Overview
The Operations Director is a key member of the Oak Specialist Services Board, jointly accountable—alongside the Commercial Director—for the performance, governance, and safe delivery of all operational output. This role provides strategic and hands-on leadership across project delivery, design management, safety governance, supply chain performance, and operational risk management. The Operations Director ensures projects are executed efficiently, safely, and profitably, while reinforcing high technical standards in façade remediation and strengthening Oak’s position as a best-in-class specialist contractor.
Title: Operations Director Location: Solihull
What will you be doing?
* Act as a full Board member contributing to business strategy, governance, forecasting, risk management, and corporate decision-making.
* Shape and implement Oak’s operational strategy aligned with business growth plans and Galliford Try governance requirements.
* Provide leadership across the entire project portfolio, ensuring consistent delivery excellence and client satisfaction.
* Jointly responsible (with Commercial Director) for business performance, including margin improvement, risk control, overhead management, and forecasting accuracy.
* Champion Oak’s culture of safety, integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
* Oversee the successful delivery of all projects from pre-construction through to handover and aftercare.
* Ensure all façade remediation works are executed in line with Building Safety Regulator requirements, technical compliance standards, and project specifications.
* Drive excellence in design coordination, technical assurance, and buildability reviews through collaboration with internal and external design teams.
* Lead the Operations Management and Site Delivery teams, creating high-performing, motivated, and well-supported operational staff.
* Manage operational planning, resourcing, and workforce deployment across all UK projects.
* Act as the accountable Board member for Health, Safety & Environmental performance across Oak’s operations.
* Ensure full compliance with the Building Safety Act, CDM Regulations, fire safety legislation, and façade-specific technical standards.
* Promote a proactive safety culture with robust reporting, investigation, and learning systems.
* Oversee quality assurance and technical compliance, ensuring works meet or exceed spec, standards, and third-party accreditation requirements.
* Maintain senior relationships with clients, consultants, regulators, and supply chain partners.
* Champion Oak’s reputation for technical competency, reliability, and value.
* Address escalations promptly and professionally to protect client relationships and commercial outcomes.
* Represent Oak in client briefings, progress meetings, and strategic discussions.
* Support the Commercial Director in margin protection, cashflow management, forecasting accuracy, and cost discipline.
* Ensure operational teams understand and manage contractual obligations, programme commitments, and risk registers.
* Oversee procurement strategy and supply chain engagement in line with operational requirements.
* Drive operational efficiency, waste reduction, and productivity improvements across all projects.
* Lead the development of operational, design management, and site delivery teams, ensuring clear objectives, pathways, and performance oversight.
* Support succession planning, organisational development, and talent acquisition for operational roles.
* Promote a culture of collaboration across operations, commercial, design, and SHE teams.
* Ensure all staff receive the correct training, including façade-specific competencies and safety-related qualifications.
Required attributes
* Significant senior leadership experience (Operations Director / Senior Operations Manager / Delivery Director) within the façade, cladding, curtain walling, or specialist building envelope sector.
* Proven ability to lead large-scale, complex remediation or construction projects with strict compliance and safety requirements.
* Strong understanding of façade engineering, system design, performance testing, and regulatory compliance (including Building Safety Act processes).
* Demonstrable success in leading multi-disciplinary teams across design, delivery, H&S, and quality.
* Experience operating at board or senior leadership level within a specialist contractor.
* Excellent commercial awareness and understanding of NEC / JCT contracts.
Desirable
* Chartered membership of CIOB, ICE, RICS, or equivalent.
* Experience with in-house design teams and complex technical assurance processes.
* Track record of driving operational transformation or scaling up a specialist contracting business.
What we offer in return
With an impressive order book of over £4.1 billion we are one of the industry’s leading principal contractors, offering stability and opportunities to stretch capabilities and realise long-held career goals. You will join diverse teams at a high professional level with strong commitment. Galliford Try is poised for further growth and success.
* Generous holiday entitlement, increasing with years of service
* A wide range of corporate discounts
* Cycle to Work schemes
* Comprehensive pension plan
* Competitive family leave policy
* Regular Save as You Earn share purchase scheme
* Private medical scheme options and 24/7 employee assistance program
* Paid for yearly membership to a recognised professional association relevant to your role
About us
Galliford Try is one of the UK’s leading construction groups with a vision to be a people-oriented, progressive business delivering lasting change for stakeholders and communities. Our purpose is to improve people’s lives through building facilities and infrastructure, providing opportunities to learn, grow, and progress, and promoting the best working practices while caring for the environment. We value integrity, collaboration, and delivering lasting value. Oak Specialist Services (OSS) is a dedicated unit within Galliford Try, delivering façade remediation solutions across the UK. OSS leads operational delivery with in-house design, engineering, and installation expertise.
For more information on this role or to enquire about other positions please contact Skyemarie Bree – skyemarie.bree@gallifordtry.co.uk
Additional Information: Galliford Try welcomes applications from candidates who would like to work full-time, reduced hours or flexibly. We encourage applicants to discuss requirements to make the process inclusive. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace and, as a Disability Confident employer, offer an interview to candidates that meet essential criteria and have a long-term health condition or disability.
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