We're reimagining the way Australians live, work, and play. We own and manage some of the most recognisable and loved retail destinations across Australia.

 
We’re evolving our portfolio into destinations that offer a broad selection of retail, residential, and office spaces. Through our diverse portfolio, data-led decision-making, and nationwide development pipeline, we do things differently.

We are Vicinity.

Role purpose

The key purpose of the Operations Manager is to be the strategic lead to safeguard the seamless functioning of all operational elements, ensuring a positive experience for staff, contractors, retailers and customers. The Operations Manager’s leadership will be instrumental in maintaining the highest standards of safety, compliance, cleanliness, emergency preparedness and efficiency throughout the centre while nurturing a professional environment. This role creates a culture of high performance that strives to exceed industry best practice.

It is acknowledged that due to the nature of the position and the industry in which Vicinity Centres operate, there is a requirement to work outside of normal business hours. Tasks include, but are not limited to, performing the role of Duty Manager on a rotating roster, checking contractor work and compliance after-hours (SIT tests), and completing audits and assessments. These activities will change from time-to-time in line with activities expected of an operational team member in a commercial and retail environment.

Key Accountabilities

People Leadership

• All elements of the annual performance cycle are completed by the due date (including goal setting, mid-year reviews, EOY conversations).

• Regular 1:1’s, team meetings and development conversations conducted - minimum monthly cadence.

• Performance issues are managed in an effective, respectful and timely manner.

• Quarterly development conversations conducted with all direct reports.

• 100% of compliance training is completed on time for team.

• All health and safety, risk and compliance requirements are delivered across the team.

• Demonstrated commitment to building own capability as a people leader.

• Strive to create a workplace culture that embraces & values health & safety to reduce the potential of incidents and injuries.

• Responsibility for activity within retail, commercial and residential assets on the property. The Assistant Operations Manager within this team will be supported by the maintenance.

• Cultivating and nurturing talent within the team for sustained growth of direct reports.

Operational Management & Accountability

• Manage operational contracts and ensure that optimum value is realised for expenditure.

• Maintain quality contract documentation by conducting monthly KPI’s with action plans/rectification where items are not achieved. Report as required and participate in contract renewal activities as opportunities arise.

• Focus on cleaning and hygiene, present the assets to a high standard each day for retailers, consumers and staff. To be achieved through active leadership, high levels of contractor engagement and encouraging team performance.

• Manage the security contract in a manner that provides a safe and secure site through active leadership, high levels of contractor engagement & vigilance and outstanding team performance. An emphasis on minimising terrorism risk and reducing crime and disorder is critical.

• Primary conduit to respond to retailer enquiries or complaints and is the key relationship contact for the retail management team.

• Support the National Capital delivery teams to help deliver improved presentation standards through targeted capex programs (where applicable).

• Present the building to the highest possible standard.

• Create and maintain positive relationships with internal and external key stakeholders (including contractors, emergency services, local council and internal staff) that impact the performance of the department.

• Ensure the shopping centre is compliant with Legislative obligations, Australian Standards and Vicinity procedures.

• Manage annual essential safety measures obligations and certification (including the full function fire test program) with support from the Assistant Operations Manager.

• Confidently deliver presentations to wider audiences and facilitating training sessions for essential staff members.

• Make a valued contribution to the implementation of Environment Social and Governance initiatives at the centre by identifying opportunities for energy conservation and sustainability improvements, aiming to achieve energy and resource reduction targets set.

• Cooperate with the regulator when HS&E issues arise and escalate through the business appropriately.

Key Role Relationships

• Retailers: Maintaining strong communication and collaboration with retail managers to ensure the team are addressing the tenants’ operational needs, resolve issues, and ensure a positive shopping experience.

• National Operations: Attending meetings scheduled by the National Operations management team to stay informed of upcoming tenders, new contractor information, capital updates, etc…

• Major Contractors: Fostering strong relationships with cleaning and security contractors is essential to optimise team performance and ensure efficient coordination, ultimately maximising output from both teams.

• Local & Emergency Services: Establishing effective relationships with local emergency services (police, fire, ambulance) with formal monthly meetings held with Local Area Commander (LAC) from police. Establish key relationship with local council to ensure strong support in the event of emergencies.

• Tenant Delivery Team: Coordinating with the tenant delivery team to facilitate the onboarding of new tenants, manage works, and address any tenant-related issues or concerns.

• Joint Venture Partners: Reporting to senior management and property owners on operational performance, strategic initiatives, and opportunities for improvement to align with overarching business objectives.

Experience & Capabilities

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE (what you have done)

• A leader with a track record of achieving positive outcomes by creating a high performing culture and focusing on the professional development of the team.

• Experience in a role in the operations field that includes the management of retail and mixed-use assets and overall responsibility for an outgoings budget.

