Head Of Operations

Compass Group UK; Harrow; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension scheme

Career Pathways and MyLearning

Digital GP access

Travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, &

Discounts on groceries (Tesco, Sainsb.

Up to 44% off cinema tickets

Cash rewards on spend

Wellness and fitness classes

Discounts for friends and family

Job summary

Head of Operations at Compass Group UK is responsible for leading the delivery of all Soft FM services within a hospital environment. This senior role requires strategic oversight, managing large teams and ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality services that support patient care and operational performance.

You will drive continuous improvement, manage regulatory compliance, and maintain strong stakeholder relationships while delivering value and transformation across the portfolio.

Qualifications

• Significant senior operational management experience within healthcare, facilities management, contract catering, hospitality, or support services.
• Proven experience leading large-scale, multi-functional operations.
• Strong leadership and people development skills with the ability to inspire high-performing teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing budgets and operational performance.
• Experience delivering continuous improvement and transformational change.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a complex, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across all Soft FM services.
• Ensure services are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with contractual, statutory, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead, develop, and inspire large multi-disciplinary teams to achieve operational excellence.
• Drive service improvement initiatives, innovation, and efficiency programmes.
• Monitor and improve operational performance through KPIs, audits, and performance reviews.
• Manage budgets, labour costs, and financial performance to deliver value and efficiency.
• Build strong relationships with clients, senior stakeholders, and hospital leadership teams.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, Food Safety, and Infection Prevention & Control standards.
• Lead operational change, mobilisation activity, and transformation projects.
• Foster a culture focused on customer service, accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Senior leadership

Healthcare FM experience

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Continuous improvement

People development

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Relevant qualifications in operations, facilities management, hospitality, or business management

Job description

Head of Operations

Harrow, London

£68,000 per annum + benefits

Full Time | Permanent

Healthcare Services

We’re looking for an experienced and strategic Head of Operations to lead the delivery of all Soft FM Services within a busy hospital environment.

This is a senior leadership position responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and high-quality delivery of services that directly support patient care, operational performance, and customer experience. You’ll lead large teams, drive continuous improvement, manage key stakeholder relationships, and ensure contractual and regulatory compliance across all areas of responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across all Soft FM services.
• Ensure services are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with contractual, statutory, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead, develop, and inspire large multi-disciplinary teams to achieve operational excellence.
• Drive service improvement initiatives, innovation, and efficiency programmes.
• Monitor and improve operational performance through KPIs, audits, and performance reviews.
• Manage budgets, labour costs, and financial performance to deliver value and efficiency.
• Build strong relationships with clients, senior stakeholders, and hospital leadership teams.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, Food Safety, and Infection Prevention & Control standards.
• Lead operational change, mobilisation activity, and transformation projects.
• Foster a culture focused on customer service, accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Significant senior operational management experience within healthcare, facilities management, contract catering, hospitality, or support services.
• Proven experience leading large-scale, multi-functional operations.
• Strong leadership and people development skills with the ability to inspire high-performing teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing budgets and operational performance.
• Experience delivering continuous improvement and transformational change.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a complex, fast-paced environment.

Desirable

• Experience within a healthcare or NHS environment.
• Knowledge of Soft FM operations and service delivery models.
• Understanding of Infection Prevention & Control requirements and healthcare compliance standards.
• Experience managing large outsourced service contracts.
• Relevant qualifications in operations, facilities management, hospitality, or business management.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious operational leader to take ownership of a significant Soft FM portfolio and play a key role in delivering outstanding services within a major healthcare environment.

We ensure you’re rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

About Us

Part of Compass Group UK&I, Medirest is the specialist healthcare operating company of Compass Group UK & Ireland, providing a full range of hotel services, including staff, patient and visitor catering, domestics, portering, security and reception, at over 130 NHS Trusts and private hospitals.

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!