At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations for diverse contracts, ensuring compliance and client satisfaction across multiple sectors.
- Company: Join Fixatex, a family-run electrical services provider with over 20 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private healthcare, generous leave, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team that values integrity and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven contract management experience and strong commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 15 - 15 £ per hour.
Overview
The Head of Operations holds end-to-end operational, commercial, technical and compliance accountability for all Fixatex's contracts outside one significantly sized client approximately £5m - £10m of annual revenue spread across multiple clients, work streams and project types. The portfolio is anchored by two priority G15 housing association clients L&Q (London & Quadrant) and NHG (Notting Hill Genesis) and is complemented by a long tail of ad-hoc and standing accounts in social housing, property management and building-contractor markets. Scope spans all four Fixatex disciplines: fire safety equipment, security, electrical maintenance, compliance and small project / installation works.
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer as the direct peer to the Head of Operations Peabody Housing Trust, the post-holder leads a multi-disciplinary department of 5 Contract Managers (typically aligned by work stream, with account responsibility for the priority clients) and their respective Supervisors, Administrators and Engineers and is accountable for KPI performance, statutory compliance, P&L delivery and client retention across the portfolio.
Responsibilities
- Own end-to-end operational, commercial and compliance delivery of Fixatex's Rest of Business portfolio (c. £5m - £10m p.a.) across all four work streams: fire safety equipment, security, electrical compliance and small project / installation works.
- Act as Fixatex's senior point of contact for the two key clients, L&Q (London & Quadrant) and NHG (Notting Hill Genesis), with personal accountability for the client relationship, account growth, satisfaction and contract retention.
- Lead, coach and develop a department of 5 Contract Managers (each predominantly aligned to a work stream, with account responsibility for the priority clients) and their respective Supervisors, Administrators and Engineers.
- Manage the long tail of smaller ad-hoc and standing accounts (property managers, building contractors and smaller housing providers), ensuring responsiveness, profitability and a consistent quality of service across the portfolio.
- Direct line and people management of Contract Managers, Qualified Supervisors, Administrators, Site Supervisors, Engineers and Improvers.
- Follow the People Manager guide to build a high-performance team, create an accountable and values driven culture, and nurture the growth and development of team members.
- Own the Rest of Business P&L with support from the Finance Function, including annual budget setting, monthly forecasting, work-in-progress, WIP-to-cash conversion, GP% by client and by work stream, sub-contractor spend and overhead control.
- Direct the planning and scheduling of PPM programmes, reactive works and project / installation programmes across all four disciplines, balancing capacity, skills mix and client priorities.
- Ensure 100% statutory compliance across the portfolio against the applicable standards and regulations, including company policies and procedures.
- Discharge supplier-side Principal Contractor duties under CDM 2015 for all Fixatex-led and sub-contracted activity in the portfolio, including Project / Construction Phase Plans for installation works, RAMS sign-off and RIDDOR reporting within one Working Day.
- Govern any sub-contractors used to flex capacity pre-qualification, back-to-back contracting that flows down client obligations, monthly performance reviews and audit of sub-contracted activity, where authorised by company Directors.
- Drive project / installation work governance tender review, scope and price assurance, programme management, change-control, snagging and final-account close-out.
- Lead the new-business and renewal cycle across the portfolio, working with Business Development on bid input, pricing and mobilisation of new contracts.
- Provide monthly portfolio reporting to the COO, including KPI / SLA performance by client, P&L vs budget, pipeline, risks and remedial actions.
- Work as the direct peer to the Head of Operations Peabody Housing Trust, sharing best practice, resource and out-of-hours cover where commercially appropriate, and ensuring a consistent Fixatex operating model across the whole business.
