Managing Director

UK-based with a preference for candidates within reach of Doncaster or Preston

Role overview

A leading provider of integrated asset management software and pavement testing services is seeking a commercially astute, people‑focused Managing Director to lead and scale a business currently generating £10–12m revenue with 100+ colleagues across multiple UK sites. The MD will provide the leadership, structure and commercial drive the business needs, commanding the respect of highly technical teams while positioning the organisation for continued investment and growth within a wider group environment.

About the business

The company delivers end‑to‑end infrastructure asset management, combining asset management and engineering consultancy, accredited asset management systems and industry‑leading survey technologies for highways, structures and airfields. It operates AI‑enabled pavement condition data capture and modelling software alongside a UKAS‑accredited laboratory, providing advanced asphalt and materials testing and certification services.

Key responsibilities

• Own full P&L accountability for a £10–12m revenue, 100+ headcount business, setting and delivering a clear growth strategy in partnership with group leadership.
• Provide visible, values‑led leadership to highly intelligent technical teams across software, surveying, consultancy and laboratory operations, raising standards in organisation, governance, performance management and commercial execution.
• Strengthen and align the software/data and testing propositions into a coherent, scalable offer that maximises utilisation of survey technology, lab capacity and asset management analytics for public and private sector clients.
• Drive top‑line growth and margin improvement through pricing discipline, pipeline management, key account development, bid and tender excellence, and disciplined project delivery.
• Implement robust KPIs and reporting for safety, quality, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction and financial performance, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001, 17025, 14001 and 45001 and leveraging the company’s award‑winning status and industry accreditations.
• Shape culture and structure: clarify roles, build a strong senior leadership team, address under‑performance and embed behaviours aligned to teamwork, integrity, development and pride.

Candidate profile

• Proven track record leading a highly technical, engineering, consultancy or testing services business, with responsibility for P&L, growth and culture, without needing to be the deepest technical subject matter expert.
• Strong commercial and operational leader, comfortable bringing structure, systems and performance management into a growing organisation while maintaining an entrepreneurial, client‑focused mindset.
• Experienced in managing and influencing multi‑disciplinary teams of technical specialists (for example engineers, data scientists, surveyors, laboratory scientists), earning respect through clarity, consistency and sound judgement.
• Demonstrable experience of driving change in scaling organisations, with the resilience and emotional intelligence to build trust internally and externally.
• Gravitas and communication skills to represent the business with key customers, local authorities, regulators, industry bodies and investors, articulating the value of data‑driven asset management and accredited testing services.