VodafoneThree - Senior Manager Defence Operations

Job Description

Location: Farnborough / South West – Fully site based role
Working hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week – Mon to Fri
Salary: Excellent basic salary plus bonus and Vodafone benefits

Security Clearance: This position requires the ability to obtain and hold UK Developed Vetting (DV) clearance.

Who We Are

We’re here to build a network the UK can count on – one that connects people, places and potential. Because no matter where you live, what your background is, or how you get online – we think everyone deserves the same chance to stay connected, and with VodafoneThree, that future’s being built – today.

We’re creating more than the UK’s best network. We’re helping close the digital divide, empower communities and drive meaningful progress.

We believe that everyone should feel they belong. Whoever you are and whatever your story, there’s space for you here. We’re building a workplace where different perspectives are welcomed, voices are heard, and everyone feels safe to show up as themselves.

You’ll join a team that genuinely cares – about each other, about our customers, and about the future we’re building. From day one, you’ll be welcomed, valued and encouraged to bring your whole self to work.

Why VodafoneThree

Join us and you’ll be at the heart of change. That means building responsibly, investing sustainably and creating opportunities that last.

We’re not just expanding connectivity; we’re reimagining what a connected nation looks like. With £11bn invested in 5G and digital infrastructure, your work will directly power businesses, services, and communities across the country.

You’ll work on real challenges, with real impact, across every corner of the country. Wherever you join us, whatever your role, you’ll be helping to build a future that works better for everyone.

We move at pace, because what we’re building matters – and we’re learning as we go. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but we’re just getting started.

Join Vodafone Business Security Enhanced and strengthen the cyber security of the UK's Critical National Infrastructure and public sector organisations.

What you’ll do

The Senior Operations Manager will be responsible for running several secure customer networks, including their Network Operations Centre and Security Operations Centre. You’ll make sure all incidents are handled within agreed service levels, and that major incidents are managed quickly and communicated clearly. You’ll work closely with customers to keep services running smoothly, improve performance, and promote continuous improvement.

You’ll also be responsible for meeting key operational targets, such as incident resolution times and repair times, and for applying best practices across the operations teams.

• You will be accountable for delivering the operational SLAs and KPIs for the Converged Network, meeting or exceeding the commitments made to the business
• You will ensure Best Practices for NOC and SOC are implemented across all technologies while meeting all required regulatory and audit standards (SOX/ISO).
• You will shape and drive NOC and SOC strategic decisions, so they align with capabilities, challenges, and opportunities
• You will ensure VodafoneThree’s operational requirements are clearly understood through effective stakeholder management and provide all relevant feedback to Service Managers to support stakeholder engagement.
• You will keep the Senior Management of VBSE informed of the Major Incidents and their regular updates.
• You will lead and motivate the team by setting clear objectives, priorities, strategies, and policies to maximise operational efficiency and develop operational management capability.
• You will manage the team’s financial performance to support delivery of the operational business plan.
• You will proactively identify methods to deliver services more cost effectively

Who you are

• You will have a proven ability to lead, build, and develop high performing teams.
• You will have experience in building and maintaining strong relationships with key partners, suppliers, and customers.
• You will have extensive telecoms experience in operational or delivery management
• You will have strong experience in fixed and mobile core networks, covering call centre technologies, enterprise fixed solutions, mobile data services, prepay/online charging, and voice/VPN services.
• You will have experience in working in a high security area required. Defence sector experience would be an advantage.

Worried that you don’t meet all the desired criteria exactly?
At Vodafone we are passionate about Inclusion for All and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align exactly with every part of the job description, we encourage you to apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another role, and our recruitment team can help you see how your skills fit in.

What we offer

We believe that taking care of our employees is the key to their success. That is why we offer an excellent remuneration and bonus package with up to 28 days holiday entitlement, in addition to bank holidays and paid leave for charity projects. We offer an extensive benefits package that can be tailored to suit you and your family, including employee discounts, retail vouchers, pension plan and share schemes. We take pride in our commitment to supporting you at every stage of your career by providing top of the range learning and development tools and market leading parental leave policies.

Need to Know

We are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and all offers of employment for this role are subject to background checks, including criminal (DBS) and financial checks to meet the regulators standards.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request as part of your recruitment journey, for example, extended time or breaks in between online assessments, a sign language interpreter, or assistive technology, please refer to the Accessibility section of our Careers website (https://careers.vodafone.com/uk/applying-to-us/) for guidance.

We use AI in different parts of our business to boost innovation, improve efficiency, and create new opportunities. We know many candidates use AI to fine-tune their CVs or prepare for interviews, but what we really care about is your unique experiences and achievements.

During the interview, we want you to rely on your own knowledge and skills to show us who you really are—your personality, creativity, and abilities. Above all, we’re looking for authenticity and can’t wait to get to know the real you.

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