At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop social housing repairs and maintenance operations across the South West.
- Company: Established South West contractor with an entrepreneurial culture.
- Benefits: Competitive executive-level salary, strong benefits package, and significant operational responsibility.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to shape the future of the business.
- Why this job: Make a genuine impact and influence business strategy in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in social housing repairs, strong leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
An established and growing South West regional contractor is looking to appoint an experienced Operations Director to lead and further develop its social housing repairs and maintenance business. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an operationally strong, commercially aware individual who can take ownership of a complex, customer-focused repairs and maintenance operation and help shape its next phase of growth.
Working closely with the Managing Director and wider senior leadership team, you will have responsibility for the day-to-day operational performance, customer outcomes, people, commercial delivery and strategic development of the business.
The Role
As Operations Director, you will provide clear leadership across a sizeable social housing repairs and maintenance operation, ensuring contracts are delivered safely, efficiently and to consistently high standards. Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading the operational delivery of social housing repairs and maintenance contracts across the South West.
- Taking overall responsibility for service performance, productivity, customer satisfaction and operational KPIs.
- Leading and developing a multidisciplinary operational team, including contract managers, operational managers, supervisors and directly employed trades.
- Building strong relationships with housing association clients, residents, supply chain partners and other key stakeholders.
- Driving continuous improvement across responsive repairs, voids, planned works and associated maintenance services.
- Ensuring robust compliance with health & safety, quality, regulatory and contractual requirements.
- Working closely with the commercial and finance functions to maintain strong contract performance and financial control.
- Identifying opportunities to improve productivity, technology, systems and ways of working.
- Supporting the development of existing client relationships and contributing to future tenders, mobilisation and business development activity.
- Providing clear operational reporting and insight to the Board and senior leadership team.
- Developing a high-performance culture focused on accountability, customer service and operational excellence.
About You
We are looking for an experienced senior operational leader who understands the demands of delivering social housing repairs and maintenance at scale. You are likely to have operated at Operations Director, Regional Operations Director, Divisional Director, Head of Operations or a similar level within a contractor, housing maintenance provider or related organisation. You will bring:
- Significant experience within social housing repairs and maintenance, property services, construction or facilities management.
- Proven leadership experience across large operational teams and geographically dispersed workforces.
- A strong understanding of responsive repairs, voids, planned maintenance and client-led service environments.
- A demonstrable track record of improving operational performance, productivity and customer outcomes.
- Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of contract P&L, budgets, margins and performance.
- Experience managing senior client relationships and operating within demanding contractual environments.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.
- A pragmatic, visible and collaborative leadership style.
- The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational leadership.
Most importantly, you will be someone who gets things done – able to establish clear accountability, develop people, solve operational challenges and build strong relationships with clients and customers.
Why Join?
This is an opportunity to join a well-established South West contractor with an entrepreneurial culture and the opportunity to make a genuine impact. The successful candidate will have significant influence over the future direction of the repairs and maintenance business, working alongside an experienced senior leadership team while having the autonomy to improve and develop the operation.
The role offers:
- A genuine senior leadership position with significant operational responsibility.
- The opportunity to influence business strategy and future growth.
- A strong platform from which to develop people, processes and performance.
- A collaborative, entrepreneurial working environment.
- A competitive executive-level salary and benefits package.
Interested?
If you are an experienced operations leader with a strong background in social housing repairs and maintenance and are looking for a senior role where you can make a measurable difference, we would be keen to hear from you. Apply now for a confidential discussion about the opportunity.
Operations Director in Bristol employer: Build Recruitment
Join a reputable social housing contractor in Havant, where you will be part of a dedicated team committed to delivering high-quality repairs and maintenance services. With competitive pay at £18.70 per hour and a Monday to Friday schedule, this role offers a stable work environment and the chance to contribute to meaningful community projects. The company fosters a supportive culture that values teamwork and prioritises employee growth, making it an excellent employer for those seeking a rewarding career in skilled labour.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director in Bristol
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Build Recruitment, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Operations Director at Build Recruitment.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Build Recruitment
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
