Area Operations Director

We are seeking an experienced Area Operations Director to lead soft FM services across a portfolio of Ministry of Defence (MOD) establishments across the North of England. The role provides strategic and operational leadership across a complex multi-site portfolio delivering catering, retail, cleaning, accommodation support, and other soft FM services within a highly regulated defence environment. You will lead a team of contract and general managers, ensuring consistent service excellence, strong financial performance, compliance with MOD governance frameworks, and a culture focused on safety, operational discipline, and continuous improvement. As the senior operational leader across the region, you will also act as a key interface with MOD and Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) stakeholders, ensuring strong partnerships, contract compliance, and delivery of agreed service outcome,

• Lead operational delivery across multiple MOD establishments, ensuring consistent service standards across catering, retail, cleaning, and hospitality services.
• Provide leadership to a team of Contract Managers and General Managers, creating a culture of accountability, engagement, and operational excellence.
• Act as the senior operational interface with MOD and Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) stakeholders, building trusted partnerships and ensuring contract delivery meets client expectations.
• Drive commercial performance across the portfolio, with accountability for revenue, labour productivity, food cost control, and gross profit delivery.
• Ensure full compliance with contract governance, health & safety requirements, regulatory standards, and audit frameworks across all locations.
• Lead performance reviews, governance meetings, and operational reporting, presenting confidently to senior leadership and client stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for service innovation, operational improvement, and contract growth, supporting the long-term success of the HESTIA contract.
• Champion a strong safety culture, ensuring best practice in health, safety, and wellbeing across the portfolio.
• Support mobilisation, service transformation and operational change initiatives where required., Success in this role will be measured through:
• Client satisfaction and contract performance
• Financial performance and margin delivery
• Employee engagement and leadership capability
• Compliance and audit performance
• Delivery of service improvement initiative.
  
  Extensive experience in contract catering within a senior, multi-site management role, leading large-scale FM or hospitality operations, ideally within defence, government, or other regulated environments. Demonstrated ability to lead senior operational teams across complex portfolios.
• Strong commercial acumen with responsibility for P&L performance, financial reporting, and cost management.
• Experience managing client relationships at senior stakeholder level.
• Proven experience delivering operational improvement and service innovation.
• Understanding of compliance, governance, and audit processes within regulated contracts.
• Experience working within the MoD or Defence sector (highly desirable).
  
  Competitive salary + package
• Company car/ car allowance
• Hybrid working
• Generous annual leave that increases in line with service, with the opportunity to buy extra
• Life assurance and pension scheme
• Benefits app: access to 100s of discounts, free mortgage advice, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, online GP appointments, and our Employee Assistance Programme
• FOOD! Opportunities to attend in-house events and try the culinary genius of our teams (we are a food business after all!)