At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a national workforce in highways and infrastructure operations.
- Company: Dynamic infrastructure business focused on operational excellence and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership development, and the chance to shape the future of infrastructure.
- Other info: Join a fast-paced environment with opportunities for growth and transformation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving performance and leading high-performing teams.
- Qualifications: Senior operational leadership experience in highways or infrastructure sectors required.
The predicted salary is between 51000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you a transformational operations leader with a proven track record in highways and infrastructure construction? We are seeking an exceptional Operations Director to lead and inspire a national workforce across multiple depots and operational locations. This is a high-profile leadership opportunity for an individual who thrives in fast-paced environments, drives operational excellence, and has the vision to shape the future of a growing infrastructure business.
The successful candidate will bring deep sector expertise, strong commercial acumen, and a passion for building high-performing teams that deliver outstanding results safely, efficiently, and sustainably.
The Role
Reporting to the Managing Director, and key member of the senior leadership team, the Operations Director will have full responsibility for the operational performance of a national portfolio, overseeing multiple depots, contracts, and regional management teams. You will provide strategic direction while remaining close to the operational detail, ensuring the business consistently delivers excellence in safety, quality, customer service, profitability, and workforce engagement.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, develop, and inspire a national operational workforce across multiple sites and depots.
- Drive a culture of high performance, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure consistent delivery of contracts in line with client expectations and business objectives.
- Champion operational excellence, productivity, and best practice across all regions.
- Develop and execute strategic plans that support growth, efficiency, and long-term business success.
- Build strong relationships with clients, local authorities, National Highways, supply chain partners, and key stakeholders.
- Lead operational change programmes and embed innovative solutions to improve performance and service delivery.
- Maintain the highest standards of health, safety, environmental compliance, and operational governance.
- Manage and develop senior leadership teams, creating a culture that attracts, retains, and develops talent.
- Deliver sustainable financial performance through effective resource planning, cost management, and operational control.
About You
We are looking for a dynamic, commercially focused leader who combines strategic vision with exceptional people leadership skills.
Essential Experience
- Senior operational leadership experience within the highways, roads infrastructure, civil engineering, or infrastructure contracting sector.
- Proven success managing multi-site operations and geographically dispersed teams.
- Experience leading national or regional operational functions with significant workforce responsibility.
- Strong understanding of highways maintenance, road infrastructure delivery, traffic management, or related contracting environments.
- Demonstrable track record of improving operational performance, customer outcomes, and profitability.
- Experience building and leading high-performing leadership teams.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at executive and client level.
Personal Attributes
- Inspirational and engaging leader.
- Innovative thinker with a passion for continuous improvement.
- Results-driven with a relentless focus on performance and delivery.
- Strategic mindset combined with a practical, hands-on approach.
- Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable leading through change.
- Strong communicator capable of motivating teams and building stakeholder confidence.
This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role within a leading infrastructure business, shaping operational strategy and driving performance across a national footprint. You will have the platform to influence change, develop teams, and leave a lasting impact on the future success of the organisation.
If you are an ambitious Operations Director or Senior Operational Leader ready to lead at scale and drive transformational performance across a national highways and infrastructure operation, we would love to hear from you. Apply today or contact us in confidence to discuss this exciting leadership opportunity.
Operations Director in Birmingham employer: Spencer - Richardson
Spencer - Richardson is an excellent employer that values its employees by fostering a supportive and family-oriented work culture in Northampton. With comprehensive training and growth opportunities, you will not only enhance your sales skills but also build meaningful relationships with customers in a vibrant community. Join us to be part of a team that celebrates success and encourages personal development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director in Birmingham
✨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 Spencer - Richardson, 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 Operations Director at Spencer - Richardson.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director in Birmingham
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 Spencer - Richardson
✨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!
