Contract Director

Medirest; Dartford; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading support services provider is seeking a Soft Services Contract Director for a high-profile role at Darent Valley Hospital. The ideal candidate will oversee all soft FM services, ensuring operational excellence and compliance with NHS service standards. Strong leadership, commercial acumen, and stakeholder management are essential. This role offers competitive salary and benefits in a supportive healthcare environment.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Career development programmes

Access to healthcare benefits

Discounts with leading brands

Free wellness classes

Qualifications

• Proven track record in a senior Soft FM leadership role, ideally within a PFI and healthcare environment.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience managing large budgets and identifying growth opportunities.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and build trust at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead and improve the delivery of soft services at Darent Valley Hospital.
• Manage budgets and drive cost efficiencies.
• Build strong relationships with NHS Trust stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial acumen

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Job description

Overview

Soft Services Contract Director. Location: Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford. Salary: Competitive plus Benefits.

Join one of the UK’s leading support services providers, dedicated to delivering outstanding service within healthcare environments. We are currently seeking a commercially focused and experienced Soft Services Delivery Director to lead the full delivery of Soft Facilities Management (FM) services working in partnership with the NHS at Darent Valley Hospital. This is a high-profile leadership role, ideal for a senior professional with strong PFI experience, exceptional stakeholder management skills, and a proven track record in Soft FM operations within healthcare settings.

About the Role: You will be responsible for overseeing and continuously improving the delivery of all soft services—cleaning, catering, portering, waste, switchboard and retail operations to name a few—across the hospital. Your focus will include driving operational excellence, ensuring regulatory compliance, optimising financial performance, and enhancing patient and staff satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Lead all aspects of soft FM and retail operations, embedding a high-performance culture and ensuring service excellence.
• Financial Management: Manage budgets, drive cost efficiencies, and identify revenue opportunities to ensure the commercial success of the contract.
• Contract Performance: Ensure full compliance with all service level agreements (SLAs), key performance indicators (KPIs), and regulatory standards.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong, collaborative relationships with NHS Trust stakeholders, internal teams, and external partners.
• Team Development: Lead, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary team, ensuring professional development and high levels of engagement.
• Risk and Compliance: Maintain rigorous standards for safety, governance, and risk management across all service areas.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven track record in a senior Soft FM leadership role, ideally within a PFI and healthcare environment.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience managing large budgets and identifying growth opportunities.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and build trust at all levels.
• A deep understanding of contract management, compliance, and operational delivery in complex, regulated settings.
• A customer-centric mindset, ensuring services consistently exceed expectations.

What We Offer

We believe in recognising talent and supporting our people with competitive rewards and a broad benefits package, including:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Career development via our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Access to a Digital GP and wider healthcare benefits for you and your family
• Discounts with leading travel, retail, and grocery brands
• Cinema ticket savings and exclusive lifestyle rewards
• Free wellness and mindfulness classes
• Access to offers you can share with family and friends

About Us

At Compass Group UK&I, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace. We value the diverse perspectives and talents each colleague brings and are proud to promote equality, growth, and opportunity for all.

Diversity is Our Strength.

If you are ready to take on a high-impact leadership role in a vital NHS setting, we want to hear from you.