Operations Director

People Group; Essex; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

People Group is seeking an experienced Operations Director to work closely with the owner and senior leadership as the business scales within the interiors and fit-out sector. You will shape operations, review delivery processes, and drive strategic improvements while mentoring the team and cultivating key client relationships to fuel growth.

The role emphasizes practical leadership over corporate rigidity, with an emphasis on entrepreneurial thinking and strengthening existing client

Qualifications

• Senior operational leadership experience within commercial fit-out or refurbishment.
• Strong technical understanding of fit-out project delivery.
• Experience within a mid-large size, structured contractor environment.
• Commercially astute with a strong understanding of project performance, risk and margin.
• Track record of improving operational systems, processes and ways of working.
• Strong leadership skills with a genuine interest in developing people.
• Client-facing and comfortable developing both existing and new relationships.
• Entrepreneurial in approach, with confidence to challenge existing ways of working and introduce new ideas.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior operational leadership across the business, focusing on project delivery and commercial performance.
• Review and optimise operational processes, systems and ways of working to support growth.
• Mentor and develop individuals, creating progression opportunities within the team.
• Develop new opportunities and strengthen client relationships through active networking and industry knowledge.

Job description

Some Operations Director roles are about maintaining what is already there. This one is about helping shape what comes next.

We are working exclusively with a successful and rapidly growing interiors & fit-out contractor looking to appoint an Operations Director to work closely with the owner and senior leadership team as they enter the next stage of their growth.

The business has built an excellent reputation through the quality of its delivery and long-standing client relationships. With continued growth comes the opportunity to strengthen the structure behind the business, and they are looking for someone who can bring the experience, ideas and leadership to help them do exactly that.

Ideally coming from a larger fit-out or construction contractor, you will bring an understanding of the systems, processes and operational controls that allow businesses to scale successfully. Importantly, this isn't about making a growing contractor overly corporate, it's about identifying what works, what could work better and introducing the right level of structure to take the business forward.

You’ll have genuine influence across the company, reviewing operational processes, project delivery and commercial performance while working with the existing leadership team to identify improvements and implement new ideas.

People will be equally important. The owner is passionate about developing from within, so they want someone who enjoys mentoring and developing individuals, creating progression opportunities and helping the existing team grow alongside the business.

From a client perspective, you’ll take an active role in strengthening established relationships while using your own network and industry knowledge to help develop new opportunities and relationships.

What we're looking for:

• Senior operational leadership experience within commercial fit-out or refurbishment.
• Strong technical understanding of fit-out project delivery.
• Experience gained within a mid-large size, structured contractor environment.
• Commercially astute with a strong understanding of project performance, risk and margin.
• A track record of improving operational systems, processes and ways of working.
• Strong leadership skills with a genuine interest in developing people.
• Client-facing and comfortable developing both existing and new relationships.
• Entrepreneurial in your approach, with the confidence to challenge existing ways of working and introduce new ideas.

This could be particularly well suited to an experienced Operations Director, Commercial Director or Divisional Director who has worked within a larger contractor but likes the idea of joining a more agile business where they can have a genuine influence.