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Opportunity Brief:Operations Director (Projects)

Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Group) are a leading Executive search firm to the UK, North American and European Engineering, Technology, Sustainability & Heavy Manufacturing industries.

Our search directors, search consultants and research teams specialise in all horizontal functions of our client s organisation with expertise spanning engineering, commercial, procurement, HR, IT, finance, HSQE, sales, projects, operations and c-suite.

We are trusted by over 100 leading organisations when they seek to make a leadership appointment, be that a permanent appointment or an interim solution.

We have been retained and appointed by our client company on the search for an Operations Director who will play a pivotal role in overseeing and optimising the delivery of engineering solutions across projects and operations within the business.

Below you will find an opportunity brief developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between the Director of Executive Search and Senior Research Associate (Ford and Stanley Executive Search) and the Managing Director of the business. This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification.

Client Opportunity Statements: Integral to the continuous growth, reputation and capability of our business is the appointment of a dynamic and project-focused Operations Director. Someone who will be the catalyst in driving new processes, procedures and culture change for the company.

This individual will need to be hands-on and lead a projects team from the front, diligently balancing this with larger strategic decision making. We need someone who has a solutions not problems mindset who can take the low-hanging fruit issues we are facing and make a difference quickly.

With a project pipeline of £9m, a diverse customer base, and a strong focus on automation and electronics, for a capable driven Operations Director the business is an opportunity-rich environment, and we see this role as integral to our proactive and strategic expansion.

Challenges expected within the first 12 months include:

• There will be pressure to deliver at pace on multiple concurrent projects. They will need to significantly improve delivery times and adherence to the allocated budget.
• A turnaround in processes and procedures will be needed in order to allow the business to hit financial targets.
• Inspiring a solutions, not problems mindset amongst their teams.

Key deliverables within the first 12 months include:

• Changing the culture away from established and towards innovative ways of working. This leader will have the buy-in from the MD and will drive collaborative change internally.
• Process improvements that maximise value from the current sales pipeline. While the current financial targets are ambitious, they are realistic and achievable.
• The company are involved in complex and diverse projects and the incoming Operations Director will need to be capable of managing multiple fronts. Ensuring on-time and on-cost delivery of the projects pipeline.

Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience)

• Demonstrable experience in programme and operations management within an engineering or technical solutions environment.
• Experience in an Engineering/Manufacturing environment with a proven ability managing the projects or operational function of a similar-sized business.
• In-depth knowledge of operational processes, risk assessment, resource allocation and timeline optimisation.
• Open to candidates who are qualified by experience or degree educated.
  Strong self-awareness and understanding of the complexities of cross-functional team management.

Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours)

• A resilient character who will lead from the front.
• A dynamic individual who can react quickly and be a driver for positive operational and cultural change.
• The successful candidate will be able to win the hearts and minds of others in the business and increase engagement.
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of building and managing high-performing teams.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills to engage with internal teams, customers and stakeholders effectively.

Working Arrangements & Location:

The Operations Director will be based in South Yorkshire. While the company has a hybrid working policy of 3 days in the office, a present leader will be needed; the individual will likely be needed on-site 4 days a week, and their schedule will be dependent on workflow and business needs. It is likely the successful candidate will live within a 1-hour commute of the site.

Our Client s Interview Process:

• 1st Stage interview: On-site interview in South Yorkshire with the Managing Director and Engineering Director.
• Psychometric Assessment: will be sent to successful candidates between the 1st and 2nd stage interviews. Organised by Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Thomas International)
• Final Stage interview: On-site interview with the Managing Director and another one of the Directors.

Ford & Stanley Interview Process:

• 1st Stage Candidate Discovery: An open, conversational and consultative discussion where interested candidates are assessed on their suitability for the role in the context of the above and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, financial expectations and personal circumstances.
• 2nd Stage The shortlist : Candidates are asked to reflect on the candidate discovery discussion, take time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the client business reporting back on their thoughts, questions and providing additional specific information on their suitability (if applicable). Final checks of role, package and logistical alignments made.

Good to know:

• The Operations Director position has arisen as a result of the current incumbent making an internal move into an Engineering Director role.
• The successful individual will report into the Managing Director and oversee four direct reports.
• This individual will play a pivotal role in overseeing and optimising the delivery of engineering solutions across projects. This leadership position requires strategic foresight, operational expertise, and exceptional communication skills to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with company objectives. The ideal candidate will drive operational efficiency, introduce project governance, foster team collaboration, and strengthen customer relationships to support business growth and innovation.
• The company has had a positive period of integration with a wider parent group, as the business has financial backing and is looking to grow, as well as expand their reach in the market.
• While the business boasts an impressive engineering capability, the project management function has not conventionally been a prime focus for the business, and the new Managing Director has identified areas of improvement in project delivery and operational efficiency.
• The Operations Director needs a strong leadership and management skillset to oversee project delivery and optimise operations. They should excel in strategic planning, programme management, and risk mitigation while ensuring quality and efficiency across processes, supply chains, and resource allocation.
• Effective communication, stakeholder engagement, and analytical thinking are vital for building relationships, problem-solving, and driving data-driven decisions. Additionally, personal attributes such as resilience, adaptability, and innovative thinking are essential for thriving in dynamic environments and achieving growth.
• The Operations Director will be overseeing projects and operations, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives while managing cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality results on time and within budget.
• In order to achieve the changes required, the successful candidate will need to balance being firm and challenging, and be an inspiring leader who can engage the workforce and navigate the uneasiness that may arise around change.
• Due to the heavily projects-based nature of the business, the Operations Director will need to be experienced with project/programme management, with experience working as part of a PMO being ideal.
• If successful at the first-stage interview, all candidates will undergo Thomas International psychometric test. While a decision will not be made solely on the results, the test will be used to identify preferred leadership styles and strengths, which will inform the second-stage interview conversation. We are interested in high D candidates in DISK language. (Lower I or C)
• The role is exclusively retained by Ford & Stanley Executive Search managing the full opportunity lifecycle of the search on behalf of the client for all candidates

Budget:

Low: £80,(Apply online only) Mid: £85,(Apply online only) High: £90,(Apply online only)

Supporting benefits

• Car Allowance: £482 per calendar month.
• Bonus: There is no bonus with this role.
• Salary reviews: Annually
• Holidays: 25 days & 8 Statutory
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