At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic operations to enhance contract performance and drive commercial success.
- Company: Join Mears Group, a leader in housing and property services.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, and family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to social value and community support.
- 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
About The Role
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.
Key Responsibilities
- 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. 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.
Strategic Operations Director in Gloucester employer: Mears
Mears Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment for the Strategic Operations Director role. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, generous benefits including enhanced family leave, a robust pension scheme, and excellent training opportunities, Mears fosters a culture of growth and inclusivity. The hybrid working model, combined with the chance to make a significant impact on complex contracts, makes this position not only rewarding but also integral to the company's mission of supporting communities and enhancing service delivery.
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 and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. A personal recommendation can go a long way in landing that Strategic Operations Director role.
✨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 the company.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience with complex contracts and operational leadership. Highlight specific examples where you've driven margin improvement or resolved contractual issues.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the Mears team and contributing to their mission.
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 performance, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this senior leadership role. Share specific examples of how you've driven operational efficiency and improved margins in previous positions. Let us know what makes you tick!
Showcase Your Leadership Style:We value a collaborative, values-led leadership style. In your application, give us a glimpse of how you lead teams and manage client relationships. Share stories that demonstrate your calm and solutions-focused approach to challenges.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about Mears Group and what we stand for.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mears
✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out
Make sure you thoroughly understand the complexities of long-term service contracts. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully navigated contractual challenges and improved performance.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires a collaborative, values-led approach. Think about how you can demonstrate your leadership style during the interview. Share stories that highlight your ability to lead teams through complex situations while maintaining strong client relationships.
✨Prepare for Commercial Discussions
Brush up on your knowledge of P&L performance and contract profitability. Be ready to discuss how you've driven margin improvement in previous roles, and come equipped with ideas on how you could apply similar strategies at Mears Group.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your understanding of the role and the company. Inquire about their current challenges with contract management or how they envision the Strategic Operations Director contributing to their growth initiatives. This will demonstrate your genuine interest and strategic thinking.
