Asbestos Technical Operations Director

Penguin Recruitment Ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading compliance consultancy in the built environment is seeking a Technical Operations Director in Manchester. In this senior role, you will blend technical leadership with operational management, overseeing a multi-disciplinary team and ensuring health and safety compliance. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in asbestos and occupational hygiene, and possesses relevant qualifications, emphasizing a strong focus on people and operational excellence.

Benefits

Company Vehicle

Excellent Company Benefits

Qualifications

• 10+ years in asbestos & occupational hygiene is crucial.
• Natural leadership with a focus on people development.
• Experience shaping training, audits, and strategic goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead a 40+ person technical workforce with 6 direct managers.
• Drive operational and commercial success in asbestos & occupational hygiene.
• Champion training and internal growth of staff.

Skills

Leadership

Compliance expertise

Commercial acumen

Education

BOHS/RSPH qualifications

Certificate of Competence in Asbestos (CoC Asbestos)

Job description

Technical Operations Director
Location: Manchester (Hybrid – 3 days office / 2 days WFH after training)
Salary: £70,000 + Company Vehicle + Excellent Company Benefits
Hours: 37.5 per week | Full-time £70,000 a year – Full-time

Celebrating 28 years of growth and major project wins, a leading compliance consultancy in the built environment with over 120 staff across Manchester and Essex. We’re seeking a Technical Operations Director in Manchester with 10+ years’ experience in Asbestos and Occupational Hygiene. This senior role blends technical leadership, operational management, and strategic influence as you lead a multidisciplinary team and ensure Health & Safety compliance.

Ideally, you’ve progressed from roles like Asbestos Analyst/Surveyor to Occupational Hygienist, hold BOHS/RSPH qualifications and a Certificate of Competence in Asbestos (CoC Asbestos), and have strong knowledge of environmental compliance. People leadership is vital, with a focus on staff development, retention, and working alongside HR to build a resilient, engaged workforce.

If you’re ready to lead a high-performing team and make a lasting impact in a growing consultancy, this is your chance to take a significant leadership role. As an Employee-Owned Trust (EOT), AEC values collaboration, safety, and quality – and treats its people like family.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead a 40+ person technical workforce of 6 direct manager and 2 project managers
• Own all things technical and operational in asbestos & occupational hygiene
• Coach and inspire managers to build high-performing, motivated teams
• Drive operational and commercial success – with efficiency and integrity
• Champion training, upskilling, and internal growth – retain our rising stars
• Ensure excellence in compliance, ISO/UKAS audits, health & safety, and QA systems
• Represent AEC at national associations like BOHS, ATAC, and FAAM
• Be the go-to expert for technical queries, client strategy, and major projects

Required Skills. Experience & Qualifications

• 10+ years in asbestos & occupational hygiene
• BOHS/RSPH qualifications + CoC Asbestos (preferred)
• Proven experience managing consultants, surveyors, and senior teams
• Commercial acumen + compliance expertise
• Natural leadership with a focus on people, purpose, and progress
• Experience shaping training, audits, performance reviews, and strategic goals
• Hunger to make change, and the drive to make it stick