Vacancy Summary
Job Title: Operations Director – Build Construction
Job Type: Permanent
Location: Cambridge Office base (& projects in the East)
Salary: c.£110,000-£130,000+ (Dependent On Experience) + Benefits Package (Car allowance, private healthcare, 30 days holiday + bank holidays, pension contribution, and structured performance bonus).
Company & Project: A successful Main Contractor with multiple UK offices are looking to strengthen its regional prescence in the East with a new Operations Director in the Cambridge Office.
This is a pivotal leadership opportunity created to drive the business's continued expansion across Cambridgeshire, taking the reins of 4 secured live projects already on site.
The business is looking for a delivery-focused operational leader in the Cambridge area and who brings experience of successfully leading teams within the main contracting market.
Our client is a well-respected employer operating on a number of national frameworks with a healthy secured order book for 2027 and immediate live schemes requiring operational guidance.
The successful candidate will focus heavily on leading, mentoring, and supporting a multidisciplinary delivery team of 20+ across the 4 live New Build projects on site, alongside upcoming schemes in pre-construction.
Previous experience in a client-facing capacity and involvement in bids/tenders and business development would be highly advantageous.
Duties & Responsibilities:
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Lead, inspire, and manage a multidisciplinary team of 20+ site and project staff, dynamically allocating key personnel across the 4 live projects.
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Mentor, coach, and drive the professional development of Contracts Manager, Project Managers, Site Managers, and wider operational staff to build a high-performing regional team.
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Provide hands-on operational leadership across the 4 secured schemes on site, resolving project challenges and ensuring safe, on-time, and profitable delivery.
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Manage regional project budgets, monitor overheads, and work closely with commercial teams to maximise gross profit margins.
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Conduct operational reviews of major regional contracts pre-signature and support seamless handovers from pre-construction to site delivery.
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Partner with pre-construction and estimating teams to support bids, tenders, and framework opportunities.
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Act as a senior point of contact for key client relationships, ensuring repeat business and high client satisfaction.
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Manage Preferred Supplier Agreements and foster strong working relationships with regional subcontractors and suppliers.
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Champion exceptional Health, Safety, and Quality standards across all live sites.
Our client is looking for a candidate with a stable career history working for a Main Contractor in a senior operational/management position and previous experience of managing teams of 20+. Recent sector experience to include Education, Healthcare or Commercial projects over £15m in single value.
Desirable Experience:
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Previously held a Senior Management level position (Operations Manager / Operations Director / Senior Contracts Manager / Project Director) within a Main Contractor.
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Recent project experinece to include Education, Healthcare or Commercial projects over £15m in single value.
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Exceptional people management and leadership skills with experience leading teams of c.20 staff, backed by solid technical knowledge of construction delivery, planning, design, and commercial awareness.
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Experience in a client-facing capacity, with an appetite to get involved in bids/tenders and business development.
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A motivated and ambitious leader looking build a high-performing regional team, and be rewarded for its success.
Qualifications & Skills:
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Degree in a construction-related field or a comparable construction qualification (NVQ/HNC, etc.).
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MCIOB status would be advantageous.
Application Process:
If you would like more information about this vacancy, please email Jess Quinn.
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Applications are reviewed regularly and we aim to review applications and contact shortlisted candidates within 48 hours where possible.
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