Business Manager

Ringway London; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ringway London is seeking an experienced Business Manager to drive operational excellence across the Kent highways contract. You will partner with operational teams to ensure efficient, high-quality service delivery and maintain strong relationships with Kent County Council and other key stakeholders.

Reporting to the Contracts Director, you will lead on performance management, continuous improvement, compliance and audits, embedding a culture of safety, quality and innovation while delivering

Qualifications

• Experience in business management, performance, or continuous improvement in infrastructure or highways.
• Strong governance, KPI, compliance and audit knowledge.
• Experience with ISO 9001/14001/45001/44001 standards.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder influence.

Responsibilities

• Lead business planning and delivery of strategy.
• Drive improvement initiatives and operational excellence across the contract.
• Oversee KPIs, performance metrics, and compliance activities.
• Coordinate internal/external audits (ISO/BSI/client).
• Lead health, safety, and environmental performance monitoring.
• IMS and quality lead, ensuring policies are up to date.
• Champion innovation and employee engagement.
• Support reporting and performance insights.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Tools

ISO standards management

Job description

Business Manager

Ringway is seeking an experienced Business Manager to support the delivery of operational excellence across the Kent County Council highways contract. This is a key leadership position responsible for driving performance, compliance, and continuous improvement across the contract.

The role will work closely with operational teams to ensure efficient, high-quality service delivery, while maintaining strong collaborative relationships with Kent County Council and key stakeholders.

The Role

Reporting to the Contracts Director, you will lead on operational excellence, performance management, and continuous improvement, ensuring the contract delivers right first time, every time.

You will work closely with operational teams and leadership to drive business planning, compliance, and strategic initiatives, while embedding a culture of quality, efficiency, and innovation.

Duties

• Lead the business planning process, supporting strategy development and delivery
• Drive operational excellence initiatives and continuous improvement projects across the contract
• Oversee and track contract KPIs, performance metrics, and compliance activities
• Manage and coordinate internal and external audits (ISO / BSI / client audits)
• Lead governance of health, safety, and environmental performance monitoring
• Act as the IMS and quality lead, ensuring systems, policies, and procedures are effective and up to date
• Champion innovation, communication, and employee engagement initiatives
• Drive social value and environment
• Support leadership teams with reporting, compliance calendars, and performance insights

Person Specification

• Experience in business management, performance, or continuous improvement within infrastructure, highways, or similar sectors
• Strong understanding of KPIs, governance, compliance, and audit processes
• Experience managing or supporting ISO standards (9001 / 14001 / 45001 / 44001)
• A confident communicator who can influence at all levels
• Highly organised, analytical, and solutions-focused
• Passionate about driving improvement, innovation, and operational excellence

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time - 40 - Monday to Friday

Business Unit: 5107 - Kent

Location: Maidstone

Fairness Inclusion & Respect

Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) at Ringway is about recognising and celebrating each other’s differences and what they bring to the team.

Harnessing this diversity and applying the experiences, abilities and unique qualities of individuals will enhance our business; therefore, we commit to equity of opportunity and fair treatment of all current and potential employees and encourage job applications from all.

Should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made as part of the application process please contact us directly.

Ringway recognises the importance of helping our employees balance their work and home life by offering flexible working arrangements across many of our roles which include working from home to enable employees to balance their working life with other priorities.