Operations Director in Ewell

Aquarius is a specialist water treatment and hygiene services business, operating as part of the Vadella group. With a field team of approximately 26 engineers, we deliver expert Legionella risk management, pre-commission cleaning, water hygiene monitoring, and associated compliance services to clients across a range of sectors.

We are seeking an Operations Director to take broad ownership of the business — a genuine leadership role with accountability for commercial performance, organisational capability, and operational delivery. This is not an execution role. We are looking for someone who can set direction, build a scalable structure, and drive the next phase of Aquarius's growth within an acquisitive, scaling group environment.

Location: Camberley, Surrey & field based as required

Terms & Conditions: £70k+ dependent on experience and package commensurate with director-level appointment. Full Time, Permanent. 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays. Company vehicle.

Reporting To: Managing Director

Key Responsibilities:

• Business Ownership & Strategic Direction: Take broad ownership of Aquarius as a business — accountable for commercial outcomes, people performance, and operational delivery across the whole business. Define and drive the strategic direction of the business, translating the group's growth ambitions into clear operational priorities and measurable outcomes. Act as a genuine co-leader of the business alongside the MD, contributing to investment decisions, acquisitive growth, and the integration of new capabilities or businesses within the Vadella portfolio. Build and maintain a strong external profile — representing Aquarius at industry events, trade bodies, and within key client and partner networks.
• Commercial Leadership: Own the commercial performance of the business — taking direct accountability for revenue growth, margin, contract profitability, and pricing strategy. Lead contract strategy end-to-end: from pricing and tendering through to renewal, renegotiation, and portfolio optimisation — driving commercially sound, competitive outcomes. Identify and pursue new business opportunities including sector growth, geographic expansion, and new service lines, personally leading key pursuits where strategic value warrants it. Oversee the preparation and submission of payment applications, management of final accounts, and commercial administration across the portfolio. Work closely with the accounts team to maintain robust financial control and ensure the business delivers against its P&L commitments.
• Building a Scalable Leadership Layer: Build the leadership structure Aquarius needs to scale — identifying, developing, and where necessary recruiting the management layer that reduces dependency on any individual and creates a platform for sustainable growth. Develop the organisation's capability to operate effectively without over-reliance on current key individuals, ensuring continuity of performance as the business evolves. Lead, inspire, and develop the broader operational team — creating a high-performance culture with clear accountability, strong development pathways, and effective succession planning at every level. Drive workforce planning, resource allocation, and field management to maximise productivity, contract profitability, and team engagement.
• Performance Cadence & Data-Led Management: Establish and own a rigorous performance management framework — introducing clear cadences for operational, commercial, and people performance review across the business. Champion a data-led management culture, ensuring key metrics are defined, tracked, and acted upon consistently — from engineer productivity and contract margin to client satisfaction and compliance KPIs. Report into the Vadella group operating model with confidence, presenting clear performance data and narrative to the board and OpCo leadership on a regular basis. Drive accountability throughout the business, ensuring leaders at all levels own their numbers and make evidence-based decisions.
• Client Relationships & Account Growth: Serve as a senior point of contact for strategic clients, building long-term partnerships underpinned by technical credibility and consistent service delivery. Proactively identify and develop opportunities for account growth, cross-sell, and contract renewal across the existing client portfolio. Resolve complex technical and operational issues promptly, maintaining client confidence and protecting the Aquarius reputation.
• Technical Governance & Compliance: Provide credible senior oversight across water treatment and hygiene services, with particular authority in Legionella risk management (L8), pre-commission cleaning (BSRIA BG29/BG50), and relevant regulatory frameworks. Ensure the business maintains best-in-class compliance — overseeing quality management systems, accreditations (LCA, CHAS, Safecontractor, ISO), and audit readiness. Stay abreast of legislative and industry developments (HSG274, CIBSE, BSRIA) and translate these into operational policy and practice.

Skillset (Person Specification):

• Essential Requirements: Significant senior leadership experience within water treatment, water hygiene, or building services compliance — with a track record of leading commercial as well as operational outcomes. Proven commercial instincts: experience owning or co-owning P&L, leading pricing and contract strategy, and driving revenue growth through both existing accounts and new business. Demonstrated ability to build a leadership layer and create scalable organisational structures — not just manage an existing team. Experience operating in a scaling, acquisitive, or multi-site environment, with the judgment to navigate change and build for growth. Strong data-led management discipline — comfortable with performance frameworks, KPIs, and presenting commercial and operational data to senior stakeholders. Sufficient technical authority in Legionella risk management (L8) and related regulatory frameworks to command credibility with engineers, clients, and regulators. Exceptional client-facing skills with the ability to operate at Board and senior stakeholder level. Full UK driving licence.
• Desirable: Experience in an MD, Operations Director, or equivalent leadership role within a specialist contractor or compliance services business. Familiarity with field service management software and job management systems. IOSH, NEBOSH, or equivalent health and safety qualification. Experience managing or supporting industry accreditations (LCA, CHAS, Safecontractor, ISO).