At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance operational infrastructure for a global engineering organisation.
- Company: CIBSE, a prestigious institution with a commitment to sustainability and excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a fast-paced role that drives organisational success.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership experience in operations, governance, or corporate services.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on innovation and international collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 95000 - 95000 £ per year.
CIBSE is an organisation with a proud heritage, a global reputation for technical excellence and a deep sense of responsibility to the built environment. Supporting a community of 24,000 members across more than 100 countries, we advance and promote the art, science and practice of building services engineering, driving progress in sustainability, health, wellbeing and net zero.
As our influence continues to grow and our international footprint expands at pace, we are seeking an Operations Director to lead, strengthen and continuously improve CIBSE's operational infrastructure. This is a key senior leadership role, overseeing critical central functions including Governance and Secretariat, IT and CRM, People & Culture, Process Management and internal service delivery. The postholder will provide strategic and operational leadership across these areas, advancing our already robust and scalable infrastructure and ensuring our policies, processes and systems remain efficient, customer focused and fit for purpose.
You will help embed a proactive approach to international operations, ensuring our growing global workforce and offices receive consistent, high quality support. Acting as a trusted adviser to the Chief Executive, senior leadership team and Trustees, you will ensure operational excellence underpins and enables the organisation's strategy. This is a highly varied, fast paced and hands on role suited to an individual with strong operational breadth, sound judgement and outstanding organisational capability.
We are seeking someone who brings a confident, structured and reassuring approach; excellent interpersonal skills; and the ability to manage high performing teams and engage effectively across a member led organisation. You will thrive on variety, moving seamlessly between strategic oversight and hands on problem solving, and bring an outward looking, modernising mindset to simplify, streamline and improve systems and processes.
About You
We are looking for a sophisticated operator who:
- Demonstrates strong leadership experience in operational, governance or corporate services roles, ideally within a charity, professional body or complex membership organisation.
- Has experience managing cross functional teams across governance, HR, IT, CRM and/or process management.
- Brings resilience, diplomacy and sound judgement within governance rich contexts involving Trustees, Boards and Committees.
- Has international operational experience or confidence navigating international infrastructures.
- Possesses excellent communication skills, strong planning, budgeting and resource management capability, and a proactive, hands on approach.
How to Apply
Closing date for applications: 23:59 on Tuesday 7th April 2026. Apply online at If unable to apply online, please email: All candidates are requested to complete an online Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form at the end of the application process. For details on how we process personal data, please review our privacy policy: Queries: Thomas Ewen, Principal Consultant.
Operations Director in City of London employer: CIBSE – The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
Contact Detail:
CIBSE – The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might know someone at CIBSE. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching CIBSE's recent projects and initiatives. Show us you’re genuinely interested in their mission and how you can contribute to their operational excellence.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and improved processes. We want to hear about your hands-on problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show us you're keen on the role. Plus, it keeps you on our radar!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Operations Director role. Highlight your leadership experience in operational settings, especially within membership organisations or charities, to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about the role and how your background in governance, HR, and IT makes you the perfect candidate. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; we want to see your impact! Include specific examples of how you’ve improved processes or led teams to success. Numbers and outcomes can really make your application stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at CIBSE – The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand CIBSE's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their operational structure and recent initiatives in sustainability and member engagement. This will help you demonstrate your alignment with their goals during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led cross-functional teams in previous roles. Highlight your experience in governance, HR, IT, and process management, as these are key areas for the Operations Director position. Be ready to discuss how you can bring a modernising mindset to CIBSE.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about their current challenges in operational infrastructure or how they envision the future of their international operations. This not only shows your engagement but also helps you assess if the role is right for you.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be ready to discuss real-life scenarios where you've had to solve complex problems. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will illustrate your hands-on approach and ability to navigate challenges effectively, which is crucial for the Operations Director role.