At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead security and cleaning services across shopping centres, ensuring safety and operational excellence.
- Company: Join a leading firm focused on retail security and cleaning solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and professional development in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor teams and drive innovation in a fast-paced industry.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on customer safety and service quality in vibrant shopping centres.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in multi-site operations and strong understanding of UK regulations.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
We are looking for an established Key Account Director to join us, focusing on Security & Cleaning within our retail business. You'll be responsible for the strategic leadership, operational excellence, and commercial performance of all services delivered across a national portfolio of shopping centres. You'll ensure safe, secure, welcoming, and compliant environments for customers, retailers, landlords, and asset managers, while driving continuous improvement, contract performance, and value creation.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
- Define and deliver a national strategy for security and cleaning services aligned with client, landlord, and asset management objectives.
- Act as the senior subject-matter expert for retail security, customer safety, and cleaning excellence within shopping centre environments.
- Lead nationwide initiatives covering innovation, technology adoption, sustainability, and service transformation.
- Represent the organisation at senior level meetings, client forums, and industry bodies.
- Operational Excellence
- Oversee security (manned guarding, mobile patrols, control rooms, CCTV, incident management) and cleaning operations across multiple shopping centres.
- Ensure consistent high service standards, customer experience, and brand alignment across all sites.
- Establish and monitor KPIs, SLAs, and performance frameworks, driving accountability at regional and local levels.
- Manage critical incidents, high-risk events, and business continuity planning.
- Preparation and delivery of monthly and quarterly client review presentations.
- Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure full compliance with UK legislation and industry standards, including:
- Health & Safety at Work Act
- BS 7499 (Security Guarding)
- SIA licensing and ACS standards
- COSHH and cleaning compliance
- Equality, Safeguarding, and Data Protection requirements
- Lead risk assessments, audits, and governance reviews across the national estate.
- Act as the escalation point for serious incidents, reputational risk, and client concerns.
- Commercial & Financial Management
- Hold full P&L responsibility for the national shopping centre portfolio.
- Manage budgets, cost control, margin delivery, and value engineering.
- Lead contract negotiations, mobilisations, retentions, and renewals.
- Identify growth opportunities, added-value services, and innovation pathways.
- Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Develop senior relationships with:
- Shopping centre owners and landlords
- Managing agents and asset managers
- Retail directors and centre management teams
- Serve as the primary national escalation point for key clients.
- Support bids, tenders, and proposals relating to shopping centre security and cleaning.
- People Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing soft services team at each centre.
- Drive engagement, diversity, wellbeing, and talent development across large frontline workforces.
- Ensure robust succession planning and capability building.
- Champion a culture of professionalism, accountability, and customer focus.
Person Specification
- Proven senior leadership experience in multi-site security and/or cleaning operations, ideally within shopping centres or retail estates.
- Strong understanding of UK security and cleaning regulations, standards, and best practice.
- Demonstrable experience managing large-scale P&L and complex contracts.
- Ability to operate credibly at client and executive level.
- Excellent people leadership skills across geographically dispersed teams.
- Commercially astute, data-driven, and outcome focused.
- Willingness to travel extensively across the UK.
Account Director / Director employer: Bidvest Noonan
As a leading employer in the security and cleaning sector, we offer our Account Directors a dynamic work environment that prioritises operational excellence and strategic innovation. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our robust training programmes and leadership development initiatives, ensuring you thrive in your role while contributing to a safe and welcoming atmosphere across our national portfolio of shopping centres. Join us to be part of a culture that values professionalism, accountability, and customer focus, all while enjoying the unique advantage of working within a diverse and supportive team dedicated to continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Director / Director
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help land that dream job.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or industry peers, make sure to highlight your experience in security and cleaning operations. Share specific examples of how you've driven operational excellence and improved service delivery. We want to see your passion and knowledge shine through!
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework before any interview! Understand the company’s values, recent projects, and challenges they face in the retail sector. We recommend preparing some insightful questions to ask them too – it shows you’re genuinely interested and engaged.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for the latest job openings! Applying directly through us not only streamlines the process but also gives you a better chance of being noticed. We’re excited to see your application and hopefully welcome you aboard!
We think you need these skills to ace Account Director / Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Account Director. Highlight your experience in security and cleaning operations, especially in retail environments. We want to see how your skills align with our strategic leadership and operational excellence goals.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past successes in managing P&L and leading teams, and don’t forget to mention your understanding of UK regulations.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:We’re looking for someone who can lead and inspire a team. In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership style. Talk about how you’ve developed high-performing teams and driven engagement in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bidvest Noonan
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of security and cleaning regulations, especially those relevant to shopping centres. Being able to discuss UK legislation and industry standards confidently will show that you're the right fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in multi-site operations. Highlight your experience in mentoring and developing talent, as well as how you've driven engagement and accountability within your teams.
✨Be Ready for Commercial Conversations
Since you'll be responsible for P&L, come prepared to discuss your experience with budget management, cost control, and contract negotiations. Think of specific instances where you've identified growth opportunities or added value in previous roles.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your ability to build relationships with key stakeholders. Prepare to talk about how you've engaged with shopping centre owners, asset managers, and retail directors in the past, and how you can bring that expertise to the table.
