Contract Manager

Axis Clc; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Passive Fire Protection contractor is seeking an Operations Manager to drive operational performance and project delivery. You will oversee fire protection projects, manage teams, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. This strategic role offers the opportunity to influence and shape operations during a significant growth phase. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership experience in the industry, knowledge of fire door installations, and project management skills. Competitive salary and long-term career progression are part of the offer.

Benefits

Competitive salary and package

Long-term career progression

Autonomy and supportive leadership

Qualifications

• Must have leadership experience within the Passive Fire Protection industry.
• Strong knowledge of fire door installations and compliance.
• Proven experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day‑to‑day delivery of passive fire projects.
• Lead site teams and ensure project compliance and safety.
• Manage client relationships for exceptional service.
• Monitor project performance, budgets, and timelines.

Skills

Leadership experience within the Passive Fire Protection industry

Knowledge of fire door installations

Project management skills

People-management skills

Understanding of health & safety regulations

Strong communication skills

Job description

About the Company

An ambitious and fast-growing Passive Fire Protection contractor specialising in commercial fire safety projects. While they deliver the full spectrum of passive fire services, a major focus of the business centres around new fire door installation projects. With a current turnover of £2 million and a clear growth plan to double year‑on‑year, this is an exciting opportunity to join the business at a pivotal stage.

The Role

As Operations Manager, you will play a key role in driving the operational performance of the business, ensuring high‑quality project delivery, strengthening client relationships, and helping guide the company through its next phase of growth. You’ll be responsible for overseeing multiple fire protection projects, building and managing teams, and ensuring all works meet compliance, safety and programme expectations. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a scaling environment and wants the autonomy to shape systems, processes and culture as the business expands.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee day‑to‑day delivery of passive fire projects, with a strong focus on fire door installation programmes.
• Lead and manage site teams, supervisors and subcontractors to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time and to specification.
• Work closely with Directors to develop and implement operational processes as the business scales.
• Manage client relationships, ensuring exceptional service and repeat business.
• Monitor project performance, budgets, labour, procurement and programme timelines.
• Ensure full compliance with fire safety regulations, certifications and industry standards.
• Support tendering, planning and resource allocation for new and ongoing projects.
• Drive continuous improvement across operations, reporting on performance and identifying areas to optimise.
• Assist with recruitment and development of operational staff as the team grows.

Requirements

• Must have leadership experience within the Passive Fire Protection industry (essential).
• Strong knowledge of fire door installations, fire stopping and wider passive fire compliance.
• Proven experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong people‑management skills with the ability to lead, mentor and motivate teams.
• Excellent understanding of health & safety, quality assurance and compliance frameworks.
• Confident communicator with the ability to work closely with senior management and clients.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, growing environment with scalable responsibilities.

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to join a growing contractor at a strategic time, with genuine influence over operations.
• Long‑term career progression as the business expands.
• Competitive salary and package.
• Autonomy, trust and a supportive leadership team invested in growth.