We are seeking an experienced and customer-focused Operations Lead to provide senior operational leadership across a complex, high-profile campus environment.
Reporting to the Campus Lead, you will be responsible for leading Soft FM operations, with a particular emphasis on cleaning services, while ensuring safe, seamless and high-quality service delivery across multiple service lines including logistics and landscaping.
Job Description
We are looking for a visible and credible leader who can translate strategic objectives into operational excellence, build strong stakeholder partnerships, and create a culture of accountability, engagement and continuous improvement.
This role will play a key part in driving service excellence, operational resilience and an outstanding workplace experience while ensuring compliance, commercial performance and team development objectives are consistently achieved.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and maintain operational control across all Soft FM services, ensuring exceptional service delivery and operational excellence across the campus.
Drive a customer-centric culture, continually reviewing how services are operating and identifying opportunities for improvement and added value.
Provide leadership and direction to multi-disciplined teams across cleaning and janitorial services, logistics and landscaping.
Ensure full compliance with Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.
Develop, coach and inspire teams to deliver high performance, accountability, engagement and service excellence.
Manage operational budgets, workforce planning and resource deployment to maximise productivity and financial performance.
Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, senior stakeholders, suppliers and wider business leadership teams.
Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives that enhance customer outcomes, operational efficiency and overall business performance.
Professional and Personal Competencies/Qualifications
Previous operational leadership experience within a complex, multi-service environment.
Strong background in managing cleaning services, ideally within corporate, hospitality, higher education or similarly high-standard environments.
Proven people leadership and team development experience across large and diverse workforces.
Strong customer focus with the ability to build trusted stakeholder relationships at all levels.
Sound financial acumen, including budget management, workforce planning and resource optimisation.
Strong communication and influencing skills with the ability to engage senior stakeholders.
Good understanding of health, safety and compliance requirements.
A continuous improvement mindset with the ability to drive operational excellence and innovation.
The Company
ISS is a world-leading workplace and facility management company, connecting people and places to make the world work better. Working with customers day by day, side by side, we understand every aspect of the user experience.
Through a unique combination of intelligent solutions, high standards and people who care, to help our customers achieve their purpose, whether it’s hospitals healing patients, businesses producing the next great innovation, or airports bringing passengers home to their families. ISS is committed to doing business the right way, taking its corporate responsibility very seriously. Our passion is people.
We offer you a challenging and exciting career in an organisation with people at its heart. In ISS, everyone has the opportunity to develop, grow and make a difference. #Becomewhoyouwant, #Bepartofsomethingbigger,
#facilitiesmanagement
ISS is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer.
ISS welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race (which includes race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin and caste), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background.
We are proud to be a Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award holder and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising our commitment to supporting veterans, reservists, and military families. Through our Joint Forces Programme, we provide mentoring and support to members of the Armed Forces community and their spouses as they transition into civilian careers.
We are a Disability Confident Committed (Level 2) employer, proudly supporting and promoting inclusive hiring practices in line with the UK government’s Disability Confident scheme.
Our passion for inclusivity and diversity makes ISS a more creative, productive and happy place to work.
If you have any further queries regarding this role, please contact the Resourcing Team by emailing resourcing.team@uk.issworld.com
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Company: ISS Facilities Services Salary: Not specified Hours: Full-time Location: Knutsford, WA16 9EU Working pattern: On-site Job type: Permanent Posting date: 25 Aug 2026 Closing date: 24 Sept 2026
Summary
Operations Lead
Location: Knutsford, WA16 9EU
Hours of work: 40
Contract Type: Permanent
We are seeking an experienced and customer-focused Operations Lead to provide senior operational leadership across a complex, high-profile campus environment.
Reporting to the Campus Lead, you will be responsible for leading Soft FM operations, with a particular emphasis on cleaning services, while ensuring safe, seamless and high-quality service delivery across multiple service lines including logistics and landscaping.
Job Description
We are looking for a visible and credible leader who can translate strategic objectives into operational excellence, build strong stakeholder partnerships, and create a culture of accountability, engagement and continuous improvement.
This role will play a key part in driving service excellence, operational resilience and an outstanding workplace experience while ensuring compliance, commercial performance and team development objectives are consistently achieved.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and maintain operational control across all Soft FM services, ensuring exceptional service delivery and operational excellence across the campus.
Drive a customer-centric culture, continually reviewing how services are operating and identifying opportunities for improvement and added value.
Provide leadership and direction to multi-disciplined teams across cleaning and janitorial services, logistics and landscaping.
Ensure full compliance with Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.
Develop, coach and inspire teams to deliver high performance, accountability, engagement and service excellence.
Manage operational budgets, workforce planning and resource deployment to maximise productivity and financial performance.
Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, senior stakeholders, suppliers and wider business leadership teams.
Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives that enhance customer outcomes, operational efficiency and overall business performance.
Professional and Personal Competencies/Qualifications
Previous operational leadership experience within a complex, multi-service environment.
Strong background in managing cleaning services, ideally within corporate, hospitality, higher education or similarly high-standard environments.
Proven people leadership and team development experience across large and diverse workforces.
Strong customer focus with the ability to build trusted stakeholder relationships at all levels.
Sound financial acumen, including budget management, workforce planning and resource optimisation.
Strong communication and influencing skills with the ability to engage senior stakeholders.
Good understanding of health, safety and compliance requirements.
A continuous improvement mindset with the ability to drive operational excellence and innovation.
The Company
ISS is a world-leading workplace and facility management company, connecting people and places to make the world work better. Working with customers day by day, side by side, we understand every aspect of the user experience.
Through a unique combination of intelligent solutions, high standards and people who care, to help our customers achieve their purpose, whether it’s hospitals healing patients, businesses producing the next great innovation, or airports bringing passengers home to their families. ISS is committed to doing business the right way, taking its corporate responsibility very seriously. Our passion is people.
We offer you a challenging and exciting career in an organisation with people at its heart. In ISS, everyone has the opportunity to develop, grow and make a difference. #Becomewhoyouwant, #Bepartofsomethingbigger,
#facilitiesmanagement
ISS is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer.
ISS welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race (which includes race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin and caste), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background.
We are proud to be a Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award holder and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising our commitment to supporting veterans, reservists, and military families. Through our Joint Forces Programme, we provide mentoring and support to members of the Armed Forces community and their spouses as they transition into civilian careers.
We are a Disability Confident Committed (Level 2) employer, proudly supporting and promoting inclusive hiring practices in line with the UK government’s Disability Confident scheme.
Our passion for inclusivity and diversity makes ISS a more creative, productive and happy place to work.
If you have any further queries regarding this role, please contact the Resourcing Team by emailing resourcing.team@uk.issworld.com
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
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Operations Lead in Knutsford employer: Allscreens Nationwide Ltd
Allscreens Nationwide Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the wellbeing of both employees and the individuals they serve. With a strong focus on professional development, team leaders are encouraged to grow their skills in a dynamic environment while making a meaningful impact in the lives of adults with learning disabilities. Located in Leicester, the company provides a unique opportunity to be part of a dedicated team committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care.