Portfolio KPI / SLA compliance meet or exceed each client's contractual response, completion and certificate-turnaround targets every month; no rolling-quarter breach of any priority-client SLA. Client retention & satisfaction: 100% retention of the L&Q and NHG accounts and meet or exceed agreed client-satisfaction targets across the priority and long-tail portfolio. Rest of Business P&L deliver revenue and gross margin within 2% of agreed annual budget; achieve target GP% by client and by work stream; protect WIP-to-cash conversion within agreed days. Account growth: grow priority-client revenue (L&Q + NHG) year-on-year in line with the business plan; deliver a defined number of new wins / extensions from the long-tail portfolio each year. Statutory & H&S compliance: zero RIDDOR-reportable incidents across the portfolio, 100% pass rate on internal and client compliance audits, and 100% of statutory certificates issued in PDF within agreed contractual SLAs. Legislative & regulatory compliance: ensure full compliance with all applicable statutory obligations, including Electrical Safety Standards Regulations, Building Safety requirements, Awaab's Law obligations and client-mandated compliance procedures. Project / installation delivery: 95%+ of project works completed on time, on budget and with zero defects at handover. Team performance & retention: voluntary attrition in the Rest of Business team below 12% per annum; 100% of operatives holding valid DBS, scope-appropriate accreditations and current competency records and efficient 1:1s, Performance Review skills.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Private healthcare contribution and life assurance
- Discretionary bonus
- Car allowance
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Supportive sick pay and wellbeing policies
- Ongoing training and development in our purpose-built training centre
- A genuine team environment where everyone's input matters
- A supportive workplace that recognises the need for flexibility
- Regular team events and celebrations
- £1000 employee referral scheme
Our Values
- Care like it's family
- Ownership at every level
- One team with integrity
- Keep raising the bar
We are committed to ensuring our recruitment practices promote equal opportunities, embrace diversity, and prevent discrimination. Candidates are assessed fairly and consistently against the skills, experience, and competencies required for each role, ensuring that all appointments are made on merit.
Required
- Proven, multi-disciplinary contract management experience covering fire safety, security and electrical compliance, ideally with project / installation work alongside maintenance and PPM.
- Demonstrable experience managing a multi-client portfolio preferably including G15 / housing association clients, commercial property / managing-agent clients and contractor / B2B clients with personal accountability for account retention and growth.
- Strong commercial acumen with a track record of P&L ownership on portfolios of c. £5m+ annual turnover, including monthly forecasting, GP% management, WIP and overhead control.
- Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams of 20+ (Contract Managers, Supervisors, Administrators, Engineers), with evidence of people development, performance management and retention.
Preferred
- Working knowledge of SFG20, BS 7671, BS 5839, BS 5266, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, CDM 2015 and the Building Safety Act 2022 regime for higher-risk residential buildings.
- SMSTS and IOSH Managing Safely (or NEBOSH General / Construction Certificate); working knowledge of CDM 2015 Principal Contractor duties.
- Established personal network across London and Southeast housing associations.
- Experience mobilising new contracts and managing sub-contractors under back-to-back agreements.
Fixatex Ltd is a family-run electrical services provider built on trust, teamwork, and technical excellence. Established in 2000, we have proudly supported clients across London and the Southeast for over two decades. Operating from our head office, warehouse, and purpose-built training centre in Hertford, we deliver high-quality electrical services while continuously developing and supporting our people.
Head of Operations - Frameworks & Partnerships in Hertford employer: Fixatex Ltd
Fixatex Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment where every team member's input is valued. With a strong focus on employee development through ongoing training in our purpose-built centre, competitive benefits including private healthcare and a generous leave policy, and a commitment to maintaining a family-like culture, we ensure that our staff thrive both personally and professionally. Located in Hertford, our team enjoys the advantages of working in a vibrant area while contributing to meaningful projects in the social housing sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations - Frameworks & Partnerships in Hertford
✨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 Fixatex Ltd, 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 Head of Operations - Frameworks & Partnerships at Fixatex Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations - Frameworks & Partnerships in Hertford
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 Fixatex Ltd
✨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!
