Operations Manager - Devonport

About PAE

PAE is one of the largest providers of Facilities Management services in New Zealand, with a customer‑centric vision built around keeping our customers’ world working and moving.

We’re proud to partner with the New Zealand Defence Force, delivering essential facilities maintenance and infrastructure services that support the smooth and safe operation of their bases across the country.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for an experienced Operations Manager to lead our facilities maintenance team at the NZDF Devonport Naval Base.

This role is central to ensuring the seamless, safe, and cost‑effective delivery of facilities maintenance services across a large and complex Defence site. You’ll oversee a diverse operational workforce and subcontractor network, making sure our people, systems, and resources come together to deliver great outcomes for our Defence partner.

It’s a role for someone who’s commercially savvy, operationally strong, and thrives in a fast‑moving, multi‑trade environment where no two days are the same. You will ideally possess a trades based background with the ability to coach and mentor a multi‑disciplinary trades team with a strong focus on quality and safety.

What You’ll Do

Lead and support a team of trade supervisors, technicians, and subcontractors to ensure safe, efficient, and high‑quality service delivery.

Oversee day‑to‑day operations, ensuring work is well planned, prioritised, and delivered to the required standards.

Drive operational efficiency across the site through effective scheduling, resource management, and continuous improvement.

Maintain oversight of quality and compliance, ensuring all maintenance activities meet safety, environmental, and client expectations.

Manage budgets, performance reporting, and subcontractor relationships to deliver on contract outcomes.

Build strong working relationships with NZDF representatives, fostering collaboration and trust.

Lead by example setting clear expectations, providing coaching, and team capability.

What You’ll Bring

Proven leadership experience in facilities management, maintenance operations, or a related technical service environment.

A sound understanding of trade‑based maintenance and the ability to support quality delivery across multiple disciplines. A trades based background would be an advantage.

Strong operational planning, coordination, and problem‑solving skills.

Commercial awareness with experience managing budgets, schedules, and subcontractor performance.

Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills with both clients and teams.

A proactive, calm, and safety‑focused leadership style.

Experience within Defence or other large, complex, or high‑security environments will be an advantage.

Why PAE?

At PAE, we take pride in doing the essential work that keeps New Zealand’s Defence operations running. We’re a proudly Kiwi company with a strong culture built on teamwork, respect, and delivering results.

You’ll enjoy :

• A leadership role where you can make a tangible impact every day.
• A supportive, values‑driven team culture.
• Opportunities for professional development within a nationwide business.
• The satisfaction of leading operations that truly matter.
• A competitive salary including company vehicle.

Special Requirements

To be considered for this role, you must have the ability to obtain NZDF Site Clearance and successfully complete a pre‑employment medical and drug test. These requirements ensure we maintain the high standards of safety, security, and wellbeing expected when working within Defence environments.

For more information or a confidential discussion, contact Wendy Oliver on or 021 243 5620.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

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