Operations Director - Construction - 220K + Package

Lumen Search; Leinster; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Lumen Search seeks an experienced Operations Director to lead a substantial multi-site division delivering industrial scaffolding, access services and related works. Reporting to the MD, you will oversee operations, people, safety, client delivery and commercial performance across multiple contracts.

You will translate strategy into operational delivery, ensure profitable performance, manage large workforces, and maintain strong client relationships across industrial sites.

Qualifications

• Significant senior operational leadership experience within contracting, industrial services or project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the operational performance of the division.
• Lead the safe, efficient and profitable delivery of multiple client contracts and projects.
• Translate strategic objectives into clear operational plans and measurable outcomes.
• Ensure projects are appropriately planned, mobilised, resourced and managed.
• Maintain visibility across operational performance, productivity, utilisation and delivery.
• Identify operational risks and implement corrective actions.
• Drive consistency, accountability and best practice across all contracts.
• Lead a strong safety-first culture throughout the division.
• Ensure the highest standards of Health, Safety, Environment and Quality are maintained.
• Work closely with SHEQ leadership to monitor performance and continuously improve standards.
• Take senior responsibility for divisional operational and financial performance.
• Work closely with Commercial and Finance teams on budgets, forecasts and contract profitability.
• Monitor revenue, margin, labour productivity, utilisation and cost performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity and profitability.
• Support major commercial negotiations, tenders and contract renewals.

Skills

Senior leadership

Operational leadership

Safety culture

Contract delivery

Multi-site management

Stakeholder relationships

Commercial performance

Job description

Operations Director – Industrial Scaffolding / Access Services

Location: Head Office / Multi-Site

Reporting to: Managing Director

Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Role Overview

A leading industrial services business is seeking an experienced Operations Director to take overall operational leadership of a substantial multi-site division delivering industrial scaffolding, access and associated services to major clients.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this is a senior leadership appointment with responsibility for operations, people, safety, client delivery, commercial performance and continued business improvement.

The division operates across a portfolio of complex industrial environments and manages significant site-based workforces across multiple concurrent contracts.

The Operations Director will work closely with the MD and wider senior leadership team to translate business strategy into operational delivery, ensuring contracts are delivered safely, efficiently and profitably while maintaining strong relationships with key clients.

The position would suit an experienced senior operational leader from industrial services, scaffolding, specialist access, engineering, construction, utilities or another large-scale labour-intensive contracting environment.

Direct experience within industrial scaffolding or access services would be a significant advantage, but the broader requirement is for someone who understands how to lead complex multi-site operations, manage large workforces and take ownership of divisional performance.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Take overall responsibility for the operational performance of the division.
• Lead the safe, efficient and profitable delivery of multiple client contracts and projects.
• Translate strategic objectives into clear operational plans and measurable outcomes.
• Ensure projects are appropriately planned, mobilised, resourced and managed.
• Maintain visibility across operational performance, productivity, utilisation and delivery.
• Identify operational risks and implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Drive consistency, accountability and best practice across all contracts.

Health, Safety & Quality

• Lead a strong safety-first culture throughout the division.
• Ensure the highest standards of Health, Safety, Environment and Quality are maintained.
• Work closely with SHEQ leadership to monitor performance and continuously improve standards.
• Ensure operational managers and supervisors take clear ownership of safety performance.
• Maintain appropriate governance across complex and high-risk working environments.
• Take senior responsibility for divisional operational and financial performance.
• Work closely with Commercial and Finance teams on budgets, forecasts and contract profitability.
• Monitor revenue, margin, labour productivity, utilisation and cost performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity and profitability.
• Support major commercial negotiations, tenders and contract renewals.
• Ensure operational decisions support the wider commercial objectives of the business.
• Develop and maintain senior relationships with major industrial and infrastructure clients.
• Act as a senior escalation point across key contracts.
• Participate in strategic client reviews and commercial discussions.
• Ensure consistently high standards of service delivery and client satisfaction.
• Identify opportunities to grow existing accounts and broaden client relationships.
• Support the securing and mobilisation of new business.

People & Organisational Leadership

• Lead and develop senior operational managers and wider site-based teams.
• Establish clear accountability, performance standards and management structures.
• Ensure the business has the appropriate skills, supervision and resources across its contracts.
• Develop future leaders and support succession planning across the division.
• Promote strong collaboration between Operations, Commercial, Finance and SHEQ.
• Create a high-performance culture focused on safety, accountability and delivery.
• Work closely with the Managing Director on the continued development of the division.
• Support strategic planning, investment and resource decisions.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, reporting and operational processes.
• Evaluate opportunities across new clients, sectors and service areas.
• Ensure the operational structure can support continued and sustainable growth.
• Drive continuous improvement across productivity, planning, mobilisation and contract delivery.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will have significant senior operational leadership experience within a contracting, industrial services or project-delivery environment.

Previous experience may include positions such as:

• Operations Director
• Regional Director
• General Manager
• Managing Director
• Head of Operations
• Senior Operations Manager
• Senior Contracts Manager

Previous experience within industrial scaffolding or specialist access would be highly advantageous, particularly where this includes an understanding of labour productivity, mobilisation, supervision, equipment utilisation and delivery within complex industrial sites.