Head of Operations – Energy (Offshore)
ESS – Part of Compass Group UK & Ireland
Location: Westhill, Aberdeenshire (Office-based with travel including offshore)
Salary: Competitive + Excellent Company Benefits
About Us
ESS, part of Compass Group, is a market-leading provider of catering, hospitality, and support services to the Energy sector. We deliver safe, high-quality, and innovative operational solutions to offshore and onshore clients predominantly across the UK and Netherlands.
As we continue to strengthen our operational delivery and client partnerships, we are recruiting a Head of Operations – Energy (Offshore) to join our leadership team.
The Role
The role is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership to deliver business objectives, drive sustainable growth, and ensure safe, compliant, and efficient operations.
The postholder sets the long-term vision, translates strategy into actionable plans, and leads performance through effective governance, financial control, and data-driven decision-making.
The role oversees contract delivery across the full lifecycle, including mobilisation and demobilisation, workforce planning, subcontractor management, and client relationship management.
The postholder ensures compliance with all regulatory, licensing, health, safety, environmental, and company requirements.
A key focus of the role is on developing high-performing teams through strong leadership, coaching, and engagement, while identifying market opportunities to expand service lines, increase self-delivery capability, and support the development of commercially sound bids and proposals.
This is a high‑impact leadership role, suited to an operational expert who thrives in a fast-paced environment with complex stakeholder demands.
Requirements
Essential Experience & Skills
Proven senior leadership experience managing large teams and complex, multi-site operations.
Strong strategic planning and operational management capability, with a track record of delivering business objectives and results.
Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships at all levels.
Demonstrated ability to lead change, drive innovation, and deliver continuous improvement initiatives.
Strong commercial and financial acumen, including management of substantial budgets in price-sensitive markets.
In-depth understanding of relevant regulatory, compliance, and governance requirements.
Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop diverse, high-performing teams aligned to organisational goals.
Strong client and customer focus, with a demonstrable record of delivering high levels of satisfaction.
Experience delivering catering and facilities management contracts within the Energy and Infrastructure sectors (land-based environments).
Flexibility and adaptability to respond effectively to changing business priorities, with the ability to transfer skills across service lines.
Full, valid driving licence.
Desirable Experience & Skills
Level 6 Qualification in Management & Leadership.
Understanding of Energy sector, including offshore.
Holds, or is willing to obtain, required offshore certifications: OEUK Medical and Food Handlers Medical (including shoulder measurements), BOSIET/FOET, and MIST.
Due to offshore safety requirements, this role is subject to OEUK Safe Weight Limit guidelines, effective from 1 November 2026.
What We Offer
Competitive salary
Company benefits and pension
Opportunities for progression within Compass Group
A supportive, collaborative working environment
How To Apply
If you're an experienced operational leader looking for a challenging and rewarding next step within a global organisation, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover note outlining your suitability for the role.