Operations Manager (Soft Services) - North UK

Compass Group; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading facilities management company is seeking an Operations Manager for the North UK. The role involves overseeing multiple cleaning contracts, ensuring service excellence, and leading site teams. Key qualifications include 5+ years in cleaning operations management, strong communication skills, and a full UK driving licence. The position offers competitive salary, car allowance, and opportunities for growth in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary up to £50,000

Company car or car allowance

Private Healthcare

Laptop and phone

Flexible working environment

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience managing multi-site or multi-client cleaning operations.
• Strong understanding of cleaning standards, processes, and compliance.
• Proven experience managing budgets and teams across multiple locations.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and leadership skills.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of multiple cleaning contracts across the North UK.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring service excellence.
• Lead, coach, and support site-based teams to deliver high standards consistently.
• Monitor performance, budgets, and compliance with health & safety standards.
• Identify opportunities for service improvements and efficiencies.
• Support tendering, mobilisations, and business development activities.
• Contribute to wider soft services delivery.

Skills

Cleaning operations expertise

Client relationship management

Leadership skills

Budget management

Health & safety compliance

Job description

Operations Manager (Soft Services) - North UK

Operations Manager (North UK)Role will cover the North of the UK (including Scotland)ideally we are looking for candidates with a home base around Newcastle. National travel will be required.Are you a seasoned cleaning operations expert ready to take the next role in your career? We’re looking for an experienced Facilities Management Operations Manager to lead and support our cleaning and soft services contracts across the North of the UK.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary up to £50,000, dependent on experience
• Company car or car allowance
• Private Healthcare
• Laptop, phone, and mileage expenses
• Opportunity to shape service delivery across a growing region
• Supportive, flexible working environment

About the Role

As our Operations Manager, you’ll be responsible for overseeing a portfolio of multi-client cleaning contracts, ensuring service excellence, strong client relationships, and efficient operational delivery. You’ll lead and develop on-site teams, drive continuous improvement, and help grow our reputation for quality and reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of multiple cleaning contracts across the North UK
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring service excellence
• Lead, coach, and support site-based teams to deliver high standards consistently
• Monitor performance, budgets, and compliance with health & safety standards
• Identify opportunities for service improvements and efficiencies
• Support tendering, mobilisations, and business development activities
• Contribute to wider soft services delivery

About You

We’re looking for a hands‑on and motivated leader with a passion for service quality. You’ll be an expert in cleaning operations and thrive in a dynamic, client‑facing environment.

Essential

• Minimum 5 years’ experience managing multi‑site or multi‑client cleaning operations
• Strong understanding of cleaning standards, processes, and compliance
• Proven experience managing budgets and teams across multiple locations
• Excellent communication, organisational, and leadership skills
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel

Desirable

• Experience in additional soft services (e.g. security, waste, pest control, grounds, reception) would be an advantage
• Proven sales and retention experience, with a track record of business growth and service expansion

For more information about careers at 14forty and our benefits please visit: Careers at 14forty

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!