Operations Manager Job Description Template
Resource type and category
Resource type: Downloadable job description template
Category: Facilities Management Recruitment, Operations Management, Job Descriptions and Hiring Resources
Intended audience
Facilities Directors, Regional Facilities Managers, Heads of Facilities, HR professionals, Talent Acquisition teams, senior operational leaders and organisations recruiting an Operations Manager within a Facilities Management environment.
Resource-card description
Download a comprehensive Operations Manager job description template covering FM operations, team leadership, helpdesk performance, health and safety, contract expenditure, compliance, staffing, performance management and continuous improvement.
Full resource-page description
An Operations Manager plays a key role in maintaining consistent service delivery across buildings and sites while balancing people, performance, compliance and commercial priorities.
The Operations Manager Job Description Template provides employers with a practical framework for defining the responsibilities, experience and personal qualities required for an operational Facilities Management leadership role.
The template positions the Operations Manager as responsible for overseeing day-to-day operational activity across designated buildings and sites, with responsibility spanning Facilities Management, health and safety and security.
Working closely with senior leadership, the role is expected to maintain high standards of service delivery, lead a diverse operational team and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
People management is a major part of the position. Responsibilities include recruitment, performance management, appraisals, coaching, mentoring and ensuring clear standards and performance criteria are maintained across the team.
The Operations Manager may also be responsible for maintaining accurate staff records, including timesheets, review documentation and HR-related information, while carrying out investigations and disciplinary hearings when required.
Regular communication with the Regional Facilities Manager forms another important element of the role. The Operations Manager is expected to provide clear updates on operational issues, developments and any matters requiring escalation.
Helpdesk and service performance are also central. The template includes regular reviews with the Helpdesk Manager to ensure service levels are achieved and that jobs contain the required information and supporting documentation.
Resource planning is another key responsibility. The Operations Manager must ensure sufficient staffing is in place to support existing and new business, including seasonal demand and one-off requirements, while arranging appropriate cover for holidays and sickness.
The role also carries commercial responsibility. The template includes monitoring contract expenditure, controlling budgeted costs and ensuring invoicing is completed accurately and on time.
Health and safety responsibilities are particularly important. The Operations Manager is expected to ensure statutory requirements such as COSHH, risk assessments and PPE are properly implemented and that employees receive the required training.
Regular inspection of site health and safety files is included, alongside responsibility for ensuring training records are accurate and up to date. Accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported and investigated appropriately, with serious health and safety breaches escalated immediately.
The Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications section provides a useful framework for defining candidate requirements. Suggested criteria include several years of Facilities Management experience at management level, relevant technical or FM qualifications and IOSH, NEBOSH or equivalent health and safety experience.
The template also highlights budget and performance-management experience, including the ability to work towards commercial targets and support gross margin improvement.
Experience within a seven-day, time-pressured operating environment is identified as important, together with strong Microsoft Office capability and potentially experience of CAFM or helpdesk systems such as Concept Evolution.
The About You section focuses on strong people leadership, organisation, communication, commercial awareness, technical knowledge, problem-solving, accountability and the ability to work flexibly within a fast-paced environment.
Designed to be adapted to the individual contract, business or operating model, this template provides employers with a strong foundation for creating a clear and professional Operations Manager job description.
You can see how other organisations approached it in our case studies.