At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and oversee the delivery of interior fit-out and modular projects internationally.
- Company: A profitable, owner-managed contractor focused on the private education sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, car allowance, and long-term incentives.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to contribute to strategic planning.
- Why this job: Join a growing leadership team and make a significant impact on project success.
- Qualifications: Extensive senior operational experience in refurbishment or interior fit-out contracting.
Our client is a profitable, owner-managed contractor delivering interior fit-out and modular new-build projects, principally for the private education sector. Under a new CEO, the business is building the leadership team and operating disciplines required to scale materially over the next five years, including delivery of large modular new-build schemes alongside a growing fit-out portfolio internationally. They are now seeking an Operations Director to help make growth successful both in the UK and overseas. You will be based in their offices in Hemel Hempstead, with regular UK travel.
The Operations Director owns delivery across the whole portfolio, from pre-construction through to handover and final account. The role carries full accountability for cost, programme, quality, safety and, critically, for the margin the business actually realises versus the margin it tenders. This is not a site-management role scaled up. It is a commercially literate leadership role. The successful candidate will be as comfortable interrogating a cost value reconciliation as they are ensuring efficient site operations, and will be capable of holding both the supply chain and the internal team to account on all Operational related matters.
- Delivery and programme
- Portfolio ownership — accountable for the safe, on-time, on-budget delivery of every live project.
- Programme control — own the master portfolio delivery programme; ensure realistic, resourced and sequenced individual project plans, with early identification of slippage and clear recovery actions.
- Seasonal planning — plan supply chain, resource, labour and materials around the summer delivery peak.
- Pre-construction — input into buildability, method, programme and risk at bid stage; ensure what is sold can be built at the price it was sold for.
- Commercial and financial
- Margin protection — own tendered and realised gross margin. Drive a rigorous monthly CVR process; understand and explain every movement between tendered and forecast margin.
- Cost control — robust control of subcontractor packages, procurement, variations, and preliminaries.
- Change and claims — ensure client and subcontractor variations are captured, priced, agreed and billed.
- Cash — drive timely valuations, applications, and final accounts; manage certification and retention.
- Forecasting — provide reliable, supply chain input and evidenced cost-to-complete forecasts.
- Leadership and people
- Team — lead, develop and where necessary strengthen the operational and site teams.
- Standards — set and enforce the delivery standard.
- Supply chain — build and manage a supply chain capable of supporting significant growth.
- Leadership team — contribute as a peer to the CEO, CFO/finance and commercial leadership on strategy, capital allocation and growth planning.
- Safety, quality and compliance
- Own health, safety and environmental performance across all sites.
- Own quality and snagging performance; drive down defects and rework.
- Ensure full compliance with CDM and all relevant regulation, including the specific requirements of working on and around school sites.
Requirements
- Experience working on projects both in the UK and overseas.
- Substantial senior operational experience within a refurbishment or interior fit-out main contractor.
- Demonstrable track record of delivering concurrently a combined portfolio of individual fit out and new build projects across design, pre-construction, build and maintenance period stages.
- Strong commercial acumen. Fluent in CVRs, contract management, cost-to-complete forecasting, valuations, variations, retentions and final accounts.
- Evidence of protecting or improving margin on live projects, not just delivering them on time.
- Proven leadership of multi-site, multi-project delivery teams.
- Strong H&S record and a genuine safety-first mindset.
Benefits
- Salary bracket – £90,000–£120,000
- Performance bonus
- Car allowance and benefits package, with longer-term incentives available
Director of Operations in Watford employer: UBT
Join a dynamic and supportive team as a Technical Sales Engineer in the thriving MEP sector, where your expertise will be valued and your contributions recognised. With a family-feel culture, excellent benefits including travel expenses, on-site parking, and regular team incentives, this growing business offers a unique opportunity for professional development and meaningful impact. Embrace the chance to work within a well-established company that prioritises employee growth and fosters strong relationships across the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Operations in Watford
✨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 UBT, 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 Director of Operations at UBT.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Operations in Watford
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 UBT
✨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!
