Job Description

On behalf of Defra, we are looking for an Operations Manager (InsideIR35) for a 6 Month Contract.

Hybrid - Travel required to attend Scotland ports - Cairnryan & Lochryan.

3rd of time in the ports - the remaining to work from home. Candidate needs to be flexible.

The Operations Manager vacancy is required from February 2025 to support implementation and ongoing management of the Windsor Framework Pet Travel Scheme compliance checking service for GB-NI pet movements at GB ferry ports. The role is required to cover operations management across the three ports- Cairnryan, Lochryan, and Birkenhead.

The role will be focused on Scottish ports [Cairnryan, Lochryan] and the other at Birkenhead.

As an Operations Manager, your main responsibilities will be to:

* Lead the planning, implementation and monitoring of the compliance and enforcement project.

* Develop and implement strategies to ensure compliance with local, national, and international regulations.

* Coordinate with various stakeholders, including government agencies, port authorities, external suppliers providing the compliance service and internal departments at NID and DEFRA.

* Conduct risk assessments and develop mitigation plans for implementation and keep updated post go live.

* Oversee the training and development of staff on compliance and enforcement protocols.

* Monitor and report on project progress, ensuring timely completion within budget.

* Implement and manage systems for tracking compliance and enforcement activities.

* Address and resolve any issues or non-compliance incidents promptly Stay updated on regulatory changes and industry best practices.

* Work with the NID business readiness team to develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for all compliance and enforcement activities.

* Conduct regular audits and inspections to ensure ongoing compliance.

* Collaborate with IT and security teams to integrate compliance measures into port security systems.

* Prepare and present detailed reports to senior management and regulatory bodies.

* Facilitate workshops and training sessions to promote a culture of compliance within the organization.

* Evaluate and improve existing compliance processes and procedures.

* Manage budgets and resources allocated to the compliance and enforcement project.

* Liaise with legal teams to interpret and apply regulatory requirements effectively.

* Manage supplier performance during implementation and post go live and work with them to ensure that contractual SLA are achieved, and a quality service is delivered.

Essential:

* Strong communication, organisational, and IT skills, as well as the ability to work in an unstructured environment.

* Be able to make decisions, tolerate stress, and lead with confidence.

* It will also require they work alone and be deployed to the port locations for protracted periods of time and potentially working unsociable hours.

* Experience in leading the successful delivery of operational service mobilisations and the implementation of service operations management functions, ideally where services are provided by a contracted 3rd party.

* Experience in managing and delivering a public facing service.

* Experience in delivering and managing a compliance service preferably in a highly political context with the ability to be flexible to a changing environment for compliance needs.

* Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships where the ability to manage these complexities through negotiation and conflict resolution are essential.

* Knowledge of port operations and regulatory requirements and their dependencies.

* Strong project management capability to ensure the service is delivered to time, cost and quality required.

* Experience of managing and working with external suppliers to deliver a quality service within a contractual framework

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Defra guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply.

Armed Forces Covenant

Defra guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different