Assistant Base Operations Manager - Living & Working Services

We have a new and exciting opportunity for an experienced Assistant Base Operations Manager - Living & Working Services to join our Defence operations team.

Reporting directly to the Base Operations Manager, you will operate as the second-in-charge (2IC) for Living & Working Services, providing leadership across a diverse portfolio of essential support services that enable Defence personnel to live, work, and perform at their best.

About the Role

As the 2IC to the Base Operations Manager, you will support the leadership, coordination, and performance of Living & Working Services operations across the base. You will provide day-to-day oversight of service delivery teams, ensure contractual and compliance obligations are achieved, and contribute to strategic operational planning and decision-making.

This role requires a proactive leader who can build strong stakeholder relationships, drive accountability, and maintain service excellence across a complex and diverse operating environment. You will frequently act on behalf of the Base Operations Manager, providing leadership continuity and ensuring seamless operational outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

- Support the Base Operations Manager in the leadership and management of all Living & Working Services operations across the Defence estate.
- Act as the primary operational delegate and escalation point in the absence of the Base Operations Manager.
- Provide leadership and direction across Hospitality & Catering, Accommodation, Cleaning, Laundry, Transport, Fitness Centres, and Pest Control services.
- Drive operational performance, service excellence, compliance, and customer satisfaction outcomes across all service streams.
- Lead workforce planning, resource allocation, labour utilisation, and service continuity to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
- Support budget management, productivity initiatives, contract performance objectives, and continuous improvement programs.
- Maintain compliance with WHS, Defence, HACCP, quality, and contractual requirements while supporting risk mitigation strategies.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with Defence stakeholders, subcontractors, and internal support functions.
- Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and frontline teams, fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, safety, and high performance.
- Coordinate operational support for Defence exercises, special events, and contingency activities while ensuring business continuity.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

- Previous experience in a senior operational leadership or 2IC capacity within Defence support services, facilities management, hospitality, accommodation, logistics, or a comparable multi-service environment.
- Demonstrated experience supporting senior operational leaders and managing complex service delivery portfolios.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence outcomes and build trusted relationships.
- Proven ability to lead and develop leaders, manage performance, and drive workforce engagement.
- Sound understanding of operational compliance, WHS, risk management, and continuous improvement principles.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience managing budgets, productivity, and contract performance metrics.
- The ability to balance strategic priorities with hands-on operational leadership in a fast-paced environment.

About Ventia
As a leading services provider, we maintain, operate, and manage the essential infrastructure that makes modern life possible across Australia and New Zealand. With more than 35,000 employees and subcontractors across 400 sites, joining Ventia means becoming part of a team that values its people, supports career growth, and helps everyone go further towards their full potential.
   
Our commitment to Fairness, Inclusion and Respect shapes how we lead, collaborate, hire and support one another. We welcome applications from people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all genders, identities, sexual orientations, beliefs and caring responsibilities. We are dedicated to providing an accessible recruitment process and encourage you to request adjustments at any stage.

How to apply    
Click the Apply Now button to start the journey to find your further with Ventia.

Position Reference Number: 168933