Operations Director
7 days ago
Manchester
Operations Director – Passive Fire (Nationwide)\n North England (Ideally Sheffield-based) with Nationwide Coverage\n £80,000 – £85,000 + Car Allowance\n\nAn established Facilities Management organisation is seeking an experienced Operations Director – Passive Fire to lead and develop their nationwide passive fire division. This is a senior leadership role offering the opportunity to shape strategy, drive operational excellence, and oversee large-scale compliance-focused projects across the UK.\n\nWorking in partnership with a leading agency, this position is ideally suited to a driven and commercially aware professional with a strong background in passive fire protection and team leadership.\n\nKey Responsibilities:\n\nSet and deliver the overall operational strategy for the passive fire division, aligning with wider business objectives and growth plans\nLead the end-to-end delivery of passive fire projects nationwide, ensuring all works are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards\nEnsure full compliance with current fire safety legislation, third-party accreditation requirements, and industry best practices (e.g. FIRAS, BM TRADA)\nOversee audit processes, quality assurance programmes, and site inspections to maintain consistent standards across all regions\nBuild, lead, and develop a high-performing national team, including Contracts Managers, Supervisors, and site-based operatives\nImplement training and development plans to upskill teams and maintain competency in line with regulatory requirements\nAct as the senior point of contact for key clients, developing long-term relationships and ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction and retention\nWork closely with commercial teams on tender submissions, pricing strategies, and contract negotiations to secure new business\nMonitor financial performance across projects, managing budgets, forecasting, and ensuring profitability targets are met or exceeded\nIdentify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies to protect the business and ensure continuity of service\nDrive continuous improvement initiatives, introducing efficiencies in processes, systems, and resource planning\nCollaborate with other business units within the FM organisation to ensure integrated service delivery across contracts\nProvide regular reporting to senior leadership on operational performance, KPIs, compliance metrics, and growth opportunit\nRequirements:\n\nExtensive experience (typically 8–10+ years) within passive fire protection, with a strong track record in senior operational or director-level roles\nIn-depth technical knowledge of passive fire measures including fire stopping, compartmentation, fire doors, and fire protection systems\nStrong understanding of UK fire safety legislation and guidance, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order and relevant British Standards\nProven experience managing large-scale, multi-site contracts across a national footprint within the FM, construction, or specialist fire protection sectors\nDemonstrable leadership experience managing and developing large teams, including senior managers, with the ability to build high-performing, accountable cultures\nExperience working with third-party accreditation schemes such as FIRAS, BM TRADA, or equivalent, with a clear understanding of audit and compliance processes\nCommercially astute with experience in P&L responsibility, budget management, cost control, and driving profitability across business units\nStrong experience in client relationship management, particularly with Tier 1 contractors, public sector frameworks, housing associations, or blue-chip clients\nProven ability to contribute to and win new business, including involvement in tendering, bid writing, and strategic growth initiatives\nExcellent knowledge of health & safety legislation and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of HSEQ across all operations\nStrong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and implement effective solutions\nExcellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to engage at board level as well as across operational teams\nFull UK driving licence and willingness to travel nationwide as required\nWhat’s on Offer:\n\nCompetitive salary of £80,000 – £85,000\nCar allowance\nOpportunity to lead a growing national division\nCareer progression within a forward-thinking organisation\nThis is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious professional looking to make a significant impact within a reputable and expanding FM business