Business Director

Compass Group UK; Bristol; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent UK service provider is seeking a Business Director to lead operational excellence across the South of England. This influential role focuses on strategic growth, enhancing customer experience, and cultivating leadership within teams. Candidates should have a strong background in senior operations, excellent financial insights, and a track record of successful client relationship management. Join us to define purposeful leadership and impact in service-oriented environments.

Benefits

Opportunity for career growth

Dynamic work environment

Involvement in influential projects

Qualifications

• Strong record of success in senior operations or commercial leadership.
• Deep experience managing people and performance.
• Strong financial and analytical capability.

Responsibilities

• Set a bold vision for growth and service excellence.
• Drive commercial performance and elevate the customer experience.
• Mentor and inspire leaders across the region.

Skills

Leadership and mentoring

Strategic insight

Operational management

Commercial performance

Financial analysis

Client relationship management

Job description

Overview

Business Director — Lead with Purpose. Shape What’s Next. South of England

At ESS - Defence, Marine & Aerospace, we don’t just deliver services. We enable missions, support people, and create exceptional environments for those who serve, protect, and innovate.

Now, we’re searching for a Business Director, a bold and inspiring leader who can elevate our operational landscape across the South West, championing both commercial strength and service excellence. This is more than a role—it’s an opportunity to influence an organisation that sits at the heart of some of the UK’s most important sectors.

What this role stands for

Impact that matters

You’ll shape the strategic direction of a diverse, high-performing business that supports critical environments—places where world‑class service truly makes a difference.

Leadership with humanity

You’ll guide and develop an exceptional management community, building a culture where people feel valued, empowered, and proud of the work they do.

Innovation in action

You’ll use insight, data and creativity to enhance operational performance, strengthen partnerships, and unlock new opportunities for growth and excellence.

Partnership at its core

You’ll be the face of ESS for key clients and stakeholders—building trust, listening closely, and ensuring our solutions always meet the needs of the people we serve.

What you’ll lead

In this pivotal role, you will:

• Set a bold vision for growth, retention and outstanding service across your region.
• Bring strategic focus to operational delivery—driving commercial performance and elevating the customer experience.
• Mentor, coach and inspire leaders at every level, cultivating a resilient and inclusive talent pipeline.
• Oversee resources, budgets and performance with clarity, commerciality and foresight.
• Build strong relationships with clients, partners and industry bodies—representing ESS with confidence, professionalism and integrity.
• Stay close to the voices of customers and teams, ensuring our services continually evolve and excel.

Who you are

You are a leader who combines strategic insight with operational sharpness. Someone who thrives in dynamic, people‑driven environments and embraces the challenge of steering a complex regional business with confidence.

You’ll bring:

• A strong record of success in senior operations or commercial leadership.
• Deep experience managing people, performance and complex portfolios.
• Strong financial, commercial, and analytical capability.
• The confidence to influence, negotiate and inspire at every level.
• A collaborative mindset and a passion for delivering exceptional service.
• Experience from sectors such as facilities services, hospitality, defence, marine, aerospace or other multifaceted operational environments (advantageous, but not essential).
• A commitment to excellence and the drive to continually raise the bar.

Why ESS?

Because here, leadership has purpose. You’ll join a business where innovation, service, and people sit at the centre of everything we do, and where your influence will be felt across an organisation that plays a vital role in supporting highly specialised communities every single day.

If you’re ready to lead with impact, shape growth, and take your career to the next stage, we’d love to hear from you.