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- Tasks: Lead daily operations and drive transformation at Highcross Shopping Centre.
- Company: Highcross is a prestigious shopping destination in Leicester, poised for significant growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy the freedom to make impactful decisions and shape a vibrant culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a remarkable transformation and create a lasting legacy in retail.
- Qualifications: Senior ops/FM experience in large-scale retail or commercial assets required.
- Other info: Contact Alex for a confidential chat about this exciting opportunity.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Help lead the transformation of Highcross Shopping Centre, one of the UK’s most prestigious shopping destinations - create a legacy in the heart of Leicester.
Highcross is undergoing a major cultural and operational reset. Historically a flagship retail destination, it’s now poised for significant growth and reinvestment following a period of underinvestment. This role places you at the centre of that turnaround, giving you the platform to shape operational excellence, drive team performance, and create a lasting impact.
You’ll work closely with an ambitious Centre Director and leadership team, influencing everything from service delivery and statutory compliance to staff culture and stakeholder engagement. It’s a high-impact role that will require technical confidence, people leadership, and an ability to bring everyone on the journey: tenants, service partners, and internal teams alike.
Highcross is more than just another shopping centre. It’s a destination with history, scale, and potential and it’s on the cusp of a remarkable transformation. You’ll join at a key moment, with the freedom to make decisions, shape a culture, and be part of something genuinely career-defining. This is your chance to build your reputation, influence a top-tier asset, and win the hearts and minds of everyone on site.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Leading all day-to-day operations, ensuring service excellence, compliance, and centre presentation
- Managing hard & soft service contracts, driving contractor performance and accountability
- Overseeing health & safety, fire safety, and statutory compliance, including PPMs and audits
- Providing hands-on leadership to the site team – coaching, developing, and addressing underperformance
- Delivering capital projects and improvement works aligned to the centre’s regeneration strategy
- Acting as a key on-site presence – engaging tenants, service partners, and visitors
- Collaborating with Savills leadership on strategy, change management, and asset improvement
- Driving ESG initiatives, sustainability, and operational best practice
What We’re Looking For:
- Senior ops/FM experience across large-scale retail, commercial or mixed-use assets
- Strong M&E, technical, and contractor management knowledge – commercially astute
- Expert in H&S, risk, and statutory compliance within public-facing environments
- Confident team leader – sets high standards, develops people, and drives performance
- Familiarity with FM/property management structures (client-side or managing agent)
- Excellent stakeholder management skills – professional, responsive, and influential
- Proactive, hands-on attitude with a results-driven approach
- Comfortable navigating change and playing a key role in operational and cultural transformation
If you're interested in a confidential conversation to understand if this role is right for you, please reach out to Alex: 07533492894 // alex.m@andersenjames.com
Head of Operations employer: Andersen James Group
Contact Detail:
Andersen James Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Highcross Shopping Centre's history and recent developments. Understanding the centre's past challenges and future goals will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their vision during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the retail and facilities management sectors. Engaging with industry contacts can provide insights into the operational challenges faced by similar centres, which you can leverage to demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led operational transformations in previous roles. Highlighting measurable outcomes will showcase your ability to drive performance and create a lasting impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends in sustainability and ESG initiatives within the retail sector. Being knowledgeable about these topics will position you as a forward-thinking candidate who can contribute to Highcross's regeneration strategy.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in operations and facilities management, particularly in large-scale retail or mixed-use environments. Emphasise your leadership skills and any successful projects you've led that align with the transformation goals of Highcross.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the opportunity to lead the transformation at Highcross. Discuss your vision for operational excellence and how your background makes you the ideal candidate to drive change and engage stakeholders.
Showcase Relevant Achievements: Include specific examples of past achievements that demonstrate your ability to manage service contracts, ensure compliance, and lead teams effectively. Quantify your successes where possible to illustrate your impact in previous roles.
Research Highcross and Its Vision: Familiarise yourself with Highcross Shopping Centre's history, current challenges, and future plans. This knowledge will help you tailor your application and show that you are genuinely interested in contributing to its transformation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Andersen James Group
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Operations, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on coaching, development, and addressing underperformance.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with Highcross Shopping Centre's history and its current transformation. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals for operational excellence and cultural reset.
✨Highlight Your Technical Knowledge
Given the emphasis on compliance and contractor management, be prepared to discuss your expertise in health and safety, risk management, and statutory compliance. Specific examples will help illustrate your technical confidence.
✨Engage with Stakeholder Management
This role requires excellent stakeholder management skills. Think about how you can demonstrate your ability to engage with tenants, service partners, and internal teams effectively, showcasing your professional and responsive approach.
