Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) - Area Operations Manager
| Posting date: | 16 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £37,720 per year, pro rata |
| Additional salary information: | A pension contribution of 28.97% based on the listed salary |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 15 January 2026 |
| Location: | MOD Abbey Wood, Filton, Bristol, BS34 8JH |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Ministry of Defence |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 438774 |
Summary
The Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) provides high quality security services at over 170 MOD sites across the United Kingdom. The MGS has guarded the Defence Estate for over 30 years including high profile locations such as MOD Main Building in London, Whitehall and His Majesty’s Naval Bases at Portsmouth, Devonport, and the Clyde. We provide access control, military working dogs, control room operations and other security services. We play a vital role supporting the Defence Mission and work to protect the Defence estate and personnel from crime, terrorism, espionage, and sabotage threats.
The MGS has over 2,700 employees. MGS Security Officers are often the first point of contact for employees, visitors and contractors on sites and we pride ourselves on our professional, customer-focused culture. Behind our operational workforce is a range of head office roles which support our security professionals to develop and execute the organisations strategy, managing its budget and resources, leading, and developing our staff, maintaining relationships with stakeholders, monitoring and evaluating our performance and identifying new opportunities.
All are working towards our Vision to be recognised as an outstanding provider of security services and our five Values underpinning this Vision include:
Integrity – Always do the right thing. Respect yourself and others. Treat people fairly.
Vigilance and Preparedness – Keep careful watch for risks and incidents. Be ready to act.
Professionalism – Know the job thoroughly. Seek continuous improvement. Maintain high standards.
Helpfulness - Always be ready to assist people. Leave a lasting positive impression.
Teamwork – Working with colleagues who are collaborative, respectful, open and trustworthy, who are passionate about excellence and protecting Defence.
There are plenty of opportunities for development, access to funded professional qualifications and specialist training. We are a growing organisation with opportunities to progress your security careers and if you align with our Values, we’d love to hear from you!
For more information about MGS, please look on youtube using the link below:
Working for the Ministry of Defence Guard Service - https://youtu.be/UrLfy2MZXpg
As the Area Operations Manager for MGS, you will have Operational Managers as direct reports, assisting you with the operational requirements at the units where MGS Security Officers are based. Your main responsibility is to lead in all aspects of operational delivery for your Area of Responsibility (AoR) ensuring the required security tasking is delivered to a high standard and visiting these sites on a regular basis which may include overnight stays.
The key duties are as follows:
Responsible for leading audit and assurance throughout the MGS footprint to support and maintain the NSI Gold Standard.
Maintaining an appropriate level of visibility within the AoR and implement good communication regimes.
Deal promptly with complaints and HR casework, ensuring all Operational Managers (OMs) are following MOD Policy in taking care of absence, recruitment, complaints, and misconduct.
Review and authorise unit Joint Business Agreements (JBAs) and working patterns/rosters within AoR on an annual basis.
Ensure that accurate and efficient use is made of the Department's resources by implementing and conducting an effective system of audit and assurance including the accuracy of performance and output returns.
Ensure service delivery is maintained at agreed levels and provide regular assurance to the Regional Manager by communicating with OMs and reviewing the information entered on the Performance and Operational Reporting Tool (PORT) and operational output returns.
Maintaining operational output returns and continual maintenance of the Multi Tracking Tool (MTT) on a weekly/monthly basis.
Ensuring effective Employee Relations within AoR, engaging, and working with the recognised Trades Unions, involving, and consulting with them as appropriate.
There is an on-call process that covers the Regional Operational Area, this is an additional task that is optional to the successful candidate.
Please note, candidates will be redirected to the Civil Service Jobs website where you will need to submit your application form. Please note the closing date above is incorrect and cannot be amended so please check the closing date on Civil Service Jobs and allow enough time to submit your application form.
The MGS has over 2,700 employees. MGS Security Officers are often the first point of contact for employees, visitors and contractors on sites and we pride ourselves on our professional, customer-focused culture. Behind our operational workforce is a range of head office roles which support our security professionals to develop and execute the organisations strategy, managing its budget and resources, leading, and developing our staff, maintaining relationships with stakeholders, monitoring and evaluating our performance and identifying new opportunities.
All are working towards our Vision to be recognised as an outstanding provider of security services and our five Values underpinning this Vision include:
Integrity – Always do the right thing. Respect yourself and others. Treat people fairly.
Vigilance and Preparedness – Keep careful watch for risks and incidents. Be ready to act.
Professionalism – Know the job thoroughly. Seek continuous improvement. Maintain high standards.
Helpfulness - Always be ready to assist people. Leave a lasting positive impression.
Teamwork – Working with colleagues who are collaborative, respectful, open and trustworthy, who are passionate about excellence and protecting Defence.
There are plenty of opportunities for development, access to funded professional qualifications and specialist training. We are a growing organisation with opportunities to progress your security careers and if you align with our Values, we’d love to hear from you!
For more information about MGS, please look on youtube using the link below:
Working for the Ministry of Defence Guard Service - https://youtu.be/UrLfy2MZXpg
As the Area Operations Manager for MGS, you will have Operational Managers as direct reports, assisting you with the operational requirements at the units where MGS Security Officers are based. Your main responsibility is to lead in all aspects of operational delivery for your Area of Responsibility (AoR) ensuring the required security tasking is delivered to a high standard and visiting these sites on a regular basis which may include overnight stays.
The key duties are as follows:
Responsible for leading audit and assurance throughout the MGS footprint to support and maintain the NSI Gold Standard.
Maintaining an appropriate level of visibility within the AoR and implement good communication regimes.
Deal promptly with complaints and HR casework, ensuring all Operational Managers (OMs) are following MOD Policy in taking care of absence, recruitment, complaints, and misconduct.
Review and authorise unit Joint Business Agreements (JBAs) and working patterns/rosters within AoR on an annual basis.
Ensure that accurate and efficient use is made of the Department's resources by implementing and conducting an effective system of audit and assurance including the accuracy of performance and output returns.
Ensure service delivery is maintained at agreed levels and provide regular assurance to the Regional Manager by communicating with OMs and reviewing the information entered on the Performance and Operational Reporting Tool (PORT) and operational output returns.
Maintaining operational output returns and continual maintenance of the Multi Tracking Tool (MTT) on a weekly/monthly basis.
Ensuring effective Employee Relations within AoR, engaging, and working with the recognised Trades Unions, involving, and consulting with them as appropriate.
There is an on-call process that covers the Regional Operational Area, this is an additional task that is optional to the successful candidate.
Please note, candidates will be redirected to the Civil Service Jobs website where you will need to submit your application form. Please note the closing date above is incorrect and cannot be amended so please check the closing date on Civil Service Jobs and allow enough time to submit your application form.