Business Operations Director in Essex

Lead Strategy. Unite Teams. Power the Future of FCE Bank. FCE Bank, Ford’s regulated European bank and the financial engine behind Ford vehicles, mobility, and customer solutions, is creating a new senior role to drive strategy execution and operational excellence across all markets. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a bank that sits at the heart of Ford’s customer ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• You will lead the implementation of FCE Bank’s business and operational strategy across Europe, partnering with in‑market General Managers to deliver aligned, customer‑centric outcomes.
• You’ll provide strategic oversight for the UK, France, Italy & Spain, accelerate critical initiatives, remove barriers, and ensure that key programmes are executed with discipline, clarity, and collaboration.
• You’ll act as a trusted advisor to the CEO, bringing insight, challenge, and thought leadership that strengthens operational performance and drives cultural transformation.
• As a senior leader in a regulated bank, you will help ensure we manage risk, maintain strong controls, and build a consistent, modern operating model across all markets.

Qualifications

• We’re looking for a strategic leader who can influence at the highest levels and bring people together across diverse countries and cultures to successfully implement strategic priorities.
• You’ll be skilled at operational problem solving, risk awareness, and data‑driven decision making; confident overseeing broad functions; and energised by building capability and modernising ways of working.
• Above all, you’ll bring curiosity, commercial acumen, and a passion for delivering great customer outcomes – the qualities that drive a high‑performing bank forward.

Additional information

• This position is based in Dunton (Basildon) and it is expected the successful candidate will be able to attend the Dunton Campus for typically 4 days a week and remain flexible on the days they are required to attend the office according to business requirements.
• Education is important to us; ideally, you’ll be degree‑educated but if that’s not the case and you have extensive experience/skills you feel are relevant and beneficial to the role, we are open to discussing your suitability.
• The Company is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity for all and is opposed to any form of less favourable treatment or harassment on the grounds of race, religion or belief, sex, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.
• As part of our pre‑employment checks process, successful candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check. This will be conducted in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and applied only to unspent convictions.
• Note: Banking and Compliance training, including fair treatment of customers, is mandatory for all FCE employees. Necessary training will be given to any successful candidates that require it.