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- 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 in creating safe and welcoming spaces for shoppers and retailers.
- 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.
Key Account Director in Milton Keynes employer: Bidvest Noonan
Contact Detail:
Bidvest Noonan Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Key Account Director in Milton Keynes
✨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. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or industry professionals, 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 in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework before interviews! Understand the company’s values, recent projects, and challenges they face in the retail sector. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨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 shows your enthusiasm for joining our team. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive!
We think you need these skills to ace Key Account Director in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Key Account Director role. 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 explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your strategic leadership and operational excellence in previous positions. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics and data to demonstrate how you’ve driven performance and value creation in past roles. We’re all about results here at StudySmarter!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, we can’t wait to hear from 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 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 Scenario Questions
Expect questions about managing critical incidents or high-risk events. Think through past experiences where you’ve had to act quickly and effectively, and be ready to share how you handled those situations.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Since you'll be responsible for P&L, come prepared with examples of how you've managed budgets and identified growth opportunities in previous roles. Showing that you can think commercially will set you apart from other candidates.