At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the passive fire protection division and drive operational growth across the country.
- Company: Join Ventro Group, a leading fire safety and building compliance business backed by KLAR Partners.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car, healthcare scheme, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Diverse workplace that values equality and offers excellent career progression.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fire safety while working in a high-growth, dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in construction or fire safety, with strong leadership and financial management skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 β¬ per year.
Ventro Group is a leading fire safety and building compliance business, backed by Private Equity investment from KLAR Partners, operating nationally through our family of brands including Ventro, Firntec, and HJS. As we continue to scale our passive fire protection division, we are looking for an experienced Operations Director to take ownership of divisional delivery performance and drive the next phase of operational growth.
The Opportunity
This is a senior leadership appointment with genuine scope to shape how we deliver passive fire protection across the country. Reporting to the Divisional Director, you will be the operational heartbeat of the passive fire division - accountable for project delivery, financial performance, quality standards, and the people who make it all happen.
You won't be inheriting a broken operation. You'll be joining a business that has built strong foundations and now needs a senior operator to take it further: tightening margins, raising productivity, strengthening accountability, and ensuring our clients receive an industry-leading service every time.
What You'll Be Responsible For:
- Divisional P&L ownership β delivering accurate financial forecasts, managing cost-to-complete, and driving gross profit improvement across the project portfolio
- Site productivity β optimising labour deployment, programme sequencing, and materials logistics to maximise output nationally
- Quality and compliance β ensuring all passive fire installations meet FIRAS, BM TRADA, and Building Safety Act standards, with robust QA procedures from site to handover
- Margin control β managing labour costs, subcontractor spend, procurement, and variation recovery to protect and improve project profitability
- Team leadership β leading and developing a team of Associate Directors, Project Managers, and Site Managers, embedding a culture of personal accountability and high performance
- Client relationships β representing the division at senior level, managing escalations, and building long-term partnerships that generate repeat business and new opportunities
- Board reporting β providing clear, data-driven operational updates to the leadership team covering delivery output, risk, and resource planning
What We're Looking For
- A minimum of 10 years in construction or fire safety delivery, with at least 5 years at senior operational or director level
- A proven track record of managing multi-million-pound project portfolios across multiple sites and regions
- Demonstrable experience of financial forecasting, margin control, and P&L accountability
- Experience leading and developing teams of Project Managers, Site Managers, or Contracts Managers
- Strong knowledge of passive fire protection systems, products, and installation standards (or closely transferable construction delivery experience)
- Familiarity with the Building Safety Act 2022, CDM 2015, and relevant health and safety legislation
- A client-first mindset with outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills
- Experience operating within a PE-backed or high-growth business environment would be particularly valuable
What We Offer
- A senior leadership role within a PE-backed, high-growth group with a clear trajectory
- Company car or car allowance
- Healthcare scheme
- Ability to purchase additional annual leave
- Company reward scheme
- Regular company events
- The opportunity to shape the future of a nationally operating passive fire division
How to Apply
If this sounds like the right opportunity, we'd welcome a conversation. Apply directly via LinkedIn or reach out to our Talent Acquisition team for a confidential discussion.
Ventro Group values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.
Ventro prefer to hire directly and we will be in touch with our PSL Agencies if this role is eligible. We do not accept speculative CVs and no fee will be applicable if sent.
Operations Director employer: Ventro - Fire Compliance
Ventro Group is an exceptional employer, offering a senior leadership role that empowers you to shape the future of our passive fire protection division. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide comprehensive benefits including a company car or allowance, healthcare schemes, and opportunities for additional annual leave, all within a supportive work culture that values diversity and personal accountability. Join us in a dynamic environment where your expertise will drive operational excellence and client satisfaction across the nation.
StudySmarter Expert Adviceπ€«
We think this is how you could land Operations Director
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fire safety and construction sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and showcase your expertise.
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Ventro Group and its brands. Understand their values and recent projects, so you can demonstrate how your experience aligns with their goals.
β¨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led teams and improved operational performance in previous roles. Use specific examples to highlight your impact.
β¨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Ventro Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Operations Director role. Highlight your experience in managing multi-million-pound projects and your knowledge of passive fire protection systems. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Showcase Leadership Skills:As a senior role, we need to see your leadership chops! Share examples of how you've led teams, improved performance, and fostered accountability. This is your chance to shine a light on your team management experience.
Be Data-Driven:We love numbers! When discussing your past roles, include specific metrics that demonstrate your success in financial forecasting and margin control. This will help us understand the impact you've made in previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. Itβs the best way for us to receive your application and ensures it gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ventro - Fire Compliance
β¨Know Your Numbers
As an Operations Director, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on your P&L management skills and be ready to discuss how you've improved margins and managed costs in previous roles. Bring specific examples of financial forecasts you've delivered and how they impacted project profitability.
β¨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong team leadership. Prepare to talk about your experience in developing teams and fostering a culture of accountability. Think of examples where you've successfully led Project Managers or Site Managers, and how you motivated them to achieve high performance.
β¨Understand Compliance Standards
Familiarity with industry standards like FIRAS and the Building Safety Act is crucial. Make sure you can discuss how you've ensured compliance in past projects. Be ready to explain your approach to quality assurance and how it contributes to client satisfaction and safety.
β¨Client Relationship Management
Since this position involves managing client relationships, prepare to share your strategies for building long-term partnerships. Think of instances where you've turned escalations into opportunities and how you've maintained a client-first mindset throughout your career.