Head of Operations

Build your future with FM Conway.

FM Conway is currently seeking an experienced Head of Operations to join our Digital Urban Solutions division, based across Sevenoaks and London.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced leader to take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the division, working closely with the Divisional Director and senior management team. As Head of Operations, you will play a vital role in ensuring our contracts and projects are delivered safely, efficiently and within budget, while maintaining the high standards we consistently deliver to our clients.

You will help drive the division forward by improving performance, making the best use of resources and supporting the development of our teams.

The role and responsibilities

Our Head of Operations will monitor performance, identify areas for improvement and introduce processes that help increase efficiency across the division. You will also support the commercial success of the business, keeping a close eye on costs, budgets and profitability to ensure projects are delivered successfully.

A key part of the role will be leading and developing your team. You will set clear expectations, support managers in achieving their objectives and address performance concerns, while creating a positive working environment where people can develop and perform at their best.

What you'll be doing

• Overseeing the division's contracts and projects, ensuring works are delivered safely, efficiently and to the required standards
• Working with the Divisional Director and senior management team to deliver business plans and support future growth.
• Setting clear priorities, processes and performance targets to improve consistency and accountability.
• Ensuring projects are properly planned and resourced, with the right people and equipment in place to meet programme and budget requirements.
• Monitoring results and identifying ways to improve productivity, reduce delays and avoid unnecessary costs.
• Reviewing labour, material and project costs to manage budgets effectively and improve profitability.
• Working with commercial and project teams to manage risks, protect margins and support accurate financial forecasting.
• Working with procurement to improve purchasing, supplier performance and cost control.
• Leading and developing the team, including Senior Contracts Managers, to help individuals reach their potential and achieve their objectives.
• Encouraging a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and getting things right first time.
• Ensuring the division complies with company policies, contractual requirements and relevant legislation, while maintaining high health, safety and environmental standards.

What we're looking for

Are you someone with strong leadership and commercial experience who can develop people, improve performance and help drive the division forward?

You will have experience managing a team or business function, with a good understanding of project delivery, budgets and profitability. You'll be confident making decisions, managing competing priorities and finding practical ways to improve efficiency.

You'll also have:

• A proven track record of improving productivity, efficiency and business performance
• Strong commercial awareness, including experience with budgets, forecasts, costs and KPIs
• Excellent organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage deadlines and changing priorities
• Experience leading and developing teams, including addressing underperformance and holding people accountable
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues at all levels
• A proactive approach to problem-solving, with the confidence to challenge existing processes and identify better ways of working
• High standards of professionalism, integrity and attention to detail
• A degree or equivalent level of experience
• Experience in construction, engineering, electrical or lighting contracting, or a similar industry is highly beneficial

What you'll get in return

This is an opportunity to take on a key leadership role within our Digital Urban Solutions division, where you can make a real difference to how we deliver our projects and services.

You'll work closely with the senior leadership team, develop your people and help improve the division's performance and profitability, while contributing to the continued growth of FM Conway.

If you're an experienced leader looking for your next challenge, we'd love to hear from you!

FM Conway is required to verify the right to work in the UK for all successful candidates. Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory right-to-work checks.
Please note that FM Conway is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must therefore have the right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship from FM Conway, either now or in the future.

FM Conway is an award-winning equal opportunities employer. We recognise that our workforce should reflect our diverse communities and we are proudly committed to creating an inclusive culture in which we celebrate and value individuals from all walks of life. EDI-Strategy

At our heart we are a business that recognises and embraces individuality, so if you are excited about this role but you are unsure if you meet all of the criteria, we encourage you to apply anyway as you may still be the right candidate for this or another role we are recruiting for.

We believe in people, not algorithms. That's why every application is personally reviewed by a member of our Recruitment Team - never by AI.

We look forward to receiving your application!