Head of Service Delivery

Head of Service Delivery

Location: Oxford, Hybrid

Contract Type: Permanent

Industry: Aerospace Manufacturing

Salary: Up to £110,000 per annum

Summary

As Head of Service Delivery, you will play a pivotal leadership role in ensuring the on-time, on-cost, and on-quality delivery of all commitments to both internal and external customers. You will uphold the highest standards of quality, safety, and operational excellence across multiple operational Delivery Teams.

Acting as a key leader, you will drive customer satisfaction, operational and financial performance, and foster a culture of high performance within your teams.

You will provide strategic leadership and oversight, deputising for the Head of Operations when required, representing the Operations Department to internal corporate stakeholders, local UK leadership, and external customers. You will be accountable for the end-to-end delivery performance of Civil and Defence support contracts and delivery projects, ensuring compliance with KPIs, SLAs, and contractual obligations.

The role demands a strong track record in senior operations leadership, ideally within aerospace, defence, or highly regulated heavy engineering sectors. You will manage diverse operational teams across multiple contracts or programmes, with a deep understanding of support contracts, MRO operations, and complex project delivery. Your leadership will be instrumental in maintaining operational excellence, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with aviation regulations and safety standards.

This position requires eligibility for Security Clearance (SC) and a DBS check. Compliance with Export Control Regulations is mandatory.

Skills

• Proven senior operations leadership (8+ years) in aerospace, defence, or regulated heavy engineering
• Strategic leadership and team management across multiple operational delivery teams
• Strong knowledge of support contracts, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) operations
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills at all organisational levels
• Demonstrable ability to manage complex projects and multiple priorities simultaneously
• Data-driven decision-making with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in operational excellence methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma) highly desirable
• Sound commercial acumen including budget and financial management
• Knowledge of aviation regulations and safety standards
• Eligibility for SC clearance and DBS check; compliance with Export Control Regulations

Software/Tools

• Operational performance management systems
• Project and programme management tools
• Data analysis and reporting software
• Lean and Six Sigma toolsets (preferred)

Certifications & Standards

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s degree preferred)
• Security Clearance (SC) eligibility
• DBS clearance
• Operational excellence certifications (Lean, Six Sigma) highly desirable
• Knowledge of aviation safety and regulatory standards