At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a successful SME in drainage and utilities, driving growth and operational excellence.
- Company: Established company with over 50 years of industry success and a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, executive benefits, and the chance to shape the future of the business.
- Other info: Opportunity for autonomy, visibility, and to leave a lasting legacy.
- Why this job: Take the reins of a profitable business and make a meaningful impact on its growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in leadership roles within construction, utilities, or related sectors.
Lead the Business. Shape the Future. Build on 50+ Years of Success.
Are you a commercially minded operator who understands field-based service delivery? Have you built your career in drainage, utilities, groundworks, construction, civil engineering, infrastructure maintenance or a closely related sector? Do you know what it takes to earn the respect of experienced crews, lead from the front and grow a successful SME without losing what makes it special?
We are seeking a hands-on Managing Director to lead a highly respected, long-established SME into its next chapter. This is a rare opportunity to take the reins of a profitable business with strong foundations, loyal customers, an experienced workforce and genuine growth potential. The company has built its reputation over 50+ years by delivering specialist commercial and industrial drainage, maintenance and related services to customers across London, the South East and beyond.
This appointment forms part of a planned leadership succession following the retirement of a long-serving and highly respected Managing Director. You will inherit a committed team, established customer relationships and a business with significant opportunity to evolve, diversify and grow.
This is not a desk-only leadership role. We are looking for someone who can combine strategic thinking with practical operational understanding; someone who is as comfortable discussing growth plans with the Board as they are talking through site challenges, equipment, logistics, health & safety and customer delivery with operational teams.
The Role at a Glance
- Location: Berkshire/Buckinghamshire borders
- Salary: £85,000 – £90,000 + Executive benefits
- Contract: Full-time, permanent
- Reporting to: Chairman & Board
- Direct Reports: Operations Manager, Sales Manager, Executive Assistant
- Company: Established, profitable SME
- Culture: Practical | Loyal | Commercial | Accountable | People First
Your background may include: Drainage, utilities, groundworks, civil engineering, construction services, environmental services, facilities maintenance, infrastructure maintenance, specialist contracting or field-based service operations.
The Opportunity
You will lead the overall direction, performance and long-term success of the business, working closely with the Board to develop and deliver a clear strategy for sustainable growth. The business has strong foundations, but there is also scope to think ambitiously. Future growth opportunities may include acquisitions, service diversification, expansion into adjacent markets, new commercial partnerships and continued development of the company’s existing specialist services.
Success will require a leader who can balance strategy with execution, commercial ambition with operational reality, and change with stability. You will need to build trust quickly with long-serving colleagues, customers and suppliers, while bringing fresh thinking and energy to the next phase of the company’s journey.
Where You’ll Make an Impact
- Strategic Leadership
- Develop and deliver the company’s strategy, vision and growth plans.
- Identify new markets, services, partnerships and investment opportunities.
- Work closely with the Board to shape the future direction of the business.
- Commercial Growth
- Drive revenue growth, profitability and long-term business performance.
- Support business development, key account management and major commercial opportunities.
- Lead significant bids, tenders, negotiations and strategic partnerships.
- Financial Management
- Ensure sound financial controls, commercial decision-making and investment planning.
- Work closely with the Finance Director and external advisers to maintain compliance and stability.
- Operational Leadership
- Lead day-to-day operations across a field-based service business.
- Ensure effective planning across people, equipment, vehicles and resources.
- Drive operational efficiency, continuous improvement and high service standards.
- Resolve operational challenges with a practical, hands-on approach.
- People & Culture
- Lead, develop and inspire an experienced team.
- Build trust and credibility across operational and commercial functions.
- Foster a collaborative, accountable culture while supporting growth and succession planning.
- Governance & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with health & safety, employment and industry regulations.
- Maintain effective risk management, governance and quality standards.
- Provide clear reporting and updates to the Board.
About You
You’ll likely be an experienced Managing Director, General Manager, Operations Director, Commercial Director or Business Unit Leader with a track record of leading operational, field-based or contractor-led businesses.
You’ll bring:
- Senior leadership experience within an SME, contractor, utilities, construction, engineering or related operational environment.
- Strong commercial acumen with accountability for revenue growth, profitability and business performance.
- Experience leading operational teams and earning credibility with frontline, site-based or field-service workforces.
- A practical, hands-on leadership style, ideally with experience close to frontline operations earlier in your career.
- Strong business development, client relationship and commercial negotiation skills, including bids, tenders and contracts.
- A solid understanding of health & safety, compliance, risk management and governance.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management and leadership skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
- Integrity, resilience, sound judgement and the ability to drive change while maintaining team engagement.
Desirable
- Experience within drainage, utilities, groundworks, civil engineering, infrastructure maintenance or related sectors.
- Experience delivering growth through acquisitions, diversification or new service development.
- Knowledge of regulated, compliance-led or environmental sectors.
- NEBOSH, IOSH or equivalent health & safety qualification.
- Experience managing depot-based, vehicle-led or equipment-intensive operations.
Why This Role?
This is a rare opportunity to take over a profitable, long-established business with an excellent reputation and strong foundations. Working closely with the Board, you'll lead an experienced team through a planned succession while shaping the next phase of growth. You'll have genuine autonomy, visibility and influence, with the opportunity to expand services, develop people, strengthen performance and leave a lasting legacy.
If you’re a commercially astute, hands-on leader who thrives in operational environments and wants to make a meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Managing Director - Drainage, Groundworks & Utilities in Maidenhead employer: RecruitmentRevolution.com
Join a well-established SME with over 50 years of success in the drainage and utilities sector, located on the Berkshire/Buckinghamshire borders. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a committed team, drive strategic growth, and foster a people-first culture while enjoying competitive executive benefits. With a focus on operational excellence and employee development, you will have the autonomy to shape the future of the business and make a meaningful impact in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Managing Director - Drainage, Groundworks & Utilities in Maidenhead
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like RecruitmentRevolution.com, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Managing Director - Drainage, Groundworks & Utilities at RecruitmentRevolution.com.
We think you need these skills to ace Managing Director - Drainage, Groundworks & Utilities in Maidenhead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at RecruitmentRevolution.com
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
