Location: Carterton, United Kingdom

Thales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world’s largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Our project reporting and service delivery functions are a crucial and fundamental aspect of the Voyager Academy Training Service Programme and has a significant influence on continuous improvement performance and competitiveness; therefore we are constantly looking to improve the level of customer service and performance across our training service

Primary Purpose of the Role:

The Business Support Manager (BSM) will be responsible for providing comprehensive and effective business support for the Voyager Academy at RAF Brize Norton.

They assist the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), and principally the Voyager Programme Manager, in business performance administration, project reporting, purchasing for the site, operational facilities in conjunction with Voyager Facilities Management supplier (FMs) and Key operational suppliers or service providers, project management, as well as supporting bids and opportunities.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks:

Project management / business administration

Responsible for managing the recording and reporting of end of month data, analysis and report the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to Senior Management, and the CustomerLiaise with Training Delivery Manager (TDM) to deliver end of period usage reporting (billing) data to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), seek approval to release to the Customer with the Voyager Programme Manager (VPM)Assist Voyager Programme Manager (VPM) through the provision of administrative support in preparing responses to new bids and opportunitiesProvide support to the change process by representing the “business” interests through attendance at appropriate C3 meetings, coordinating with TDM in matters affecting training delivery and reporting directly to the VPMManage access to B1 Oracle (ERP system) for all staff, ascertaining the individual levels required

Purchasing administration

Support the Voyager Business Manager (VBM) by managing the local procurement process at the Voyager Academy, ensuring Thales Procurement functions are informed and are in receipt of the required data to conduct successful procurement activitiesWork collaboratively with the wider Thales Procurement functions providing the appointed Tactical Buyer with all necessary information relating to the selection, appointment and management of all Academy’s external suppliersUsing B1 Oracle, ensure iProcs are raised in a timely manner and supplier invoicing is reflective of the service provided and receipted / reconciled in a timely mannerAccurately identify entries on the Thales Site Variables Applications and ensure the appropriate procurement process is followedManage B1 (Unify) super user support to all onsite employees with relevant accessComplete the Company Procurement Card return ensuring it is reconciled accurately, with evidence submitted to SASPayables, in a timely manner.With VPM, ensure the Commitment Report accurately reflects the forecast spend in period.

Facilities coordination

Work collaboratively with the Facilities Management (FM) supplier to create and own a schedule for Voyager Academy team to conduct monthly facilities walk rounds to identify areas of improvement and facilitate suitable solutions for Senior Management approval at the TSMM.

Provide business support functions to facilities management, analysing spend to support budget forecasting discussions and ensuring timely payment of supplier invoices

How do they do it?

Be data driven, join the dots, be open to possibilities, and be proactive.Analyse Training Data / look for the patterns/trends, explore and investigate.Review Training Data, set up internal stakeholder meetings if needed.Establish regular methods for gaining the necessary reporting data to enable accurate and timely onward and upward reporting.Engage stakeholders through presenting recommendations based on data/analysis, exploration and investigation.Using a variety of data analysis and problem solving tools and techniques to present a compelling justification for action, change or outcome to the VPMBecome part of the Training Administration team and attend all relevant meetings.Network between VPM & Voyager Academy site.Support TDM & VPM in driving improvement through TMIS and Customer/Project reporting activitiesProactive stakeholder management.Proactively identify and deliver training in support of the business support functions at the Voyager Academy site

Skills and Experience

Skills:

Essential

Well-developed communication skills both orally and written.Capability to work closely with others in cross functional teams whilst being remotely managed.Demonstrates a high level of administrative competence, including the ability to improve administrative support systems.Ability to handle mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy.  Developed data analysis and problem solving techniques.Good Project Management, planning and organisational skills.Good Risk and Opportunity Management administration skills, including stakeholder managementRelationship Management - Ability to address issues at an operational level as well as working alongside our Customer.Gives customer service a high priorityStrong business acumen, Supply chain, Operations Management, Project Management & Commercial

Experience:

Essential

Be experienced and adept at building and managing strong, long lasting relationships.Possess excellent communication and analytical skills to support the effective reporting of the training service to the wider internal and external teams.Have experience and awareness of Project Management methodologiesHave experience of managing Facilities management Be experienced and adept at coordinating meetings, workshops and documenting discussionsHave experience of key procurement processes including raising PO’s within an ERP system

Values & Behaviours:

The successful candidate will demonstrate behaviours that are consistent with the Leadership at Thales Model:

·Think Big

·Make It Happen

·Together

Security Clearance

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance - United Kingdom Security Vetting - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

What we can offer:

We are committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences, along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry. We hire from within as our first priority, so you will have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse, global organisation.

Flexibility

Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Benefits at Thales

Alongside a competitive base salary, we offer a variable compensation plan bonus and benefits package, which includes:

Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00pmPension Scheme28 days annual leave (Plus Bank Holidays) Life CoverProgression and Development Opportunities24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing appEmployee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

#LI-DB2

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!