At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and improve operational infrastructure for a global organisation focused on sustainability.
- Company: CIBSE, a respected leader in building services engineering with a commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced role that drives progress in the built environment.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership experience in operations, governance, or corporate services, ideally in a membership organisation.
- Other info: Join a diverse team and help shape the future of sustainable building practices.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ 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
- 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 /95722 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.
Queries: Thomas Ewen, Principal Consultant – This role is being managed by Berwick Partners. Applications should be submitted via the link above.
Operations Director in London employer: CIBSE
Contact Detail:
CIBSE Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with CIBSE's community. Building relationships can open doors that a CV alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching CIBSE’s values and recent projects. Show us how your experience aligns with our mission and how you can contribute to our operational excellence.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you've managed teams and improved processes in previous roles. Use specific examples to demonstrate your impact.
✨Tip Number 4
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 from us!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director in 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; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you’ve improved processes or led teams to success. We love seeing quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important details. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy!
How to prepare for a job interview at CIBSE
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into CIBSE's mission and values. Understand their commitment to sustainability and how they support their members globally. This knowledge will help you align your experience with their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨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 crucial for the Operations Director position. Be ready to discuss how you’ve navigated complex organisational structures and made impactful decisions.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Think of scenarios where you've had to tackle operational challenges head-on. Share how you approached these problems, the strategies you implemented, and the outcomes. This will illustrate your hands-on approach and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about CIBSE’s future plans and how the Operations Director can contribute. This not only shows your interest but also gives you insight into the organisation's culture and expectations.