Operations Director

An international industrial services organisation is seeking an experienced Operations Director to lead its European operations.

The Operations Director will take full responsibility for operations across the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, working closely with the Managing Director and executive leadership team. The successful candidate will bring a strategic, process-driven approach and a proven ability to strengthen operational performance through leadership, governance, and organisational development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all operational activities across multiple Central European business units.
• Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with overall business objectives.
• Establish robust operational processes, governance frameworks, and performance management structures.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency, consistency, and service delivery.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and support to Operations Managers across each country.
• Partner with the Managing Director and wider executive team on strategic planning and organisational development.
• Identify operational challenges and implement sustainable long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes.
• Support change management initiatives across the organisation and foster a culture of accountability and performance.
• Monitor operational performance through KPIs and ensure alignment with business priorities.
• Travel regularly across the region to maintain strong engagement with local leadership teams and operational sites.

Profile

• Proven experience in a senior operational leadership position with responsibility for multiple sites, countries, or business units.
• Strong track record of leading operational transformation, organisational development, and change management programmes.
• Experience building processes, structures, and governance frameworks within complex operational environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through others and develop high-performing management teams.
• Experience working as part of an executive leadership or management team.
• Strong understanding of operational performance management and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience within industrial services, technical services, engineering, manufacturing, contracting, or similarly operationally intensive environments is advantageous.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic leadership with the ability to translate business goals into operational execution.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills across executive, management, and operational levels.
• Ability to influence and drive organisational change within established business environments.
• Commercial awareness combined with strong operational judgement.
• Structured, process-oriented approach to problem solving.
• Resilient, pragmatic, and capable of navigating complex organisational challenges.
• Strong coaching and leadership development skills.

Interested?

For further information, please contact Costantino Sartori.