Commercial Operations Director

HVAC Recruitment; Manchester; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

HVAC Recruitment is seeking a Commercial Operations Director to lead the Northern region (Manchester and Newcastle) for a growing engineering services business backed by private equity. You will drive performance, scale operations and embed a robust, growth-focused structure from day one.

This high-impact role requires hands-on leadership across regional teams, P&L ownership, and a clear track record of revenue growth, margin improvement and operational excellence in industrial services.

Responsibilities

• Full ownership of regional P&L performance
• Driving revenue growth and margin improvement
• Improving accountability, KPIs and operational consistency
• Leading and developing branch managers and regional teams
• Enhancing health & safety, compliance and service delivery standards
• Identifying and securing new business opportunities
• Building stronger local customer relationships alongside national contracts
• Supporting the wider business growth strategy

Job description

The Opportunity

We are exclusively partnered with a growing, private equity-backed engineering services business to appoint a Commercial Operations Director for their Northern region.

This is a pivotal hire at an exciting stage of the company’s journey - moving from a successful, organically grown business into a more structured, performance-driven organisation with ambitious growth plans.

If you’re someone who thrives on building, improving and scaling operations, this is a role where you can genuinely make your mark.

The Business (Confidential)

Our client is a well-established UK engineering services provider with a strong reputation in the delivery of specialist industrial access solutions and associated maintenance services.

Operating nationally, the business supports a diverse customer base across logistics, manufacturing, infrastructure and the public sector, delivering a mix of installation, planned maintenance and reactive services, alongside complementary fabrication capabilities.

Following recent private equity investment, the business is now entering a new phase of growth, focused on improving regional performance, driving consistency and scaling the operation over the next 3-5 years.

The Role

You will take full responsibility for the Northern region, overseeing two key branches (Manchester and Newcastle), with a combined turnover of c.£6-7m.

This role goes beyond day-to-day operations - it’s about driving performance, embedding structure and delivering growth.

Key responsibilities include:

• Full ownership of regional P&L performance
• Driving revenue growth and margin improvement
• Improving accountability, KPIs and operational consistency
• Leading and developing branch managers and regional teams
• Enhancing health & safety, compliance and service delivery standards
• Identifying and securing new business opportunities
• Building stronger local customer relationships alongside national contracts
• Supporting the wider business growth strategy

Newcastle is a strong, well-performing branch, while Manchester offers a clear opportunity for improvement and growth - making this a high-impact role from day one.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in a regional or multi-site leadership role
• Strong commercial and operational background
• Experience with full P&L ownership
• Background in engineering services, FM or a closely aligned sector
• Ability to operate at all levels - from senior leadership to engineers on-site
• Track record of driving change, improving performance and delivering growth
• A hands-on, pragmatic leadership style
• Experience within industrial access solutions, doors, fabrication or similar sectors would be highly advantageous.

Why Apply?

Join a business at the start of a major growth journey

Backed by private equity investment

Opportunity to shape a region and build something

High-visibility role with real influence

Strong long-term career potential as the business scales