About this role
Abbey Wood North, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, South West
Job Summary
Are you a dedicated person who is passionate about making a difference?
Would you like to be part an organisation dedicated to supporting the Ministry of Defence through provision of outstanding customer service and specialist support?
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join our organisation as Estates Site Manager for Defence Business Services (DBS) southern-flagship site in Bristol, MoD Abbey Wood North (ABWN). We are looking for someone who can connect with confidence, enjoys collaborating, has a good eye for detail and can coordinate incident response. Ideally you will understand how safety and environmental considerations' impact on office-based activities, however specific HS&EP qualifications are not required because full training will be given.
The role is based at MOD Abbey Wood North in Bristol, however occasional travel to other southern DBS sites may be required. Although all office-based employees are expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, because the nature of this role is predominantly site-based, a higher level of site attendance is required and the opportunities for hybrid working are more limited and dependent upon business needs. Please consider whether you can meet this requirement before applying for this role
The Organisation
DBS is one of the largest shared service organisations in Europe that provides a wide range of corporate services, to over 1.2 million end users, including serving and past military and families, as well as MoD civil servants and industry. DBS delivers large scale administration and smaller specialist services to enable the wider MOD to focus on its core aims, maintaining the UK’s Defence and Security.
- Our Vision - To support UK defence customers with outstanding service every time.
- Our Mission - Together we will proudly support Defence, continuously improving and delivering flexible, timely, sustainable and value for money services that underpin the whole force and enhance operational capability.
DBS is committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues. We are building an inclusive culture and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society. We want to maximise the potential of everyone who works for us through opportunities to develop your skills and experience. We also offer a range of flexible working patterns and support to make a fulfilling career accessible too.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Part-time or job-share will only be considered provided full time hours can be covered.
Job Description
As the Estates Manager for ABWN you will be responsible for the Management of the DBS Estates Abbey Wood North Team to ensure delivery of all aspects of Facilities Management, Infrastructure, Health & Safety, Environmental Protection, Physical Security, and other associated tasks at the DBS Abbey Wood North Site. When required support for wider DBS sites as directed.
This is a high profile role and your duties will encompass:-
- Being the Head of Establishments representative responsible for managing all aspects of Health Safety and Environmental matters including risk assessment, fire safety, emergency planning, hazard identification ensuring the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all related procedures, documentation and training to ensure legal and MOD compliance is met. to ensure legal and MOD compliance is met.
- Manage, develop, monitor and update Health & Safety, Infrastructure, Facilities Management, Physical Security, and Access Control procedures and standards for ABWN to ensure statutory and MOD compliance is met.
- Estates Fire Focal Point (EFFP) for the site, undertaking regular site audits to provide first level assurance. Provide EFFP advice and guidance to other DBS sites, supporting their audit activities when required.
- Being the Establishment Security Officer for the site promoting and ensuring adherence to MoDs security policies, oversight of access control, and providing advice on security matters to site users.
- Primary Estates contact for all Lodgers and teams on site, ensuring agreements and HS&EP documentation is kept up-to-date and compliant with MoD HS&EP guidance. Maintain regular communication with the nominated Point of Contact for all site-based teams, leading regular Stakeholder meetings and interactions.
- Manage control of all infrastructure work undertaken by approved contractors as supported by Defence Infrastructure Organisation and the Regional Prime Contractor, and Duty Holder for the 4C’s (Co-operation Co-ordination Communication Control) management of visiting workers and contractors.
- Lead, manage and develop Estates staff to ensure an effective, engaged and highly performing team with the appropriate skills and experience to deliver a quality service to all site users within their remit.
- Taking the lead for Estates actions within Site Recover/Business Continuity plans and exercises and incidents.
- Overseeing Estates and Facilities spending, obtaining best value for money in accordance with MOD Financial Controls Systems.
- Undertaking other duties within the DBS Estates to support own and other sites as directed by management.
As the Estates Manager for ABWN you will be responsible for the Management of the DBS Estates Abbey Wood North Team to ensure delivery of all aspects of Facilities Management, Infrastructure, Health & Safety, Environmental Protection, Physical Security, and other associated tasks at the DBS Abbey Wood North Site. When required support for wider DBS sites as directed.
This is a high profile role and your duties will encompass:-
- Being the Head of Establishments representative responsible for managing all aspects of Health Safety and Environmental matters including risk assessment, fire safety, emergency planning, hazard identification ensuring the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all related procedures, documentation and training to ensure legal and MOD compliance is met. to ensure legal and MOD compliance is met.
- Manage, develop, monitor and update Health & Safety, Infrastructure, Facilities Management, Physical Security, and Access Control procedures and standards for ABWN to ensure statutory and MOD compliance is met.
- Estates Fire Focal Point (EFFP) for the site, undertaking regular site audits to provide first level assurance. Provide EFFP advice and guidance to other DBS sites, supporting their audit activities when required.
- Being the Establishment Security Officer for the site promoting and ensuring adherence to MoDs security policies, oversight of access control, and providing advice on security matters to site users.
- Primary Estates contact for all Lodgers and teams on site, ensuring agreements and HS&EP documentation is kept up-to-date and compliant with MoD HS&EP guidance. Maintain regular communication with the nominated Point of Contact for all site-based teams, leading regular Stakeholder meetings and interactions.
- Manage control of all infrastructure work undertaken by approved contractors as supported by Defence Infrastructure Organisation and the Regional Prime Contractor, and Duty Holder for the 4C’s (Co-operation Co-ordination Communication Control) management of visiting workers and contractors.
- Lead, manage and develop Estates staff to ensure an effective, engaged and highly performing team with the appropriate skills and experience to deliver a quality service to all site users within their remit.
- Taking the lead for Estates actions within Site Recover/Business Continuity plans and exercises and incidents.
- Overseeing Estates and Facilities spending, obtaining best value for money in accordance with MOD Financial Controls Systems.
- Undertaking other duties within the DBS Estates to support own and other sites as directed by management.
About facilities & operations roles for ex-police
Operations, facilities and site management roles. Running a shift, a custody suite or an operational unit is people-and-process management employers can use from day one.
See all facilities & operations jobs in Bristol →Why this fits a police background — match score 85/100
- Incident command & response
- Risk & threat assessment
- Working to legislation & regulation
- Security operations
What facilities & operations roles pay ex-police
Advertised UK ranges, editorial estimates reviewed July 2026
| Operations coordinator | £28,000–£36,000 |
| Facilities manager | £38,000–£52,000 |
| Operations manager | £45,000–£60,000 |
| Senior / regional operations manager | £55,000–£75,000 |