✨HEAD OF OPERATIONS
💎RETAIL
📌BEDFORDSHIRE
👉Upto £60,000k
We are looking for an experienced and driven Head of Operations to take full ownership of all operational activities within a busy shopping centre in Bedfordshire. This is a senior, hands-on role requiring strong leadership, commercial awareness and a proactive approach to risk, compliance and service delivery.
You will lead and coordinate all day-to-day operational functions across the centre, ensuring the highest standards of safety, presentation, compliance and customer experience. Working closely with the Centre Director, you will play a key role in delivering the centre’s business plan and long-term operational strategy.
With a number of lifecycle and investment projects planned over the coming years, this role requires confidence in managing risk, business continuity and complex operational programmes.
✨KEY RESPONSIBILITIES...
PEOPLE -
* Take ownership of recruitment, development, retention and performance management plans
* Motivate and lead service partners to deliver consistently high standards
* Support and collaborate with colleagues, fostering a strong “one team” culture
* Build effective relationships with internal teams, occupiers, contractors and key stakeholders
* Deputise for the Centre Director when required, ensuring clear communication on all operational matters
COMMERCIAL & FM -
* Develop and manage all operational budgets, ensuring effective cost control and value for money
* Closely monitor service charge expenditure and oversee ad hoc and project works
* Develop and deliver the Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programme, prioritising major works and minimising disruption
* Coordinate tendering and contract management for hard and soft services
* Actively manage service partners against agreed KPIs
* Support the shop fitting process from instruction through to retail delivery
* Ensure occupier queries are addressed efficiently through the appropriate teams
QUALITY & PRESENTATION -
* Maintain a positive image of the centre at all times
* Carry out regular internal and external inspections, ensuring issues are resolved effectively and permanently
* Work closely with service partners to maintain presentation standards and drive service improvements
* Lead and coordinate on-site projects, acting as the key operational liaison
* Maintain accurate records and produce reports for the wider business as required
COMPLIANCE & RISK -
* Proactively manage operational risk alongside the Centre Director
* Ensure life safety systems and procedures remain current and effective
* Maintain audit-ready compliance systems and records
* Oversee environmental and sustainability initiatives aligned with Responsible Property Investment principles
* Manage insurance-related matters on site
* Ensure KPIs set by the client are achieved
* Maintain utility and technical data across relevant systems and reporting platforms
* Provide accurate data for industry and client reporting requirements (e.g. GRESB, ROSPA)
YOUR IDEAL EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE -
* Strong background in facilities management or a service-led operational environment
* Proven experience delivering complex projects within tight parameters
* NEBOSH qualified
* Solid understanding of statutory compliance, contract law and service charge management
* Good technical knowledge of building construction and plant systems
* Confident user of IT systems including Word, Excel and databases
* Duty Management
YOUR IDEAL SKILLS & QUALITIES -
* Analytical Thinking
* Commercial Awareness
* Decision Making
* Planning & Organising
* Results Focused
* Guest Focused
* Team Working
If you're looking for a new role, please send your CV to sally.ridgway@foundationrecruitment.com