Operations Director in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

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:

• Lead, inspire, and manage a multidisciplinary team of 20+ site and project staff, dynamically allocating key personnel across the 4 live projects.

• 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.

• Provide hands-on operational leadership across the 4 secured schemes on site, resolving project challenges and ensuring safe, on-time, and profitable delivery.

• Manage regional project budgets, monitor overheads, and work closely with commercial teams to maximise gross profit margins.

• Conduct operational reviews of major regional contracts pre-signature and support seamless handovers from pre-construction to site delivery.

• Partner with pre-construction and estimating teams to support bids, tenders, and framework opportunities.

• Act as a senior point of contact for key client relationships, ensuring repeat business and high client satisfaction.

• Manage Preferred Supplier Agreements and foster strong working relationships with regional subcontractors and suppliers.

• 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:

• Previously held a Senior Management level position (Operations Manager / Operations Director / Senior Contracts Manager / Project Director) within a Main Contractor.

• Recent project experinece to include Education, Healthcare or Commercial projects over £15m in single value. 

• 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.

• Experience in a client-facing capacity, with an appetite to get involved in bids/tenders and business development.

• A motivated and ambitious leader looking build a high-performing regional team, and be rewarded for its success.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Degree in a construction-related field or a comparable construction qualification (NVQ/HNC, etc.).

• 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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