Regional Operations Director - South East & London

Company Description

Lead Operations. Shape Strategy. Drive Excellence. 

At Aramark, we empower our people to create experiences that matter. 

Hospitality, service excellence and people are at the heart of everything we do. Across the UK, we deliver essential services that support Government Services, B&I, Education, Healthcare and Sports & Entertainment communities, helping our customers to focus on what they do best while we provide exceptional environments, services and experiences. 

We are looking for an exceptional Regional Operations Director to lead our South East & London Government Services portfolio. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this is a highly influential leadership role with responsibility for a business area that contributes approximately one-third of the Government Services sector's revenue and operational performance. 

Leading a workforce of approximately 1,300 colleagues across multiple locations, you will shape strategy, inspire high-performing teams, strengthen key customer partnerships and drive sustainable commercial success across a diverse and complex operational estate. 

If you are a commercially astute operational leader with experience in regulated environments, we would love to hear from you. 

Job Description

What you will be doing 

As the Regional Operations Director, you will provide strategic leadership and operational direction across a significant portfolio, ensuring every contract delivers against customer expectations, commercial objectives and Aramark standards. 

Responsibilities include:

• Developing and executing regional business plans aligned with wider Government Services and Aramark strategic objectives.
• Leading multiple operations across the South East and London region, ensuring safe, compliant and high-performing service delivery.
• Driving operational excellence, continuous improvement and innovation across all sites.
• Maintaining full accountability for regional financial performance, including budgets, forecasting, profitability and growth targets.
• Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders and customer representatives.
• Leading and inspiring regional leadership teams to deliver exceptional results.
• Championing a culture of accountability, engagement, inclusion and continuous development.
• Overseeing governance, compliance, health and safety, and risk management across the portfolio.
• Leading significant transformation, change and business improvement programmes.
• Collaborating closely with Finance, HR, HSE, Commercial, Procurement and Business Development teams to achieve shared objectives.

What we are looking for

A proven senior leader who combines strategic thinking with operational expertise and has the credibility to influence at the highest levels.

Essential Experience

• Significant expertise leading large-scale, multi-site operations within Catering or Hospitality.
• Proven success managing large, geographically dispersed teams and complex contractual relationships.
• Effective commercial and financial acumen, with accountability for budgets, profitability and forecasting.
• A proven track record for delivering operational excellence and measurable performance improvements.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build trusted relationships at senior levels.
• Experience leading organisational change, transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• The ability to balance strategic priorities with day-to-day operational demands.

About you

You will be an inspirational leader who thrives on creating high-performing cultures and delivering outstanding results through people, and who is:

• Commercially focused and results driven.
• A confident and credible senior stakeholder manager.
• Strategically minded with strong operational discipline.
• Passionate about developing talent and future leaders.
• Resilient, adaptable and comfortable operating in complex environments.
• Driven by continuous improvement and service excellence.

What makes this opportunity stand out?

This is more than a regional leadership position. It is an opportunity to shape the performance, culture and future direction of a significant service portfolio by successful financial delivery, customer satisfaction and growth, leading teams that make a real difference every day.

You will have the autonomy and influence to drive strategic initiatives, strengthen customer partnerships and deliver meaningful operational and commercial outcomes across a complex and high-profile business area.

What is in it for you?

• The opportunity to make your mark in a senior leadership role, with direct influence on business performance and strategic direction.
• Responsibility for a substantial regional portfolio and a workforce of approximately 1,300 colleagues.
• The opportunity to lead large-scale transformation, innovation and continuous improvement programmes.
• Exposure to senior customer and stakeholder relationships.
• The chance to develop and inspire high-performing teams while building future leadership capability.
• Career development opportunities within a global organisation committed to investing in its people.
• A values-led culture focused on safety, inclusion, wellbeing and excellence.
• Competitive salary, bonus and benefits package.

Are you ready to lead the future of Government Services?

If you are an accomplished operational leader with the vision, commercial acumen and leadership capability to deliver exceptional results at scale, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today and help us create experiences that matter.

Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience.
• Professional qualification in Business Management, Operations, Hospitality, Facilities Management or a related discipline.
• Leadership or Management qualification is desirable.

Additional Information

At Aramark UK, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and empowered to thrive.

As a proud Disability Confident Employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all abilities and are dedicated to supporting employees with disabilities throughout their career journey.

We are an Armed Forces Friendly organisation and proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. We welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, cadet forces adult volunteers, reservists and military families.

We ensure our recruitment process is accessible, and reasonable adjustments are available at every stage, from application to interview and employment. If you require any adjustments or have any questions, please reach out to our recruitment team – [email protected]

Any offer of employment for this role will be conditional upon the successful completion and maintenance of the required level of security clearance. Applicants must meet the relevant eligibility and residency requirements applicable to the clearance level associated with the role.

Join us in fostering a workplace where everyone can achieve their full potential.

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.