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Operations Director

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About The Role

ROLE OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE

As an experienced operational director reporting to the managing director - Aviation, this is an exciting position with room for future progression and an integral part of the senior leadership team. You will be accountable for the strategic direction of the Aviation business. Your main responsibilities include delivering the strategy, controlling and overseeing all business operations, people, and ventures within scope of Aviation services and geographies. As an experienced leader you will steer, drive, and grow the Company to enable the implementation of its vision, mission and long-term goals aligned to the Company Enterprise strategic direction.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Deliver the strategy and deploy "operational excellence" to ensure day-to-day and future operations and tactical decisions align with business goals
  • Streamline operational efficiencies to meet and surpass on-time delivery targets and implement improved operating procedures Standardise design and aviation processes where possible
  • Lead and control the operations and services at all locations within the division
  • Maintain and promote positive relationship with client representatives
  • Ensure operations and related services at all locations within the division, are provided with the necessary, equipment, assets, people and processes are in place
  • Ensure compliance with all safety, security, environmental, compliance and quality standards and procedures established by the Company, by our clients, and by regulatory authorities, including the DfT, CAA, TSA, HSE, at each operation within the Division. Responsible for delivering and/or implementing policies, systems, programmes, processes, procedures and/or plans throughout the locations within the area of control
  • Maintain necessary approval for all the Airport Ground Operating Licences, CAA Training Provider Status, Aviation Security (AvSec), Authorised Signatories and CAA Listed Status for Inflight Supplies
  • Act as customer technical liaison and primary contact (this role will require frequent travel to customer sites)
  • Communicate effectively with team members and clients to ensure monitoring of and fulfilment of performance requirements and reporting. Set-up Departmental KPIs in conjunction with the Managing Director. Understand client performance metrics/SLAs/KPIs and the financial ramifications
  • Review operational performance metrics with the clients and internal team
  • Deliver and implement business strategic objectives annually and measure and review performance against goals for direct reports and the wider team
  • Establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with all team members
  • Responsible for training and mentoring all direct report and wider teams. Create talent and succession plans in conjunction with HR for the operations team
  • Oversee hiring and performance management of directors, general and regional managers within the division
  • Support, work with and agree with Shared Services necessary support direction and resources as part of the Enterprise business approach
  • Prepare for and participate in weekly leadership calls within Aviation UK and wider UK businesses as part of the UK leadership team. Discuss key business initiatives, compliance, new business, recruitment, financial updates, and operational concerns as required
  • Foster collaborative working across all IG's
  • Comply with all safety, security, authorised signatories, compliance, training, environment and quality standards and procedures established by the Company, clients, and regulatory authorities
  • Promote new technology, data reporting and innovation to support the growth and sustainment of the business
  • Promote foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation and a "Just Culture" around H&S and security compliance to ensure lesson learning and reduction in risk
  • Manage profit and loss income statement for the Aviation UK business
  • Prepare for and lead monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reviews for the operational business
  • Ensure that planned profits of the division are realised through effective financial controls, forecasting and management
  • Responsible for division financial planning and budgeting in conjunction with FP&A function
  • Responsible for the delivery of proposals and risk management in response to RFPs and other bids within the business in conjunction with Commercial and Sales teams
  • Participate and/or lead in sales and operational presentations to clients
  • Ensure all accounts are timely paid and up to date managing cashflows and aged debt
  • Oversee the compliance training programmes at each operation within the Division and ensure that all training documents are properly maintained in training files or databases
  • Ensure an active client engagement programme and follow up actions is maintained within the division
  • Supporting business development growth, identifying potential mergers and acquisition (M&A) and large scale TUPE's within region in conjunction with Commercial

About You

Essential

  • Degree or equivalent experience
  • Proven experience as an operations director, divisional director, or other senior managerial position
  • Demonstrable experience in delivering strategic and business plans
  • Proven track record of driving and delivering transformational change
  • Thorough knowledge of market changes and forces that may influence the business
  • Strong understanding of corporate finance and measures of performance
  • Familiar with H&S, Security and Corporate law and management best practice
  • Commercially and business astute with an entrepreneurial and enquiring mindset
  • Natural, charismatic people leader with the ability to operate and influence at all levels and strong desire to progress as an individual
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, organisational and presentation skills
  • Highly resilient with the ability to react quickly to change in a fast-moving, complex business
  • Proven track record of being able to make fast and sound business decisions
  • Proven analytical and problem-solving skills

PREFERABLE

  • Experience in the Aviation sector or similar background in transport, retail and/or logistics
  • Completed Senior Executive Programme for IOSH or similar safety programme
  • Have or held Aviation Security Leadership Programme (AvSec) or similar

About The Company

ABM is one of the world's largest providers of integrated facility services. A driving force for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable world, ABM provides essential services that improve the spaces and places that matter most. ABM offers a comprehensive array of facility services that includes cleaning, engineering, parking, electrical & lighting, energy solutions, HVAC & mechanical, security, and mission critical solutions. ABM delivers these custom facility solutions to properties across a wide range of industries - from commercial office buildings to schools, airports, hospitals, data centres, manufacturing plants and distribution centres, entertainment venues and more. In the UK we're proud to service icon sites across the country with more than 10,000 team members. For more information, visit www.abm.co.uk.

ABM are committed to employment practices that promote diversity and inclusion in employment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief. We are proud members of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme.

Operations Director

Heathrow Airport
London, UK
Full-Time

Published on 29/01/2026

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