Operations Director

Our client, Ecokleen Group is in a major scale‑up phase, delivering specialist cleaning, rope access, BMU, MEWP and high‑rise façade services across the M25. With year‑on‑year growth of 30–35%, the founders are strengthening the senior team with an Operations Director who can take decisive control of delivery, elevate operational performance, and build a platform that supports sustained growth.

This role is designed for someone who thrives in a fast-moving commercial environment, takes ownership of performance, and can bring the structure and discipline needed to scale a growing business.

For the right leader, this role offers a credible and supported step into the Managing Director role within ~18 months.

THE ROLE — LEAD, IMPROVE, SCALE

You will take full oversight of day‑to‑day operations, establishing the rigour and pace required for a multi‑service, high‑risk access business. Your focus will balance fast, commercial action with disciplined, compliant, high‑quality delivery.

You will:

• Lead and control operational delivery across rope access, BMU, MEWP and specialist cleaning services
• Drive efficiency and margin improvement, using data, utilisation metrics and structured performance management
• Implement clear operating rhythms, process discipline and ISO‑aligned standards that enhance quality, safety and predictability
• Strengthen client relationships, ensuring reliability, responsiveness and high‑standard delivery for managing agents, developers and major portfolios
• Build the operational leadership layer, setting expectations, coaching managers and creating accountability throughout the team
• Enhance planning, scheduling and reporting, leveraging digital tools to improve transparency, forecasting and decision‑making
• Support commercial strategy, contributing to pricing, job costing, contract performance and tender submissions
• Play a central role in scaling the organisation, preparing systems, people and processes for a larger footprint and more complex operational model
• Act as the natural succession point to MD, taking increasing responsibility for commercial leadership, strategy, P&L and organisational performance

ABOUT YOU — BALANCE OF PACE AND PRECISION

You will bring:

• Senior operational leadership experience in cleaning, soft FM, technical services or high‑risk access
• A track record of delivering margin improvement, performance uplift and stronger contract delivery
• A decisive, commercially sharp mindset with confidence to make fast, informed decisions
• Strong planning, operational discipline and a natural tendency to bring structure and clarity
• Experience embedding processes, standards, reporting and compliance frameworks
• A hands‑on, low‑ego style with an ability to lead from the front while developing others
• Comfort working in a founder‑led, entrepreneurial business, where pace and adaptability are critical
• Ambition to take full business ownership and step into Managing Director responsibilities

WHY JOIN ECOCKLEEN?

• High‑growth environment where your decisions directly impact scale and performance
• A business with real traction and an expanding presence across high‑rise access and specialist cleaning
• Opportunity to shape culture, systems and operational strategy during a key growth phase
• A clear, structured and realistic MD succession plan for the right profile
• ISO‑accredited organisation with a commitment to safety, compliance and quality