Title:  Area Operations Director - Defence (Soft FM)

Reach for Remarkable

The Role 

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 

Key benefits: 

• 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!) 

What you will do:

• 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. 

What you will bring:

• Extensive experience leading large-scale multisite 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). 

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.

Why join us