Back to search
Location: Central London (Projects across Zones 1–2)
Salary: £70,000 – £90,000 (DOE) + flexible benefits / day rate option available
Benefits - No set Annual Leave Allowance, Travel Expenses & full Autonomy
The Opportunity
We’re partnering with an ambitious, family-run contractor with a strong footprint in London’s commercial fit-out and refurbishment market. Known for their integrity, low staff turnover, and consistent delivery, they’re now seeking a capable and commercially minded Operations Manager — someone who can oversee day-to-day operations and help drive the business forward.
This isn’t about plugging a gap. It’s a key strategic hire for someone who wants to step into a long-term leadership role, with a clear path to Directorship and potential profit share as the business continues to grow.
The Role
You’ll work closely with the MD to oversee live projects, support site teams, and ensure operations run smoothly, with the freedom to bring your ideas to the table and improve how things are done. It’s a hands-on, high-trust role with real influence.
Your remit will include:
- Running multiple refurbishment and fit-out schemes across Central London (CAT A / CAT A+ and more complex works)
- Managing commercial performance and ensuring projects are financially healthy
- Supporting estimating for tenders up to £1m (they don’t do overly complex jobs)
- Acting as the face of the business with clients — securing repeat work and growing relationships
- Driving quality, safety, and programme delivery across all sites
- Mentoring the team, bringing people with you, and fostering a collaborative, accountable culture
They’re not after a polished corporate manager — they want someone sharp, ambitious, and down-to-earth. A builder at heart with commercial brains, who can own the role and grow into something much bigger.
The ideal person will bring:
- A proven background delivering refurbishment and fit-out projects in London (CAT A / CAT A+ especially)
- Estimating experience up to £1m project value
- Commercial understanding — how to run profitable jobs without upsetting clients
- Strong grasp of risk management (contractual, financial, and safety-related)
- Knowledge of JCT Minor Works and Intermediate contracts
- The ability to run a job from tender through to final account
- Leadership qualities — able to get the team on side and bring the best out of others
- A flexible, hardworking mindset — someone who’s happy to dig in when needed and lead by example
- Confidence with clients, and happy to socialise/network to build rapport and workstreams
- London-based (or within 30 mins) — no need to drive
- Shape your own future — potential for Directorship and profit share in the long term
- Work directly alongside the MD with autonomy and input into decision-making
- Genuinely flexible culture — focus on results, not red tape
- Clear growth plans, backed by repeat clients and stable workload
- A realistic, down-to-earth leadership style — they want someone sharp but human
