At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic operations to enhance contract performance and support complex service delivery.
- Company: Join Mears Group, a leading provider of housing services with a strong community focus.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, family-friendly policies, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse and inclusive team committed to social mobility and community support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a senior leadership role while supporting communities and driving operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in contract-led environments and a track record of improving performance.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 120000 € per year.
Annual salary: up to £120,000.00
Location: Hybrid Role, with travel as required
Contract: Permanent, full time, Monday - Friday
Salary: £120,000 per annum, plus £7,800 car allowance, and company benefits
National Role | Senior Leadership Opportunity
Mears Group is seeking a Strategic Operations Director to join a newly established central specialist team. This team plays a pivotal role in enhancing contract performance, strengthening commercial outcomes and supporting the successful resolution of complex contractual matters across the organisation.
This is a senior, high‑influence role designed for an experienced operational leader who understands how complex, long‑term service contracts work in practice. You will bring credibility with frontline teams and clients alike, using commercial and contractual insight to strengthen performance.
As one of the UK’s leading providers of housing services, Mears delivers repairs, maintenance and compliance services to local authorities and housing associations nationwide. Everything we do is underpinned by a strong sense of purpose: supporting communities, working collaboratively with partners and delivering services we can be proud of.
About the Role
You will work alongside regional and contract leadership teams, engaging in live and complex contracts to support service performance and commercial sustainability. Your focus will be on enabling improvement, resolving issues pragmatically and ensuring operational delivery is aligned with contractual and financial intent.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing hands‑on support within complex or evolving contracts to identify commercial, contractual and operational improvement opportunities
- Translating financial and contractual insight into clear, practical action plans that leaders and teams can execute on site
- Driving margin improvement through operational efficiency, cost control and service optimisation, without compromising service quality or client relationships
- Supporting pricing reviews, contract variations, procurement, mobilisation, re‑tendering and commercial negotiations, including dispute resolution where necessary
- Interpreting contractual frameworks and advising on risk, compliance and obligations in a proportionate, operationally grounded way
- Acting as a senior escalation point for commercial, contractual and client‑related matters, providing calm, balanced and solutions‑focused leadership
- Contributing to bids, tenders and growth initiatives, ensuring robust and deliverable commercial and contractual positioning
- Strengthening governance, reporting, risk management and performance oversight, supporting consistency and good practice across the organisation
About You
This role is specifically suited to a senior operational leader who has led complex services and understands the commercial and contractual realities that sit behind them.
You will bring:
- Senior leadership experience within housing, property services, facilities management, infrastructure, logistics or similarly contract‑led environments
- Proven experience owning or significantly influencing P&L performance and contract profitability
- A strong track record of improving performance and margin within complex, regulated or multi‑stakeholder service environments
- The ability to bridge operational delivery, commercial finance and contractual requirements, bringing clarity and direction to complex issues
- Experience managing long‑term contracts and senior client relationships
- Exposure to procurement, mobilisation, service improvement or re‑tendering activity
- Practical contractual expertise, with the confidence to interpret and apply contractual frameworks in real‑world operational settings
- A collaborative, values‑led leadership style, aligned with Mears’ commitment to people, communities and long‑term partnerships
Benefits
- Family friendly policy to include enhanced maternity/paternity leave and much more.
- Generous Pension Scheme
- Sick Pay
- Refer a friend scheme (total award £1000)
- Share saver scheme
- Eye test vouchers
- Employee Assistance Programme (Access to Free counselling service)
- Wellbeing service (Access to trained mental health & wellbeing advisors)
- Mears Annual Family Fun Day for you and your family to places like Blair Drummond Safari Park, M&Ds Theme park, fully paid for including lunch
- Mears Rewards - A performance recognition platform whereby you can be rewarded in high street vouchers
- Volunteering Leave - Mears supports employees to undertake volunteering in the community, in support of our social value commitment
- Excellent training and development opportunities
- 25 days holiday entitlement along with bank holidays
All our roles require candidates to have the entitlement to work within the UK, Mears does not currently offer visa sponsorship. To drive a Mears vehicle, you must be aged over 21 have held your licence over 3 months and have less than 9 points. Candidates should be aware that all our roles are subject to relevant Background, Identity & Security checks before commencement of employment.
If you need any help with your application process, we are here to support you. We will be accessible every step of the way.
At Mears Group, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, we are a Disability Confident employer, valuing individuality and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
We proudly support the Armed Forces Covenant and are honoured to have achieved the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) to coincide with this, we hold an Endorser Award for the Career Transition Partnership, recognising our commitment to veterans transitioning into civilian careers.
In our continued effort to promote social mobility, we invite applicants to voluntarily share their background information during the application stages to help us better understand the diverse experiences of our candidates. This is to ensure we are committed to improving social mobility. We use the Social Mobility Index to assess and enhance opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds. These questions are optional and will not impact your ability to apply.
Strategic Operations Director in Gloucester employer: Mears Group
Mears Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a strong commitment to community support and a diverse, inclusive culture, employees benefit from generous perks such as enhanced family leave, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for volunteering. The hybrid role of Strategic Operations Director not only provides a competitive salary but also the chance to make a meaningful impact in the housing services sector while collaborating with passionate teams across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Operations Director in Gloucester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Strategic Operations Director role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Mears Group thoroughly. Understand their values, recent projects, and challenges they face. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience with complex contracts and operational leadership clearly and confidently. Use specific examples that highlight your achievements and how they align with what Mears is looking for.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, if you need any help during the process, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Operations Director in Gloucester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Strategic Operations Director role. Highlight your experience in managing complex contracts and improving operational performance, as these are key aspects of the job.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your leadership skills and understanding of commercial and contractual realities.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics and specific outcomes to illustrate how you've positively impacted P&L performance and contract profitability in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mears Group
✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out
As a Strategic Operations Director, you'll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of complex contracts. Before the interview, review relevant contractual frameworks and be prepared to discuss how you've navigated similar situations in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires a collaborative, values-led approach. Think about examples from your experience where you've successfully led teams through challenges, improved performance, or resolved conflicts. Be ready to share these stories to illustrate your leadership style.
✨Prepare for Commercial Discussions
Since this position involves driving margin improvement and managing P&L performance, brush up on your financial acumen. Be prepared to discuss how you've translated financial insights into actionable plans that have positively impacted service delivery.
✨Engage with Real-World Scenarios
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've identified operational improvements or resolved complex issues in contract management. This will show your practical expertise and ability to think on your feet.
