Business Unit Operations Director

Business Unit Operations Director

Contract: Financial Services
Location: London, E14 9SH
Hours of work: 37.5
Contract Type: Permanent

Our client, a leading provider of facilities services in the UK, is seeking a Business Unit Operations Director to lead a significant portfolio of Financial Services client accounts within the UK & Ireland Financial Services segment.

This senior leadership role carries full P&L responsibility for a portfolio of approximately £100m and is accountable for portfolio performance, client retention, commercial growth, operational excellence, and the leadership of account teams.

Job Description

Reporting to the Segment Director, the Business Unit Operations Director will play a key role in delivering the future Financial Services operating model, bringing together clients and wider Financial Services operations into one integrated segment.

Working closely with Key Account Directors, Key Account Managers, Portfolio Management, Commercial, Finance, People & Culture, HSEQ, Business Analysis/WFM and wider support functions, you will drive growth, performance and transformation across the portfolio.

The Business Unit Operations Director will be responsible for leading a complex Financial Services portfolio, ensuring strong financial performance, operational excellence and long-term client retention.

This role requires a strategic leader with the ability to build senior stakeholder relationships, drive commercial growth and lead high-performing teams in a fast-paced operational environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of portfolio financial performance, including P&L accountability, budget delivery, margin improvement, risk management and governance.
• Develop and execute a 1 to 3-year business unit strategy aligned to Financial Services and wider organisational objectives.
• Drive portfolio growth through client retention, account expansion, pipeline development and commercially disciplined service delivery.
• Lead commercial transformation initiatives focused on margin improvement, value-added services, cost control and revenue quality.
• Build and maintain senior client relationships, providing executive-level engagement and strategic account leadership.
• Ensure consistent operational excellence across mobilisation, transition, transformation, compliance, service delivery and continuous improvement activities.
• Use data, workforce planning and performance insights to improve productivity, forecasting accuracy, labour efficiency and business decision-making.
• Lead, coach and develop high-performing teams, building talent pipelines, succession plans and a strong people-focused culture.

Person Specification

• Proven experience leading complex, high-value account portfolios across multiple sites and stakeholder groups.
• Strong commercial and financial management capability, including budgeting, forecasting, contract governance and margin improvement.
• Experience within facilities management, workplace services, business services, outsourcing, property services or a related operational environment.
• Strong understanding of key account management, client retention, contract change management, service improvement and portfolio growth.
• Confidence engaging with senior client stakeholders and executive-level decision-makers.
• Ability to lead through ambiguity, manage complex portfolios and make effective decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven experience developing senior operational leaders, with a strong track record in coaching, succession planning and team development.
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across different teams and other support functions, alongside a data-driven approach to improving performance and commercial outcomes.