Head of Field Operations

Utilise Recruitment; Slough; Remote; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Car Allowance

Remote Working

Senior Leadership Role

Career Progression Potential

Job summary

Utilise Recruitment is seeking a Head of Field Operations to oversee South region field delivery with remote work and regular travel across the Southern UK. You will lead regional managers and frontline teams, shaping operational performance across multiple contracts.

This senior role requires strategic leadership, delivery excellence, compliance, safety, and people development in a large, dispersed workforce. You will work with the senior team to drive growth and client satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience leading large field-based or multi-site operational teams.
• Background in compliance services, facilities management, security or related sectors.
• Proven experience managing senior management teams and complex reporting structures.
• Strong track record of delivering operational performance improvements.
• Experience in regulated or compliance-driven environments.
• Knowledge of workforce planning and service delivery frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across a regional field operations function.
• Develop and coach regional managers, team leaders and frontline teams.
• Ensure safe, efficient delivery aligned to contracts and standards.
• Drive consistency, accountability and service excellence regionally.
• Review performance data and implement improvement initiatives.
• Support mobilisation projects, budgeting and resource planning.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Strategic thinking

Planning

Education

Health & Safety qualification (IOSH/NEBOSH)

Management qualification or equivalent leadership experience

Job description

Head of Field Operations

Salary: £70,000 + Bonus + Car Allowance (Approx. Package Value: £98,000)

Location: Remote, Southern UK (with regular regional travel)

Reporting To: Operations Director

Direct Reports: Regional Managers, Team Leaders, Field-Based Operational Teams

Type: Senior Leadership

The Opportunity

Our client is a leading provider of operational and compliance services across a diverse portfolio of public and private sector environments throughout the UK. Due to continued growth and expansion, they are seeking an experienced Head of Field Operations to oversee service delivery across the Southern region.

This is a senior leadership position responsible for driving operational performance, developing high-performing management teams, and ensuring consistent delivery across multiple contracts and locations. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping operational strategy, supporting business growth, and maintaining exceptional standards of service, compliance, and client satisfaction.

The role offers significant autonomy, working closely with the senior leadership team to deliver strategic objectives while leading a large, geographically dispersed workforce.

Operational Leadership

• Provide leadership and direction across a regional field operations function.
• Manage and develop Regional Managers, Team Leaders, and frontline operational teams.
• Ensure operational activities are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with contractual requirements.
• Drive consistency, accountability, and service excellence across all locations.
• Review operational performance data and implement improvement initiatives where necessary.
• Ensure resources are effectively deployed to maximise productivity and service delivery.

Performance & Service Improvement

• Develop and execute operational plans aligned with business objectives.
• Monitor key performance measures, identifying trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead operational enhancement projects designed to improve efficiency, quality, and customer outcomes.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives across people, processes, and systems.
• Support the implementation of new technologies and operational best practices.

Leadership & People Development

• Lead and inspire a multi-level management structure across a wide geographical area.
• Support recruitment, succession planning, and talent development initiatives.
• Foster a positive, high-performance culture focused on engagement, accountability, and professional growth.
• Ensure workforce planning aligns with operational demands and future business requirements.
• Coach and mentor managers to maximise team performance and retention.

Compliance, Governance & Safety

• Promote a strong culture of safety, compliance, and operational integrity.
• Ensure policies, procedures, and industry standards are consistently applied.
• Investigate operational incidents, complaints, and compliance concerns, implementing corrective actions where required.
• Maintain oversight of quality assurance and audit processes.
• Support organisational compliance requirements and continuous improvement programmes.

Strategic & Commercial Responsibilities

• Work alongside the Operations Director to support the wider operational strategy.
• Produce management reports, operational reviews, and performance summaries for senior stakeholders.
• Contribute to mobilisation projects, new service launches, and operational integration activities.
• Support forecasting, budgeting, and resource planning activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, scalability, and overall operational performance.
• Assist with organisational growth plans and future operational structure development.

Candidate Profile Essential Experience

• Demonstrable experience leading large field-based or multi-site operational teams.
• Background within sectors such as compliance services, facilities management, security, environmental services, public-facing operations, infrastructure, enforcement, or similar operational environments.
• Proven experience managing senior management teams and complex reporting structures.
• Strong track record of delivering operational performance improvements.
• Experience working within regulated or compliance-driven environments.
• Knowledge of workforce planning, performance management, and service delivery frameworks.

Key Skills

• Strong leadership capability with experience building and developing successful teams.
• Commercial awareness and sound business judgement.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Data-led decision-making and analytical problem-solving ability.
• Ability to manage competing priorities within a fast-paced operational environment.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• Resilient, proactive, and outcome focused.
• Experience influencing operational change and driving continuous improvement.

Desirable

• Experience within public realm operations, security management, facilities management, or related sectors.
• Exposure to operational transformation or business change programmes.
• Health & Safety qualification such as IOSH or NEBOSH.
• Formal management qualification or equivalent leadership experience.

Package

• £70,000 Basic Salary
• Performance Bonus
• Car Allowance
• Approximate Total Package Value: £98,000
• Remote Working
• Senior Leadership Opportunity
• Significant Career Progression Potential
• Nationally Visible Position Supporting Continued Business Growth