Operations Specialist Coordinator

Operations Specialist Coordinator

Location: Defence Academy, Shrivenham (Swindon)
Salary: £22,971 per annum for 30 hours (£28,331 full-time equivalent), plus benefits

Schedule: Permanent, part-time, 30 hours per week. Your fixed working pattern can be agreed across 4 or 5 days, Monday to Friday, to suit you.

Ready to impact a better future?

Join us at the Defence Academy and play a key role in supporting the smooth operation of Station Headquarters activities. If you're a strong administrator who enjoys variety, working with people and keeping things organised, this could be a great next step for you.

As Operations Specialist Coordinator, you'll provide vital coordination, administration and governance support across a broad range of operational processes. Your work will have purpose and create a positive impact across the organisation. It's a varied role where your organisation, attention to detail and relationship-building skills will make a genuine difference. You'll be part of a team that values trust, innovation and continuous growth, with headroom for people to grow and develop their careers.

Previous experience of the MOD, Defence Academy, ARM, honours and awards or formal governance processes is not essential. We'll support you in learning the role-specific knowledge you need. What's most important is that you're organised, confident working with people, comfortable handling detailed information and willing to learn.

What you’ll do as an Operations Specialist Coordinator

• Coordinate requests for information and responses across the organisation, including MOD trawl activities.
• Coordinate honours, awards, citations and recognition schemes, keeping submissions, deadlines and records on track.
• Support risk management processes, including organising reviews, maintaining records and using the Active Risk Management (ARM) system. Training on role-specific systems and processes will be provided.
• Bring information together into clear reports, presentations and updates to help colleagues and senior leaders make informed decisions.
• Help keep key actions on track, following up with colleagues and maintaining the Defence Academy Headquarters Task Tracker.
• Help senior meetings run smoothly by coordinating papers, recording actions and following up on progress.
• Build effective working relationships with Colleges, Groups, Station Headquarters, the Programme Management Office and senior stakeholders.
• Support sensitive processes professionally while maintaining confidentiality and stakeholder confidence.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and help create impactful solutions across the business.

Does this sound like you?

• Good general education, including GCSEs or equivalent in English and Mathematics.
• Previous experience in an administration, coordination or similar role.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Teams, Word and Excel.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
• Confident building positive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• A collaborative approach and commitment to delivering excellent customer service.
• Adaptable, professional and comfortable working in a changing environment.
• Motivated to identify improvements and contribute ideas that add value.

What we offer

• Competitive holiday package
• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (we currently offer over 60 different apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.
• Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
• Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
• Our employee networks support connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including veterans, LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, and people from all cultural backgrounds.

Vetting and checks:

This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality, and criminal record to meet government security standards. In addition, depending on the nature of the role, you may need to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record, and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.

Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.

A little bit about us:
At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our inclusive recruitment commitment:
We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
• Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).

For support with your application, please contact recruitmentuk@serco.com.

Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.

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