At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic operations to enhance contract performance and drive commercial success.
- Company: Join Mears Group, a top provider of housing services in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, and family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to community support and social value.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a senior leadership role with growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in operational leadership and managing complex contracts.
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.
Apply below or to discuss your application further; contact: Joe Monger (joe.monger@mearsgroup.co.uk)
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 Leader | Hybrid Role, £120k + Car Allowance in Kingswood employer: Mears Group
Mears Group is an exceptional employer, offering a hybrid role that combines flexibility with the opportunity to make a significant impact in the housing services sector. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, generous benefits including enhanced family leave, a robust pension scheme, and excellent training opportunities, Mears fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture that prioritises personal and professional growth. Join us in supporting communities while enjoying a rewarding career that values your contributions and promotes social mobility.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Operations Leader | Hybrid Role, £120k + Car Allowance in Kingswood
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. The more people know you’re on the hunt, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their values, recent projects, and challenges they face. This will help you tailor your responses and show them you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the position and appreciation for their time.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Operations Leader | Hybrid Role, £120k + Car Allowance in Kingswood
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Strategic Operations Leader 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 driven margin improvement and operational efficiency in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you receive updates directly from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mears Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Strategic Operations Leader, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of P&L performance and contract profitability. Brush up on relevant financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've improved margins in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires a collaborative, values-led approach. Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully led teams through complex challenges while maintaining strong client relationships. Highlight your ability to bridge operational delivery with commercial insights.
✨Understand the Contractual Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the intricacies of contractual frameworks. Be ready to discuss how you've interpreted and applied these in real-world settings, especially in relation to risk management and compliance. This will show your practical expertise.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in live contract situations. Think of specific examples where you've resolved issues pragmatically or driven service improvements. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
