DBS-Estates North Regional Manager and Health, Safety & Environmental Protection Lead

Are you a dedicated person who is passionate about making a difference?

Would you like to work for the Ministry of Defence?

Defence Business Services (DBS) is one of the largest shared service organisations in Europe that provides a wide range of corporate services, to over 1.2 million end users, including serving and past military and families, as well as MoD civil servants and industry.

DBS delivers large scale administration and smaller specialist services to enable the wider MOD to focus on its core aims, maintaining the UKs Defence and Security. Services include Human Resources, Pay, Veterans, Finance and Procurement.

The 2025 2030 Corporate Plan came up with a new mission and vision which are now:

Vision

To be the best shared service centre in Government

Mission

Proudly delivering excellence in shared services, through customer centric solutions to enable Defence outcomes

DBS is committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues. We are building an inclusive culture and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society.

We want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us through opportunities to develop your skills and experience. We also offer a range of flexible working patterns and support to make a fulfilling career accessible to you and offer a Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%. Where your role permits, we support a blended working approach alternatively known as hybrid working.

DBS is part of The National Armaments Directorate (NAD) Group which is at the heart of delivering and sustaining the UKs defence capability. Bringing together organisations responsible for developing, procuring, supporting and modernising Defence equipment, infrastructure and services, the Directorate works closely with industry, international partners and academia to ensure the Armed Forces have the capabilities they need to deter threats, protect the nation and succeed on operations. NAD drives innovation, operational readiness and value for money while supporting economic growth and strengthening the UKs defence industrial base.

Between April & September 2027 the role you are applying for will move from Tomlinson House Norcross to the new MOD building at Station View, Talbot Gateway, Blackpool. For successful external/new candidates to DBS please note this post does not qualify for relocation allowances.

Come and join the DBS community today!

Exciting Leadership Opportunity Estates, Infrastructure, Physical Security and Health, Safety & Environmental Protection

We are seeking a dynamic, proactive, and self-motivated individual with strong leadership and collaboration skills, who is passionate about driving continuous improvement and delivering exceptional service and customer experience.

Reporting directly to the DBS Estates Assistant Head, the successful candidate will take full accountability for the effective management and delivery of DBS Estates, Infrastructure, Physical Security, and Safety, Health & Environmental Protection (HS&EP) functions across the North region. This includes leading the corporate DBS HS&EP team and overseeing policy-driven management systems, assurance processes, and comprehensive reporting activities.

You will lead and inspire a dedicated team of seven personnel located across two key DBS sites: Norcross and the Glasgow workspace at Kentigern House. Your role will be pivotal in fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement within Estates and HS&EP operations.

The ideal candidate will bring relevant knowledge and experience in one or more of these areas, coupled with the confidence and communication skills to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels, both internally and externally.

While the primary duty station is DBS Norcross, Blackpool, this role requires flexibility to travel as needed. The expectation is to spend at least 60% of your working time at Norcross, with a higher presence during the initial induction and learning phase. Further details regarding working arrangements can be discussed during the interview.

Please note: DBS Estates team is currently within an organisational restructure as we transition into the new National Armaments Directorate (NAD). This presents an excellent opportunity for the team, working with the same professions across other enabling organisations, whilst maintaining essential services to DBS. Additionally, the Norcross site will be closing, with a planned move to Station View in Blackpool town centre scheduled for May 2027.

A key initial responsibility for this role during the first 12 months will be to work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition to Station View. This includes establishing all listed Estates services at the new location and managing the orderly closure of the Norcross site.

If you are a driven self-starter eager to lead, innovate, and make a tangible impact during this exciting period of change, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities:

• Tactical and operational planning for DBS Estates in the North region, encompassing both business-as-usual activities and organisational change initiatives.
• Lead and collaborate with Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and industry partners to deliver efficient, effective hard and soft facilities management services across the DBS estate.
• Support operational requirements by scrutinising all Estates-related needs to ensure value for money and adherence to control totals; act as the focal point with delegated authority for Estates procurements via the Contracting, Purchasing and Finance (CP&F) system.
• Own and maintain the Site Business Continuity Plan, actively participating as a key stakeholder in incidents and exercises.
• Serve as the senior Estates lead and provide support to the DBS Head of Establishment at the Norcross site (Station View from May 27'), ensuring managed Estates and facilities management services underpin operational capability.
• Line manage the DBS Estates Projects role, overseeing delivery of function-focused projects related to operational change, continuous improvement, and the transition to new facilities.
• Lead the planning and execution of the transition from Norcross to Station View, including the establishment of all Estates services at the new location and the orderly closure of the Norcross site.
• Drive continuous improvement of all DBS Estates processes, including flexible resourcing across sites to maintain service excellence and support operational needs.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory, mandatory, and assurance reporting requirements related to Estates functions in the North region, including Health, Safety & Environmental Protection (HS&EP) and Physical Security.
• Oversee Physical Security to ensure the estate and supporting contracts operate within Defence policy frameworks.
• Collaborate closely with the DBS FCS Estates Regional Manager (South) and the Estates senior leadership team to promote coherence and best practice across national operations.

Corporate HS&EP Responsibilities:

• Hold delegated HS&EP management responsibility, ensuring DBS HS&EP planning, management systems, and governance comply with the Secretary of States HS&EP Policy Statement, DBS CEO Lines of Delegation, NAD Safety and Environment policy and systems, relevant JSPs, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and other applicable legislation and guidance.
• Manage the DBS Climate Change and Sustainability (CC&S) Plan, aligning DBS activities with the MOD Climate Change & Sustainability Strategic Approach and NAD.
• Oversee 1st Line of Defence (1LOD) assurance activities related to HS&EP.
• Lead governance activities including regular reporting and chairing or participating in organisational HS&EP meetings.
• Represent DBS interests as a member of relevant internal and external HS&EP committees, steering groups, and forums.
• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade and role as directed by the Line Manager

Leadership and Management

• Demonstrable excellent leadership skills with the ability to set clear direction, motivate, and empower personnel to work collaboratively towards shared objectives.
• Proven experience in making effective, evidence-based decisions and providing accurate, expert advice to a diverse range of stakeholders, including senior leadership.
• Experience in managing and developing teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and high performance.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Strong stakeholder management skills with a track record of building credible, trusted relationships at multiple organisational levels, both internally and externally.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, ...