• Experience managing complex building services with cleaning and security contracts.

• Demonstrate an ability to deliver a schedule of projects on time and budget.

• Maintain a risk register and appropriate documentation in readiness for H&SE audits.

• Ensure that the building and/or centre’s Annual Safety Measures Certification is achieved.

• Maintain Health & Safety Meetings with key stakeholders.

• Operate all emergency Management control equipment on site including but not limited to EWIS, FIP, extinguishers, etc…

• Chief warden training with experience in managing emergency scenarios.

• Maximise building efficiency and develop & manage a sustainability program to minimise utility usage.

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE (what you need to know)    

• Clear understanding of contractor management through the issue of permits and general compliance.

• Develop and administer an operating and capital budget including associated planning and execution within allocated timeframes. 

• How to build a short and long-term capital expenditure plan that considers; risk, lifecycle and customer experience needs in conjunction with the asset’s development activities. Where savings are identified, consider unbudgeted capex opportunities or quarantine savings.

• How to develop a robust planned and ad-hoc maintenance program which is in place on plant and equipment to maximise reliability and lifespan. 

• Manage the centres lifecycle plan and asset register.

• Create and maintain positive relationships with internal and external key stakeholders (including contractors, emergency services, local council and internal staff) that impact the performance of the department.

• Completion of administrative duties as required including writing performance and management reports. Including assistance with creating and administering VSA’s (Vision, Strategy & Action Plans), Forecasts and Budgets.

• Manage controllable VO’s (Variable Outgoings) are in line with budget and VO's rate $/m2.

CAPABILITIES (what you can do)

• Strategic in approach and able to identify and deliver initiatives that achieve best in industry outcomes.

• A leader that can motivate, develop, and recognise people to ensure they achieve the best results in their current role as well as providing learning opportunities to progress their career.

• Deliver projects on time, within budget and in compliance with key handover dates.

• Strive to maintain industry-based knowledge to stay abreast of technical and operational information and opportunities.

• Have an eye for detail and don’t accept standards less than best in class.

• Seek out and encourage diverse views to challenge all perspectives.

• Understand and show respect for the diversity of the Vicinity community.

• A catalyst in creating an environment where people feel confident and supported to be themselves.

• Strive to build robust, effective and mutually beneficial relationships that better outcomes and culture.

• Understand the needs of others and support the delivery of these outcomes wherever possible.

• Understand the cross functional needs of teams and consider these when making decisions with a view to achieve balanced and mutually beneficial results.

• Excellent communicator that can leverage relationships to deliver best in class outcomes in a challenging environment. 

• Ensure successful initiatives are shared across the portfolio.

• Encourage and promote technology integration initiatives to optimise operations, enhance security, and increase overall efficiency within the centre.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES (who you are)    
You consistently demonstrate and role model the behaviours that bring the Vicinity values to life: 

• Respect: We listen to and acknowledge each other's views and We have difficult conversations with care 

• Integrity: We back our words with the right actions and We do the right thing, no matter the situation 

• Customer Focus: We nurture a genuine connection with our customers and We consider customer needs when making decisions 

• Collaboration: We invite the right people to the table and We balance consensus with decisive actions 

• Excellence: We always strive to improve and We share our challenges and celebrate the wins

Why Vicinity?

Our benefits program focuses on creating an awesome place to work in which our people are rewarded and recognised. This includes:

• Flexible working options 
• Birthday leave & purchased additional leave
• $1,000 worth of VCX securities rewarded for eligible team members
• Internal mentoring program
• Generous Parental Leave

We live and work by our values of Respect, Integrity, Customer Focus, Collaboration and Excellence.  They are the foundation to everything we do and provide us a north star with which we can shape meaningful places where communities connect.

At Vicinity we embrace and celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment where we attract, retain and develop our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

Our people and our Employee Advocacy Groups (Gender Balance, Cultural Diversity, Disability & Access and Pride & Allies) actively build community and provide allyship within Vicinity. If you’d like to speak to someone to understand what it’s like firsthand to work here, please reach out to our Talent Acquisition team.

We are aware of current limitations with our website accessibility and are working towards improving this. Should you experience any issues accessing information in this job advertisement or the application form, and require this in an alternate format, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team. Similarly, if you would like to discuss workplace accessibility, any reasonable adjustments we can make to better support you during the recruitment process, or your potential future role please reach out to our Talent Acquisition team:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +61 3 7001 4000 (request to speak to our Talent Acquisition team)

Note: To be eligible to apply for this position, you must have existing, relevant Australian work rights. At the later stages of the recruitment process the shortlisted candidate/candidates will be required to undergo a Criminal History Background/Police Check as a mandatory part of the process. Additional qualification checks may also be required dependant on role and level.