Operation Director

Role overview

Leadership and operations

• Set strategic direction for operations and translate business objectives into plans, targets, KPIs, service levels, and accountability frameworks.
• Oversee daily execution across departments and business units; monitor productivity, efficiency, quality, profitability, and service performance.
• Standardize processes, policies, procedures, and operating models; identify bottlenecks, risks, and gaps and implement corrective actions.
• Manage operational budgets, expenses, resources, workforce planning, and cost control while maintaining service quality.
• Lead, coach, and develop operational teams; set objectives and conduct performance reviews with department heads and operational leaders.
• Coordinate with Finance, Sales, Marketing, HR, Technology, Procurement, and senior management.
• Manage continuity, operational risk, compliance, safety, contingency planning, governance, and operational discipline.
• Prepare dashboards, reports, forecasts, and performance reviews; analyze operational and financial data for strategic decisions.
• Lead transformation, expansion, restructuring, automation, and operational improvement projects.
• Manage external stakeholder and vendor relationships; monitor service-provider performance against KPIs and SLAs.
• Align operational capacity with growth, business development, new business models, market expansion, and revenue objectives.
• Report operational performance, major risks, strategic initiatives, and improvement plans to senior management or the Board.

Required qualifications

• Requires proven leadership experience in operations management, business operations, general management, commercial operations, or a related field, including large-scale or multifunctional operations.
• Requires strong business strategy, operational planning, financial management, and performance-optimization knowledge.
• Requires a record of improving efficiency, productivity, service quality, and profitability, and experience managing KPIs, SLAs, budgets, dashboards, and performance frameworks.
• Requires commercial and financial acumen in cost control, budgeting, forecasting, and resource optimization.
• Requires experience leading and developing teams, plus strong stakeholder, negotiation, communication, and influencing abilities.
• Requires analytical, strategic-thinking, and problem-solving skills and experience in transformation, process improvement, digitalization, automation, or operational excellence.
• Requires knowledge of risk management, compliance, governance, and business continuity.
• Requires proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, ERP systems, CRM platforms, BI dashboards, and operational reporting tools.

Preferred qualifications

• Lean, Six Sigma, Agile, or another continuous-improvement methodology is an advantage.
• Industry experience in manufacturing, construction, logistics, healthcare, technology, retail, hospitality, or professional services is advantageous.
• A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, Finance, Management, Supply Chain, or a related discipline is preferred; an MBA or postgraduate business qualification is an advantage.
• Professional certifications in operations management, project management, Lean Six Sigma, supply chain, or business management are an advantage.
• Typically, 10 or more years of relevant experience, including significant leadership responsibility, is preferred for senior Operations Director positions.

Opportunities offered

• The posting describes enterprise-wide operations leadership, transformation, strategic growth, and exposure to senior decision-makers.
• It mentions leadership of cross-functional teams, budgets, risks, vendors, and strategic projects, as well as training, mentorship, and career development.
• It describes potential progression to regional operations director, managing director, chief operating officer, group operations director, or chief executive roles.
• Competitive compensation, performance incentives, and benefits are mentioned, but no amount or pay cadence is provided.