At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead security and cleaning services across shopping centres, ensuring safety and operational excellence.
- Company: Join a leading organisation focused on innovation in retail environments.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with extensive travel and opportunities for career growth.
- 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 80000 - 100000 € 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.
Director, Account Executive employer: Bidvest Noonan
As a leading employer in the security and cleaning sector, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee growth and innovation. Our commitment to operational excellence and strategic leadership ensures that our team members are empowered to drive meaningful change across a national portfolio of shopping centres, while enjoying comprehensive benefits and opportunities for professional development. Join us to be part of a collaborative environment where your expertise will directly contribute to creating safe and welcoming spaces for customers and retailers alike.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Account Executive
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail and security sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential employers and showcase your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in operational excellence and compliance.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Share examples of how you've successfully led teams and managed large-scale operations. This will demonstrate your capability to drive performance and engagement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Account Executive
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your experience in security and cleaning operations, especially in retail environments. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your strategic leadership experience and how you’ve driven operational excellence in previous roles. Let us know why you’re the perfect fit for this position.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; highlight your achievements! Use specific examples of how you’ve improved service standards or managed budgets effectively. We love seeing quantifiable results!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
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 expert they need.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in multi-site operations before. Highlight your experience in mentoring and developing staff, 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 and contract negotiations. Think of specific instances where you've identified growth opportunities or improved margins.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your ability to build relationships with key clients and stakeholders. Prepare to talk about how you've successfully engaged with shopping centre owners, asset managers, and retail directors in the past.
