Operations Manager Maintenance · Belfast ·

Location: Northern Ireland (Field-Based – Regional Coverage Across NI)

Salary: Competitive, with bonus and EV car

Contract Type: Permanent, 40 hours per week

A role with real ownership, real responsibility and real impact. If you’re someone who thrives on being out in the field, building strong relationships, keeping operations moving, and making sure standards are consistently delivered, this role will feel like home.

We’re looking for an Operations Manager with experience in facilities management, grounds maintenance, or a similar multi-site, service-led environment who also has strong digital and technical capability. This is a hybrid role where you will split your time between structured planning, system-based reporting, and being out on-site with field teams ensuring delivery, compliance, and performance. You’ll be trusted to run your patch, supported when needed, and recognised for the impact you make across a large and growing client portfolio.

What you’ll do:

• You’ll take ownership of a portfolio of sites and lead the day-to-day delivery of services that keep clients happy and operations running smoothly.
• Own the performance of your region, ensuring every site meets the standards and expectations you set.
• Build strong, long-term client relationships, becoming their trusted partner and go-to problem solver.
• Lead frontline teams and subcontractors, setting clear expectations, giving direction and holding people accountable.
• Plan, organise and prioritise work, making sure schedules run smoothly, SLAs are met and safety is never compromised.
• Spot opportunities for improvements and extra works, adding value for clients and driving commercial performance.
• Handle issues early and confidently, using your judgement to keep standards high and customers satisfied.
• Work closely with Regional Operations Directors, HSQE partners and central support teams, while maintaining full ownership of your region’s success.

This is a role where your leadership genuinely matters, the quality of your decisions shows up in real sites, real teams and real customer satisfaction.

What you’ll get:

• Autonomy and trust to run your region without micromanagement.
• Support from experienced Regional Operations Directors, HSQE partners and central admin teams.
• A portfolio where your leadership has visible impact on performance, culture and client relationships.
• Opportunities to grow your region, responsibilities and influence.
• Hands-on development through leadership projects, operational challenges and cross-functional collaboration.
• Industry specific training covering all aspects of Grounds Maintenance and Horticulture.
• Competitive package including a company vehicle, private GP, wellbeing support, bonus scheme, volunteering days and recognition rewards.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience managing multi-site service delivery (FM, cleaning, retail, logistics, hospitality, security, housing, utilities or similar).
• A natural leader who sets standards, supports people and follows through on commitments.
• Someone who enjoys building relationships, gaining trust and becoming the person clients rely on.
• A calm, practical problem solver who acts early, prioritises well and stays steady under pressure.
• Commercial awareness, balancing quality, efficiency and added-value opportunities.
• A strong sense of ownership, pride and responsibility for your region.
• A full UK driving licence.

About Ground Control:

Ground Control is a certified B Corporation, committed to caring for the environment, our people and the communities we serve. Since 1973, we’ve delivered high-quality services through strong relationships, responsible leadership and a genuine commitment to doing the right thing.

If you’re an Operations Manager from a service-led background who thrives on ownership, accountability and making things run well, we’d love to hear from you.

Equal Opportunities Statement:

At Ground Control, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We believe that diversity drives innovation and success, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer.

We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic as defined in the Equality Act 2010. We actively support and promote an inclusive culture, ensuring fair and equitable treatment throughout the recruitment process and across all stages of employment, including training, development, promotion, pay, and termination.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants and employees, and to creating a working environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying, or victimisation. We expect all colleagues to uphold our values of dignity, respect, and inclusion. We take a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discriminatory behaviour and are committed to continuous improvement through training, inclusive policies, and accountability at all levels.