We have a unique opportunity for a Director of Operations South- Higher Education to join our growing and successful Education & Healthcare sector in Aramark UK.
We are currently recruiting for an ambitious individual, with a strong knowledge, understanding and insight of the HE market, opportunities, and nuances to join the business.
Working closely with the Regional Operations Director to oversee a portfolio of complex operations, driving success by building a strong culture of innovation, service improvement and delivery, underpinned by commercial performance.
You will be responsible for ensuring that we remain agile, continuing to transform catering services in higher education, enhancing efficiency, student experience, and sustainability through managing and nurturing a talented team of individuals to success.
Whilst this is a role covering higher education sites in the south, you will share best practice across the sector wider HE business.
What’s in it for you:
- Competitive salary, company car and bonus
- Home based role with regular travel across the south
- Private healthcare
- Generous annual leave that increases in line with service, with the opportunity to buy extra
- Defined contribution pension scheme and life assurance benefits
- Access to an employee benefit scheme that offers discounts across hundreds of retail and leisure providers
- Employee Assistance Programme and in-house Mental Health Champions
- FOOD! A plethora of opportunities to attend in-house events and try out the culinary genius of our teams (we are a food business after all!)
A day in the life of an Operations Director:
- Leading the operational teams by example in the consistent delivery across the business, demonstrating commitment to our values and objectives
- Positively collaborate with stakeholders to deliver our company commitments and embed our vision and values within the business.
- Planning, directing, and coordinating all management activities and ensuring these activities are accomplished within agreed time scales, and adapted in accordance with the dynamic needs of the business
- Influence and integrate efforts within the company to champion and build support for sector strategy, including setting targets to harness opportunities to increase margin, drive growth or vary service delivery to maximise performance
- Develop and maintain operational contingency and recovery plans to ensure seamless delivery of service
- Accepting personal ownership and accountability for all areas of regulatory and statutory compliance within the region
- Implement and deliver effective business plans to ensure prompt resolution of commercial or client issues
- Successfully navigate commercial agreements in order to understand and negotiate contractual obligations to mitigate any financial risk
- Interrogate financial performance with direct management team to evaluate delivery of service and contractual obligations to deliver agreed budget
- Prepare and present region business reviews on a monthly basis to the Sector Director
- Develop collaborative Senior Client Relationships within the Region, to ensure we are aligned to client strategy, satisfaction levels and opportunities
- Ensuring direct reports understand business strategy and the customer requirements as well as operational and financial performance
You'll be set up for success if you have:
- Operating at Senior Operational or Operations Director level or equivalent in contract catering or hospitality environment
- High volume, multi-site regional experience including Higher Education
- Positive and collaborative attitude towards working as a team to achieve shared goals.
- Excellent business acumen with a proven track record of managing commercial business underpinned with strong negotiation skills.
- Ability to define priorities and work flexibly and effectively under pressure to meet deadlines
- Strong influencer and stakeholder management experience, with the ability to manage internal & external stakeholder relationships.
- Ability to lead and motivate a team to success whilst managing and supporting change
- Effective communication skills; oral and written, with ability to produce comprehensive reports & strategic business plans.
- Solves problems and actively seeks solid and sustainable solutions
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages
All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Aramark is an equal opportunities employer.