Area Property Operations Manager

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

The Chief Operating Officer Group works closely with the Home Offices policy and operational commands to enable us together to deliver the departments priorities.

The group is comprised of different teams and professional functions, including Commercial, Finance, People, Portfolio and Project Delivery, Security, Estates and Information and Digital, Data and Technology.

This is a high‑profile, fast‑paced operational role within a complex and diverse estate. Home Office Property Services (HOPS) provides expert facilities management (FM), property support and technical assurance across a wide range of operational environments, including offices, ports, airports, and secure facilities.

Area Property Operations Managers (APOMs) ensure the safe, compliant and effective operation of our estate through excellent supplier management, strong customer engagement, and high‑quality FM oversight. Working closely with internal clients, FM suppliers and technical teams, APOMs help deliver accommodation that enables the Home Office to function safely and effectively.

FM within government is a highly interdependent environment involving customers, suppliers, end users and specialist teams. The role requires resilience, sound judgement, technical understanding, and the ability to deliver at pace.

APOMs operate within the Regional Property Operations structure and may see their portfolio evolve over time to meet business demand, offering excellent development opportunities across the government estate.

APOMs are responsible for day‑to‑day contract delivery across a portfolio of properties, ensuring statutory compliance, safe environments, and high‑quality FM services. This includes regular assurance, supplier performance monitoring, customer engagement, budget oversight, and leadership of FM delivery.

You will use CAFM systems, digital property tools, MI reporting and on‑site inspections to assure performance, identify risks, validate delivery, and drive continuous improvement. You will also act as the first point of contact for internal customers, providing professional FM advice and ensuring that the supplier meets contractual and operational requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage day‑to‑day FM delivery across a regional portfolio, using CAFM data, MI, site inspections and supplier engagement to assure performance, quality and statutory compliance.
• Assure statutory, mandatory and contractual compliance, identifying risks and ensuring timely mitigation, escalation and closure of actions.
• Provide effective supplier and contract management, including performance scrutiny, issue resolution, EWNs/variations and value‑for‑money challenge.
• Act as the primary FM contact for customers, building strong relationships and ensuring services align with operational and strategic needs.
• Lead safety, assurance and audit activity, ensuring health & safety obligations and departmental standards are consistently met.
• Oversee FM‑related budgets, forecasting spends, challenging supplier costs and embedding value for money in decision‑making.
• Maintain insight into assets and building systems, using evidence to support operational decisions and continuous improvement.
• Provide leadership and support to Property Operations Managers and contribute to wider HOPS, sustainability and improvement initiatives.

Working Pattern

• This role is available on a full-time basis with the option of compressed hours working.

Travel Requirements

A full UK driving licence is required. This role involves regular travel (typically once or twice per week) across a regional portfolio. Some overnight stays may be required.

Essential criteria

Candidates must demonstrate:

• Significant experience in facilities management or property operations, including statutory maintenance, compliance and health & safety.
• Proven ability to manage FM suppliers and assure performance within an output‑based, multi‑site environment.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience managing complex customer relationships and competing priorities.
• Experience using CAFM and digital property systems to manage work orders, compliance data, audits and MI reporting.
• Sound technical understanding of building systems and the ability to interpret compliance and safety information effectively.
• Financial awareness, including budget oversight, cost challenge and delivering value for money.

Desirable criteria

• Experience delivering FM‑related projects, minor works or capital programmes.
• Experience working within regulated, security‑sensitive or operational environments.