At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead security and cleaning services for 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.
- Other info: Dynamic role with extensive travel and career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in creating safe and welcoming environments for shoppers.
- 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/Senior Account Director employer: Bidvest Noonan
As a leading employer in the security and cleaning sector, we offer a dynamic work environment that prioritises operational excellence and strategic innovation. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training programmes and leadership development opportunities, ensuring that our team members thrive in their careers. Located at the heart of the retail industry, we foster a culture of collaboration and inclusivity, making us an attractive choice for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director/Senior Account 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 you land that dream job.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or at networking events, make sure to highlight your experience in security and cleaning operations. Share specific examples of how you've driven operational excellence and improved performance in previous roles. We want to see your passion and expertise 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 thoughtful questions to ask them too – it shows you’re genuinely interested and engaged.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly. Let’s make it happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Director/Senior Account Director
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 performance or driven value in past roles. Numbers and results speak volumes to us.
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 ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!
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 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 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 stakeholders. Prepare to talk about how you've engaged with shopping centre owners, asset managers, and retail directors in the past, and how you plan to do so in this role.
