Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a high-performing team to drive growth and service excellence.
- Company: Join ESS, a leader in Defence, Marine & Aerospace with a purpose-driven culture.
- Benefits: Opportunity to influence key sectors and develop your leadership skills.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while shaping the future of critical environments.
- Qualifications: Proven success in senior operations or commercial leadership roles.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on innovation and exceptional service.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
At ESS - Defence, Marine & Aerospace, we don’t just deliver services. We enable missions, support people, and create exceptional environments for those who serve, protect, and innovate. Now, we’re searching for a Business Director, a bold and inspiring leader who can elevate our operational landscape across the South West, championing both commercial strength and service excellence. This is more than a role—it’s an opportunity to influence an organisation that sits at the heart of some of the UK’s most important sectors.
What this role stands for
- Impact that matters: You’ll shape the strategic direction of a diverse, high-performing business that supports critical environments—places where world‑class service truly makes a difference.
- Leadership with humanity: You’ll guide and develop an exceptional management community, building a culture where people feel valued, empowered, and proud of the work they do.
- Innovation in action: You’ll use insight, data and creativity to enhance operational performance, strengthen partnerships, and unlock new opportunities for growth and excellence.
- Partnership at its core: You’ll be the face of ESS for key clients and stakeholders—building trust, listening closely, and ensuring our solutions always meet the needs of the people we serve.
What you’ll lead
- Set a bold vision for growth, retention and outstanding service across your region.
- Bring strategic focus to operational delivery—driving commercial performance and elevating the customer experience.
- Mentor, coach and inspire leaders at every level, cultivating a resilient and inclusive talent pipeline.
- Oversee resources, budgets and performance with clarity, commerciality and foresight.
- Build strong relationships with clients, partners and industry bodies—representing ESS with confidence, professionalism and integrity.
- Stay close to the voices of customers and teams, ensuring our services continually evolve and excel.
Who you are
You are a leader who combines strategic insight with operational sharpness. Someone who thrives in dynamic, people‑driven environments and embraces the challenge of steering a complex regional business with confidence. You’ll bring:
- A strong record of success in senior operations or commercial leadership.
- Deep experience managing people, performance and complex portfolios.
- Strong financial, commercial, and analytical capability.
- The confidence to influence, negotiate and inspire at every level.
- A collaborative mindset and a passion for delivering exceptional service.
- Experience from sectors such as facilities services, hospitality, defence, marine, aerospace or other multifaceted operational environments (advantageous, but not essential).
- A commitment to excellence and the drive to continually raise the bar.
Why ESS? Because here, leadership has purpose. You’ll join a business where innovation, service, and people sit at the centre of everything we do, and where your influence will be felt across an organisation that plays a vital role in supporting highly specialised communities every single day. If you’re ready to lead with impact, shape growth, and take your career to the next stage, we’d love to hear from you.
Business Director in Bristol employer: Compass Group UK
Contact Detail:
Compass Group UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Director in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their mission and values, especially how they relate to the role of Business Director. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in making an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for the role and how you can drive growth and service excellence. A confident, clear presentation of your ideas can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand. Let’s make it happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Director in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Business Director role. Highlight your leadership experience and how it relates to the operational excellence we value at ESS.
Showcase Your Impact: When detailing your past roles, focus on the impact you've made. Use quantifiable achievements to demonstrate how you've driven growth and improved service delivery in previous positions—this is what we want to see!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who embodies our values of leadership with humanity and innovation in action, so don’t be afraid to share your unique approach to leadership and collaboration.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at ESS. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into ESS's mission and values. Understand their role in the Defence, Marine & Aerospace sectors and how they support critical environments. This knowledge will help you align your answers with their goals and demonstrate your genuine interest.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Business Director, your leadership approach is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your experience in mentoring and inspiring teams. Share specific examples of how you've built inclusive cultures and driven performance, as this will resonate well with their focus on leadership with humanity.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Expect questions about setting bold visions and driving commercial performance. Think about past experiences where you've successfully shaped strategic directions or enhanced operational performance. Use data and insights to back up your claims, showcasing your analytical capabilities.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Remember, you're not just being assessed on your skills but also on your ability to build relationships. Approach the interview as a conversation. Listen actively, ask insightful questions about their challenges, and express your enthusiasm for collaborating with clients and stakeholders.
