At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop operations in the London region for a dynamic accident repair company.
- Company: Join a fast-growing team at Activate Group, with nearly 1,000 members nationwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, private healthcare, and a bonus scheme.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture that values growth and celebrates success.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing high-performing teams in vehicle repair is essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Department: Activate Accident Repair
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday
Location: London Region; Kings Langley, Hampton, Tunbridge Wells
We are looking for a Regional Operations Manager to join our team and play a key role within Activate Accident Repair!
Activate Group is a growing UK business approaching 1,000+ team members nationwide. This is an exciting opportunity to build a long-term career with a company that values its people and offers genuine development and progression opportunities.
Role overview
As the Regional Operations Manager for the London Region, you will lead, manage, and develop your region's AAR sites, ensuring strong financial performance and consistent delivery of operational objectives.
Benefits
- 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- Bonus Scheme
- Car Allowance
- Private Healthcare (BUPA)
- Annual pay review
- Personal health cash plan - claim back the cost of things like dentist and optical check ups
- Enhanced maternity / paternity / adoption / shared parental pay
- Life assurance: three times basic salary
- Free breakfasts and fruit
- Birthday surprise for everybody!
Key responsibilities
- Operational & Financial Performance: Deliver and exceed budgeted financial targets for your region. Ensure all sites meet agreed KPIs, SLAs, and operational performance standards. Plan resources effectively in line with budgets and forecasts for each site. Maintain strong workflow control and capacity planning across all locations. Review performance dashboards and KPIs consistently, identifying shortfalls and implementing robust recovery plans. Identify opportunities for continuous improvement, championing initiatives that enhance quality, efficiency, and cost control. Work collaboratively with centralised teams to achieve required performance levels, including Activate Parts, Finance and Engineering. Support other regions where required, sharing best practice for the benefit of the wider group.
- Leadership & People Development: Provide direct line management to Bodyshop Managers within your region. Conduct regular site visits to implement change where needed and communicate financial and operational goals. Coach, develop, and support Bodyshop Managers through regular 121s, objective setting, and ongoing feedback. Foster a highly engaged workforce, using Group engagement survey data to drive meaningful action plans. Promote a positive, collaborative culture that reflects the "One AAR" business goal. Recognise and celebrate excellent performance using Group recognition schemes and local engagement initiatives. Work closely with the People Team to embed key people processes, including absence management, performance improvement, conduct and standards, talent management, and succession planning. Build strong working relationships across Activate Group, demonstrating a collaborative, supportive approach.
- Systems, Processes & Compliance: Work with the in-house team to develop and enhance the Onyx Bodyshop Management System to drive operational excellence and improved reporting. Ensure operational processes, controls, and procedures are consistently applied across all sites. Oversee Health & Safety requirements, ensuring policy compliance, audit performance, and swift corrective action where needed. Lead BSI Kitemark activities where required. Encourage a culture of continuous improvement by promoting operational consistency and supporting teams to adopt new and improved ways of working.
- Customer Experience: Ensure exceptional customer service across all sites, driving high levels of customer satisfaction. Manage customer complaints promptly and professionally, carrying out root cause analysis and implementing corrective action. Communicate openly and effectively with internal and external stakeholders to support excellent customer outcomes.
Skills and experience
- Proven experience leading and managing high-performing teams within a Bodyshop or vehicle repair environment.
- Demonstrated ability to build a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Strong organisational skills with a logical, methodical approach to problem-solving.
- Ability to explain technical issues clearly to non-technical colleagues or customers.
- Proven ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
- Strong customer focus with a track record of delivering service that exceeds expectations.
- Strategic thinker able to balance daily operational priorities with longer-term business goals.
- Multi-site or field-based management experience (preferred).
What We Offer
- Supportive and professional working environment
- Opportunity to grow with a dynamic and ambitious company
- Career development and progression opportunities
What you can expect from us
At Activate Group, we want everyone to have the tools and support they need to do their best work. We are an innovative business that continuously reviews and improves our systems, processes and ways of working, making sure they support our teams to do their jobs effectively.
Every role at Activate Group is aligned to our wider business vision and purpose - making someone's bad day better. You will understand how your role contributes to the bigger picture and how your work helps deliver excellent outcomes for customers and partners.
We believe work should be enjoyable. We make time to celebrate success, recognise achievements and bring people together at team events and company-wide celebrations. We will also support your ongoing development through regular feedback and career planning.
Whether you are based in one of our contact centres in Halifax, Peterborough or Huddersfield, working at an Activate Accident Repair (AAR) site, or working from home, you will be part of a supportive culture where people are encouraged to succeed.
A bit about us
Activate Group is a fast-growing business approaching 1,000 team members nationwide. We work with some of the UK's largest fleets and insurance companies, supporting drivers that have been involved in road incidents through our contact centres in Halifax, Peterborough and Huddersfield. We manage every step of the repair journey - repairing vehicles at our own Activate Accident Repair (AAR) body shops, as well as through a UK-wide network of trusted independent repair partners. We also work with the UK's largest vehicle manufacturers, supporting their approved repair programmes, and deliver innovative technology solutions to fleets, vehicle repair centres and dealerships.
Our purpose & values
Our purpose underpins everything we do: Make someone's bad day better. Our values define how we work with our team members, customers and suppliers:
- Make it happen - Be accountable. Take the initiative, work fast, and do a great job.
- Strive for better - Be bold. Challenge the norm - make small improvements often.
- Win together - Be a team player. Win together, learn together, respect each other.
Regional Operations Manager - Activate Accident Repair employer: Activate Group Limited
Contact Detail:
Activate Group Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Operations Manager - Activate Accident Repair
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with yours. This will help you answer questions more effectively and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Mock interviews can help you get comfortable with common questions and improve your confidence. Plus, it’s a great way to receive constructive feedback!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. It’s a small gesture that can make a big difference in the hiring process.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Operations Manager - Activate Accident Repair
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Regional Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing teams and driving operational excellence, as these are key for us at Activate Accident Repair.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've led teams to success and improved operational performance in previous positions.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see your leadership style! Use your application to demonstrate how you've developed and supported teams in the past, and how you plan to foster a positive culture within our organisation.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with Activate Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at Activate Group Limited
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Regional Operations Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of financial performance. Brush up on key metrics like KPIs and SLAs relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss how you've exceeded targets in previous positions and how you plan to do the same here.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role involves managing Bodyshop Managers, so highlight your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've developed teams, conducted performance reviews, and fostered a positive culture. Use specific anecdotes that illustrate your coaching style and ability to drive engagement.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Activate Accident Repair values operational excellence. Come prepared with examples of initiatives you've led that improved efficiency or quality. Discuss how you identify areas for improvement and implement changes, showcasing your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
✨Customer-Centric Mindset
Exceptional customer service is key in this role. Be ready to share experiences where you've managed customer complaints effectively or enhanced customer satisfaction. Highlight your ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical stakeholders to ensure excellent outcomes.