Operations Manager - UK

Location: UK national role, projects across multiple regions Sector: Data centres / mission-critical construction Reporting to: UK Managing Director Package: Highly competitive salary and benefits, reflecting the seniority of the appointment Search: Retained exclusively with Lechley Associates

An established international main contractor with a fifteen-year track record delivering data centres for hyperscale clients. The UK business is growing fast: secured pipeline alone will more than double turnover over the next three to five years, with one major scheme live now and further projects mobilising from this autumn.

Project Directors are in place across the portfolio. The business now needs the operational leader above them.

The Role

Reporting directly to the UK Managing Director, the Operations Manager provides strategic and operational leadership across a portfolio of three to five major projects nationally, with annual portfolio turnover building to £300 million to £400 million.

You will oversee Project Directors, Project Managers and senior delivery teams, ensuring every project is delivered safely, profitably, on programme and to the highest quality standards. You are the trusted number two to the Managing Director: taking senior client relationships, resourcing the portfolio ahead of its growth, and giving the MD the operational bandwidth to run the business.

The title reflects the client's company structure; the scope is what most UK contractors would call Operations Director.

This is a flat-structure, hands-on business delivering unforgiving hyperscale programmes. The role carries real autonomy, but it is not a role for someone who manages from an office.

Key Responsibilities

• Overall operational leadership of the UK major projects portfolio.
• Lead, support and develop Project Directors and senior project teams to ensure consistent delivery excellence.
• Drive health and safety, quality, programme and commercial performance across all projects.
• Work with the UK Managing Director to develop and implement operational strategy aligned to business objectives.
• Ensure projects are appropriately resourced and supported throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitor project performance, identifying risks and implementing corrective measures early.
• Own senior relationships with hyperscale clients, consultants, supply chain partners and stakeholders.
• Support pre-construction, bid and business development activity as the pipeline converts.
• Lead succession planning and talent development across the delivery teams.
• Ensure compliance with company governance, contractual obligations and statutory requirements.

What We Are Looking For

• Senior operational leadership at a recognised main contractor: multi-project oversight, not a single-project Project Director background.
• A proven track record delivering large-scale data centre projects. This is essential.
• Demonstrable experience overseeing multiple projects simultaneously on a national basis. Solely regional or single-project careers will not carry the weight this role requires.
• Experience managing project portfolios at £300 million+ annual turnover, or a clear trajectory towards it.
• Circa 20 years in construction, the majority with tier-one or equivalent main contractors.
• Strong commercial awareness, with experience managing complex project financial performance across a portfolio.
• A hands-on operator with genuine presence: comfortable on site directing operations, credible in front of demanding hyperscale clients, and able to grow as the business grows.
• Degree qualified in Construction Management, Civil or Structural Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Willingness to travel nationally.

The Opportunity

Few UK contracting businesses can point to a secured pipeline that more than doubles turnover inside three years. This appointment shapes how that growth is delivered: the systems, the people and the standards of the business it is becoming, built now.

Apply

This search is retained exclusively with Lechley Associates. The client's identity is shared with relevant candidates in conversation. For a confidential discussion, contact Scott Lechley on 07973 460391 or scott@lechley.com.