety, and Compliance: Ensure all site activities comply with health, safety, and environmental legislation, as well as organisational policies and procedures. Promote a strong safety culture across the site, providing training and guidance to staff as required. Conduct regular risk assessments and implement measures to mitigate identified risks. Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the primary SSG point of contact for DSTL site users, contractors, and other stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and collaboration. Build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including DSTL leadership, SSG teams, and external contractors. Respond to and resolve site-related issues or concerns in a timely and professional manner. Team Leadership and Management: Lead and manage a team of SSG staff and contractors, providing clear direction, support, and performance management. Ensure staff are adequately trained and equipped to carry out their roles effectively. Foster a positive and inclusive working environment that encourages teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement. Planning and Reporting: Develop and implement site management plans, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and priorities. Monitor and report on site performance, including key metrics such as security, safety, and customer satisfaction. Identify and implement opportunities for improvement, driving efficiencies and enhancing service delivery Budget and Resource Management: Manage site budgets, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and expenditure is controlled. Oversee procurement and contract management for site-related services and supplies. Person specification Essential Skills, Experience, Qualifications, Memberships & Licences Proven experience in site or facilities management, preferably within a defence, scientific, or technical environment. Strong knowledge of security operations and MOD security policies and procedures. Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop staff. Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships at all levels. Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, resources, and contracts effectively. Knowledge of health, safety, and environmental regulations, with experience conducting risk assessments and audits. Problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure. Desirable Skills, Experience, Qualifications, Memberships & Licences Experience working within the Ministry of Defence (MOD) or a similar organisation. Knowledge of DSTL operations and objectives. Relevant qualifications in security management, facilities management, or health and safety (e.g., NEBOSH, IOSH). Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Working Together Leadership Managing a Quality Service Delivering at Pace We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Working Together Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Electronic Security Installation - Practitioner Benefits Alongside your salary of 37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes 10,927 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Generous Annual Leave : 25 days annual leave increasing by one day per year to a maximum of 30 days after five years of service. A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% Career Development : Benefit from continuous professional development opportunities within the security field, helping you grow and advance your career. Equipment : Toolkit, laptop and mobile phone. Family Support : Access enhanced parental leave policies to support work-life balance during important life events. Exclusive Discounts : Enjoy savings through the Defence Discount Service (fees apply), offerings deals on a range of products and services. Health and Wellbeing : Receive Specsavers eye test vouchers and access on-site gym facilities (where available). Community and Social Perks : Join the Civil Service Sports Club (CSSC) or the Civil Service Club in London, providing access to a variety of social, cultural, and recreational activities (membership fees apply). On-Site Amenities : Many of our locations offer free parking, subsidised canteens, sports and social clubs, and on-site shops for your convenience. Inclusive Workplace : Join one of our Diversity and Inclusion Networks. We value diversity and are committed to creating an equal and supportive environment for all. Where 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. Things you need to know Artificial intelligence Artificial 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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. At application, you will be assessed against the following: CV including job history, qualifications, previous skills and experience Personal Statement (250 words) Behaviours: Working Together Technical Skills: Electronic Security Installation (Practitioner) At interview, you will be assessed against the following: Experience Behaviours: Working Together Leadership Managing a Quality Service Delivering at Pace Technical Skill: Electronic Security Installation (Practitioner) What to Expect: The interview will explore both your professional experience and how your Behaviours align with the role's requirements, we recommend using the STAR format when answering Behaviour questions. Interviews are planned to take place Face to Face at the Defence Academy, Shrivenham. Artificial 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. Security 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. 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. 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 Inclusion The 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). Apply and further information 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 applicants Job contact : Name : Stephen Hughes, Team Leader Email : stephen.hughes447@mod.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk Further information Please 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. Attachments 20241001_Single Skills Framework SSG v1.0-O (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 141kB) Army candidate pack Opens in new window (pdf, 3932kB)