Senior Operations Manager

📍 Location: Woomera, SA (DIDO 14:7 roster from Adelaide or regional SA) 

About the Role

The Senior Operations Manager supports the delivery of Living and Working Services (LWS) across site, with a strong focus on hospitality-led service delivery and customer experience.

Reporting to the Living and Work Services Manager, this role provides day-to-day operational leadership across catering, accommodation and cleaning services, ensuring consistent, high-quality outcomes for Defence personnel. 

The role is offered on a DIDO (Drive in Drive out) roster, 14 days onsite, 7 days off.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the safe, compliant and efficient delivery of all site operations across catering, accommodation and cleaning
• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality hospitality and service standards in line with contract KPIs
• Drive workforce performance, capability and accountability across site leadership teams
• Optimise labour utilisation, rostering and operational costs in line with budget
• Maintain strong on-site presence, ensuring service quality, presentation and customer experience standards are met
• Manage operational risk, including safety, compliance and service delivery
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Defence and key stakeholders
• Oversee planning and delivery of operational requirements, including functions, events and site demand
• Champion continuous improvement across service delivery, team performance and customer experience
• Ensure effective governance through accurate reporting, financial oversight and operational controls

Skills & Experience

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• Strong leadership capability with a hands-on approach and a focus on service standards
• Proven experience in hospitality, catering or multi-service environments (e.g. villages, remote sites, large-scale operations)
• Experience managing high-volume service delivery with a strong customer focus
• Ability to build effective working relationships with Defence, clients and operational teams
• Solid understanding of labour management, rostering and cost control
• Strong awareness of safety, compliance and risk in a live operational environment
• Confident decision-making with the ability to identify issues early and implement practical solutions
• Clear, influential communication skills across all levels
• Ability to manage competing priorities and adapt to changing operational requirements

Special Requirements

• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role and respond to emergency protocols
• Comfortable liaising with clients, staff and meeting strict deadlines
• Ability to work effectively with technical staff, subcontractors, senior military officers and client representatives
• Must be able to obtain and maintain an AGSVA Security Clearance
• Australian Citizenship is essential

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to play a key role in supporting Defence capability while leading high‑impact operations in a fast‑paced environment. You’ll be part of a team that values safety, service excellence and continuous improvement.

What We Offer

• Competitive annual salary package
• Lifestyle roster
• Career development and training within a global organisation.
• Supportive leadership and a commitment to your growth and success.
• Access to a wide range of company benefits and employee programs.

How to Apply:

Click on the 'apply' link and complete the online application.

Our Commitment:

ISS fosters a culture of inclusion and diversity, welcoming applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, veterans, people with disabilities, individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, and LGBTIQA+ communities. We are committed to fair pay and a safe working environment.

Learn more about ISS in Australia and New Zealand on our website.

Please note: No agency applications are accepted