At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop cleaning and hygiene operations across the North of England.
- Company: Join Mitie, the UK's leading facilities management company with a strong commitment to community.
- Benefits: Flexible lifestyle benefits, virtual GP access, financial wellbeing assistance, and high street discounts.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and recognition through Mitie Stars awards.
- Why this job: Shape performance and influence strategy in a high-profile leadership role.
- Qualifications: Senior-level experience in multi-site operations, ideally in cleaning or service-led businesses.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Better places, thriving communities.
We're looking for an experienced Head of Operations to lead a high-value portfolio of cleaning and hygiene contracts across the North of England. This is a senior, business-critical role with full accountability for performance, people, and profitability across a complex, multi-site environment. You'll work at both a strategic and operational level, shaping service delivery while building strong, long-term client partnerships.
The Role
You'll take ownership of a strategically important portfolio, ensuring consistent service excellence while driving commercial performance and growth. Working closely with key clients, you'll lead performance reviews, strengthen relationships, and maintain a clear focus on retention, NPS, and contract outcomes. Alongside this, you'll support mobilisations, tenders, and new business activity, playing a visible role in the continued growth of the business.
What You'll Be Doing
You'll lead and develop a team of Contract Managers across a geographically dispersed region, creating a high-performing, accountable culture.
Your Focus Will Include
- Owning P&L performance, driving margin and cost control
- Ensuring consistent service delivery and contract compliance
- Leading key client relationships and review meetings
- Using data and insight to improve efficiency and performance
- Supporting growth through tenders and mobilization activity
You'll also act as a senior ambassador—representing the business with credibility, handling challenges professionally, and driving continuous improvement across your portfolio.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone already operating at senior level within a large, complex, multi-site environment—ideally cleaning, FM, or a similar service‐led business.
You’ll Bring a Strong Track Record Of
- Delivering commercial results and margin improvement
- Leading dispersed teams at scale
- Managing high-profile client relationships
- Driving change through a data‐led, performance‐focused approach
Just as importantly, you'll be a visible and engaging leader who can influence at all levels and create a culture that people want to be part of.
Why This Role
This is an opportunity to lead a critical, high-profile portfolio within a large and sophisticated organisation—giving you real scope to shape performance, influence strategy, and deliver measurable impact.
Benefits
Our market‐leading offering provides you with benefits that suit your lifestyle. We have a virtual GP on hand for you and members of your household. So you can get expert advice by video or phone without having to leave your home. We offer financial wellbeing assistance through our Salary Finance scheme. For example, you could access 50% of your earned pay before payday for a small fee. Salary Finance also offers competitive loans.
When you join us, we'll give you a link to our flexible lifestyle benefits platform, Choices. You might choose to purchase up to five extra days' holiday each year. You might buy critical illness insurance, seek dental treatment or buy technology products at an affordable cost. There are many choices!
We give you access to high street discounts from thousands of well‐known retailers, gyms and more through our MiDeals platform. And we have a cycle‐to‐work scheme. Life cover of up to four times your salary is available. We also offer enhanced pension contributions, a save‐as‐you‐earn scheme, and a Mitie Matching Share Plan (you could even be awarded free shares in Mitie).
We award our employees with Mitie Stars as recognition for their hard work. There are cash prizes up for grabs each month and at the end of the year there's a chance to scoop a top prize of £10,000!
Our success is a direct result of the experience and quality of our people. Progressing your career is therefore a top priority for us. We offer a diverse variety of training and development avenues via a wide selection of learning resources to suit you.
EEO/Accessibility Statement
We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you have a disability or long‐term condition (for example dyslexia, anxiety, autism, a mobility condition or hearing loss) and need us to make any reasonable adjustments, changes or do anything differently during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing Karen Hayes at Karen.hayes@mitie.com.
Company Overview
Since 1987, Mitie's 80,000 employees have been maintaining companies globally. We are the UK's leading facilities management and professional services company, and our clients range from household names in banking, critical government sites as well as hospitals and schools.
Head of Operations in Manchester employer: Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services
Mitie is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee growth and well-being. As the UK's leading facilities management company, we provide comprehensive benefits including flexible lifestyle options, financial wellness support, and extensive training resources, all while fostering a collaborative environment where your contributions are recognised and rewarded. Join us in the North of England to lead impactful operations in a role that not only shapes service delivery but also enhances thriving communities.
Contact Details:
Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations in Manchester
✨Join Local Community Boards
Get involved in local community boards or forums related to janitorial services. You'll find job postings and connect with businesses in your area, which can really bolster your chances of landing that full-time gig at places like Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services.
✨Network with Industry Pros
Don't underestimate the power of networking! Attend industry-specific events or workshops in your locality. Chatting with people already in the field can lead you to hidden job opportunities that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a simple portfolio that outlines your experience and specific skills in janitorial services. You can showcase before-and-after photos of your work or even testimonials from past employers. This can help you stand out when applying at places like Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services.
✨Apply Directly and Keep it Local
When you see a full-time position that sparks your interest, don’t just apply online. If you can, walk into the company, like Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services, with a smile and express your eagerness to contribute. Nothing beats meeting face-to-face and making that personal connection!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:When showcasing your experience, focus on any previous roles in janitorial or cleaning services. Include specifics like the types of environments you've worked in – be it offices, schools, or hospitals – and mention any cleaning techniques or equipment you're familiar with. This will show Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services that you’ve got the practical skills needed for the job!
Certifications Matter:If you have any certifications related to cleaning, health and safety, or equipment handling, make sure to include them in your CV. These can really set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your commitment to quality and safety in your approach, which is crucial in the janitorial industry.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should explain why you’re interested in working with Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services specifically. Talk about what excites you about the role and how you align with their values. Maybe you love maintaining cleanliness and creating a welcoming environment; let that shine through!
Get Your Availability Clear:Since this is a full-time position, be sure to mention your availability at the beginning of your application. Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services will want to know that you can commit to the hours required, so throwing in your ideal working times can help ease any worry about schedule conflicts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services
✨Know Your Cleaning Techniques
Brush up on various cleaning techniques and equipment you're familiar with. Be ready to highlight specific experiences where you've tackled challenging cleaning situations. This could give the hiring team at Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services a glimpse of your hands-on skills!
✨Safety First!
Make sure you're up-to-date on health and safety regulations relevant to janitorial work. We can expect some questions about how you handle hazardous materials or ensure hygiene—demonstrating knowledge here shows you're serious about your job and safety at Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services.
✨Flexibility is Key
As this is a full-time role, be prepared to discuss your flexibility regarding shifts and potential overtime. Employers love to see candidates who are adaptable to changing schedules, so share experiences that highlight your commitment and reliability.
✨Present Your Experience!
If you have a portfolio or references from previous jobs in cleaning services, bring them along or have them ready to share. This can strengthen your case at Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services, showcasing your work ethic and the quality of your previous roles in janitorial services.
