UK Ministry of Defence Careers – Business Support Manager

About the job

We are a small military unit that specialises in the provision of novel and ground-breaking science and technology prototypes for operational requirements.

Most of the workforce consists of civil servants and form part of Defence’s most talented scientists and engineers. Whilst not a specialist in Science & Technology yourself, you will be pivotal in providing direct support to the Unit’s Scientists and Engineers daily. If you enjoy a different challenge every day, enjoy learning new skills and manage yourself and others with confidence, then this position will offer your every opportunity to expand your talents.

The role of the Business Support Manager is to work within the Unit Command and Management Team comprising a military Commanding Officer and Warrant Officer. This will require the successful candidate to understand the vision of the Commanding Officer now and in the future to oversee its implementation. This will be achieved by being fully conversant with the Unit’s strategy and plans and by understanding and enforcing the will of the Commanding Officer.

In parallel the Business Support Manager is responsible for ensuring the functional side of the Unit is maintained to support operational delivery. The portfolio of responsibilities and roles undertaken by the Business Support Manager are not exhaustive and therefore the successful candidate will need to be proactive and adaptable and be able to autonomously triage work streams. The focus of the role will however involve support to Command in addition to information and security management, financial administration, and Human Resource management. The post will work alongside the Unit Warrant Officer whilst reporting to the Commanding Officer.

You will have impeccable personal skills and will deal directly with military personnel of all ranks, civil servants, and contractors during your daily business. You will be a natural energetic organiser who is able to see order through chaos, this will be apparent daily. You will be a person who is able to apply critical thinking to problems and challenge existing assumptions, blockers, and constraints to find solutions. Radical and novel ideas will always be encouraged and challenging plans that aim to bring solutions and success will all be carefully considered.

To support the successful candidate, training will be provided in order they attain functional competence in areas where there is a direct responsibility for delivery. In addition, the Civil Service provides training in leadership which will be fundamental to succeed in the role of Business Support Manager.

OfQual Level 2 in numeracy and Literacy, or alternatively have functional qualifications in accountancy, Information Management and Risk Management.