Operations Director

An established and highly respected UK construction business is seeking an experienced Operations Director to join its senior leadership team in London. This is a pivotal appointment for a proven construction leader with extensive experience delivering major projects, leading operational teams, and driving business performance across a diverse portfolio.

This role offers the opportunity to influence strategic direction, support continued growth, and ensure the successful delivery of complex projects across multiple sectors.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across a substantial portfolio of construction projects. You will be responsible for ensuring excellence in project delivery, safety, quality, commercial performance, and client satisfaction while developing and leading high-performing regional teams.

The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping operational strategy, supporting business growth initiatives, and maintaining the highest standards across all areas of project delivery.

• Provide strategic leadership across a portfolio of major construction projects throughout London and the South East.
• Lead and develop operational teams to ensure consistent delivery of business objectives.
• Drive performance across safety, quality, programme, and commercial metrics.
• Ensure robust compliance with all SHEQ requirements and industry best practice.
• Support and mentor Regional Directors, Construction Directors, and senior project teams.
• Work closely with pre-construction, commercial, and business development functions to secure and successfully deliver future opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients, consultants, and stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
• Contribute to business planning, strategy development, and organisational growth.
• Full accountability for operational performance across a significant project portfolio.
• Responsibility for managing substantial budgets and improving financial outcomes.
• Leadership of a large multi-disciplinary workforce, including senior operational teams.
• Driving talent development, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.

You will be an accomplished construction leader with a strong track record of operating at a senior level within a major contractor environment. You will possess exceptional leadership skills, commercial awareness, and the ability to manage complex project portfolios while maintaining a client-focused approach.

• Significant experience in a senior operational leadership position within a main contracting environment.
• Experience managing complex project portfolios and regional operations.
• Strong commercial understanding with responsibility for financial performance.
• Excellent knowledge of UK construction legislation, health & safety, and operational governance.
• Demonstrable experience leading, mentoring, and developing senior teams.
• Strong client relationship and stakeholder management capabilities.

• Degree qualified in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).

• Competitive executive-level salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to join a leading and financially secure construction business.
• Strategic leadership role with genuine influence over operational performance and business growth.
• Long-term career opportunity within a highly regarded organisation delivering landmark projects.