Commercial Office Operations Manager in Potters Bar

Location: Potters Bar, Head Office

Salary: Competitive salary, dependent on experience, together with company benefits

Job type: Permanent, Full Time

Working Hours: 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour for lunch

Our client is a leading specialist contractor delivering fencing, security and infrastructure projects throughout the UK. They pride themselves on delivering high-quality projects safely, professionally and collaboratively, supporting both public and private sector clients.

As the business continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Office & Commercial Manager to become a key member of our management team.

Role Purpose:

This is a pivotal management position responsible for ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of the Head Office while acting as the link between the Directors and office-based teams. The successful candidate will provide leadership, structure and accountability across the business, ensuring departments communicate effectively, projects and business objectives remain on track, and staff are supported to perform at their best. Its purpose is to provide a clear reporting and management structure that enables the Directors to focus on the wider strategic management of the Group companies. A background in construction, contracting or another project-based business is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities:

• Office Management: Manage the day-to-day operation of the Head Office. Ensure office teams work efficiently and collaboratively. Develop and improve office systems and procedures. Monitor workloads and resource requirements. Promote a positive, professional and accountable working culture.
• Management and Leadership: Provide direct management and support to office-based teams. Conduct regular one-to-one meetings and performance reviews. Assist with staff development, coaching and mentoring. Help resolve operational issues before escalation to the Directors. Encourage clear communication and effective collaboration between departments.
• Commercial and Operational Support: Monitor operational performance across departments. Coordinate reporting from Commercial, Estimating, Project Management, Accounts, SHEQ and Support teams. Produce clear and timely management reports for the Directors. Track business KPIs and departmental performance. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, service and profitability.
• Project and Business Coordination: Support the planning and coordination of major projects and business priorities. Ensure information flows effectively between departments. Monitor progress against agreed business objectives and actions. Assist the Directors with strategic initiatives and continuous improvement projects.
• Company Administration and Governance: Coordinate management meetings and follow up agreed actions. Prepare agendas and record decisions where required. Maintain company policies, procedures and key records. Support company governance and statutory administration as appropriate to the role. Support compliance activities alongside the SHEQ, Accounts and relevant management teams.

Key Relationships: The role will work closely with the Managing Director, Contracts Director, Commercial Team, Estimating Team, Project Management Team, Accounts Department, SHEQ Department, Project Support, Reception and Administration, and Buying and Logistics teams.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Previous experience in an Office Manager, Operations Manager, Business Manager, Commercial Manager or similar management role.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of how operational decisions affect business performance.
• Excellent organisational, planning and prioritisation skills.
• Experience managing people, setting expectations and developing teams.
• Confident communication skills and the ability to influence at all levels.
• Strong reporting, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.

Desirable:

• Experience in construction, civil engineering, infrastructure, utilities or a related contracting environment.
• Experience working within a project-based business.
• An understanding of contracts, commercial processes, project delivery or quantity surveying principles.
• Experience implementing business processes and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience supporting company governance or senior management reporting.

Personal Attributes:

• Commercially minded and business focused.
• Professional, approachable and able to build trust across the organisation.
• Calm under pressure and comfortable managing competing priorities.
• Highly organised, dependable and discreet.
• A natural leader who supports people while maintaining accountability.
• Solutions focused and willing to take ownership.
• Able to make decisions confidently and challenge constructively when appropriate.

Benefits:

• Company Pension Scheme
• Company Phone
• Company Laptop
• Simplyhealth Scheme
• Company Car

Please click APPLY to submit your CV and Cover Letter for this role.