Senior Operations Manager, Surrey

Bridge Recruitment Group Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking a Senior Operations Manager to join a dynamic leadership team. You'll ensure operational excellence across a large portfolio in the cleaning sector, manage a substantial workforce, and drive compliance in an evolving landscape. This remarkable opportunity offers career growth, competitive remuneration, and a robust benefits package, ideal for candidates with a proven track record in operational management.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Company vehicle or travel allowance

20 days annual leave plus statutory bank holidays

Pension scheme

Professional development and training opportunities

Defined career progression pathway

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in senior operational leadership role in cleaning or facilities management.
• Experience managing multi-site operations with teams of 500+ personnel.
• Track record of managing contract portfolios exceeding £10 million.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic and daily cleaning operations ensuring service delivery.
• Manage a team of 7 operational leaders and oversee 500+ staff.
• Ensure compliance and adherence to client SLAs and KPIs.

Skills

Leadership

Client Management

Commercial Awareness

Communication

Digital Compliance

Education

IOSH, NEBOSH, BICS or similar industry qualifications

Tools

Workforce Management Platforms

Job description

Role: Senior Operations ManagerSalary: Competitive Job Status: Full Time/ PermanentLocation: South EastVacancy Reference: VR/05338

Role Description:Our client is seeking a results-driven and experienced Senior Operations Manager to join their leadership team. Reporting directly to the Operations Director, this position is pivotal in ensuring the effective delivery, performance, and compliance of cleaning services across a nationally distributed contract portfolio generating over £10 million in annual revenue.

You will lead a team of 7 direct reports (Account Managers, Area Managers, and Operations Managers), overseeing a frontline workforce of 500+ personnel, while driving operational excellence and aligning service delivery with both client expectations and contractual obligations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership across all cleaning operations within the assigned portfolio
• Line-manage a team of 7 operational leaders, fostering a high-performance culture and accountability
• Ensure consistent delivery of services in line with client SLAs, KPIs, and compliance standards
• Act as a senior point of escalation for clients, overseeing service reviews and relationship management
• Lead on health & safety, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance across all sites
• Support business-wide projects, contract mobilisations, and integration of new services
• Monitor operational performance and budgetary adherence, ensuring cost-effective delivery
• Collaborate with HR, Compliance, and Finance to drive aligned business outcomes

Candidate Profile:

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years in a senior operational leadership role within cleaning, soft services, or facilities management
• Proven experience managing multi-site operations and large, dispersed teams (500+ staff)
• Direct line management of 5-7 area or regional managers
• Demonstrated success in managing contract portfolios exceeding £10 million in value
• Strong commercial awareness, client management, and communication skills
• Proficiency in digital compliance and workforce management platforms

Desirable:

• IOSH, NEBOSH, BICS or similar industry qualifications
• Experience with TUPE, contract mobilisation, and change management
• Background in residential, social housing, student accommodation, or build-to-rent sectors

Key Attributes

• Decisive, proactive, and solutions-oriented
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to motivate and influence
• Commercially astute with a hands-on operational mindset
• Organised, resilient, and capable of managing competing priorities
• Commitment to service excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement

Benefits Package

• Competitive salary
• Company vehicle or travel allowance
• 20 days annual leave plus statutory bank holidays
• Pension scheme
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Defined career progression pathway within a growing and reputable organisation.