Operations Director (Empower Advisory)

Empower Advisory UK (a part of the BMD Group based in Australia) is a project management and advisory business that makes large, complex projects simple. Our team is composed entirely of people who have made a career in delivering large, complex projects both here in UK and in Australia and who know how to make projects deliver ahead of time and budget and generate exceptional outcomes.

BMD Group is Australia's leading integrated engineering, construction, and urban development business. We are dedicated to powering futures and creating legacies through a commitment to collaboration. Our team is built on the principles of collaboration and sustainability, ensuring the highest standards are met for every project and client.

We are looking for an Operations Director to join our team, reporting into the Managing Director. The role will be based from our North London office.

The Operations Director will:

• Own and redesign the company’s operating system
• Take full responsibility for operational performance and delivery discipline
• Improve margin architecture and economic performance
• Build scalable systems capable of supporting £7–10m+ revenue

This role carries enterprise-level authority over delivery, resource management, compliance and operational financial performance.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Leadership

• Own end-to-end operational workflow
• Standardise operating procedures across consultancy and labour supply functions
• Lead delivery performance across ~60 staff and contractors
• Ensure robust contractor compliance (IR35, AWR, Right to Work, etc.)

2. Commercial & Financial Accountability

• Supporting the MD to drive gross margin expansion and EBITDA improvement
• Supported by the Financial Coordinator, implement contribution analysis by client and service line
• Supported by the Financial Coordinator, own utilisation metrics and resource efficiency
• Design and maintain a monthly operational KPI dashboard
• Introduce forecasting discipline across 6–12 month horizon
• Improve working capital performance and debtor discipline

The successful candidate must be comfortable speaking in margin, contribution and operating leverage terms.

3. Structural Growth & Scale

• Redesign operating model for scale beyond £5m revenue
• Improve incentive alignment between sales and delivery
• Install governance mechanisms that support disciplined growth
• Identify and eliminate low-margin or structurally weak client relationships
• Introduce systems automation where commercially justified

4. Leadership & Culture

• Lead and develop delivery and operational managers
• Establish performance accountability standards
• Chair weekly performance and forecasting reviews
• Act as escalation point for client delivery matters
• Create a culture of data-driven operational discipline

5. Managing Director Integration

• Provide challenge and strategic input to the Managing Director
• Operate as second-in-command for business execution
• Enable the MD to focus 70–80% on strategy and client acquisition
• Support long-term strategic positioning and potential investment readiness

Experience & Professional Requirements

Essential

• Strong interpersonal skills and Emotional Intelligence
• Key stakeholder engagement and management experience
• Demonstrated experience in:
• Engineering consultancy
• Managing 40+ staff in delivery or operations
• Technical staffing / labour supply
• Professional services delivery
• Comparable commercial environments
• Prior accountability for P&L, margin performance or divisional EBITDA
• Proven track record improving operational economics
• Strong financial literacy (margin analysis, forecasting, contribution modelling)
• Experience operating in regulated UK contractor environments

Highly Desirable

• Experience in hybrid consultancy + labour supply models
• Lean, Six Sigma or structured process improvement exposure
• Evidence of scaling or restructuring an SME business
• Experience preparing business for investment or significant scale
• Commercial contract negotiation exposure
• Systems transformation experience (CRM, ERP, payroll integration)

Benefits

We believe our people do their best work when they feel supported — personally and professionally. That’s why we offer benefits that go beyond the basics:

• grow your career with specialised learning and development programs
• be recognised at our annual employee awards event and through our Thrive reward and recognition platform
• prioritise wellbeing with mental health support and discounted gym access
• support your family with paid parental leave for primary and secondary carers and flexible work arrangements available
• access perks with novated leasing, specialised Power Perks and discounts with hundreds of retailers.

Diversity and inclusion

We recognise that we are strengthened by diversity, and we embrace differences as an equal opportunity employer providing a flexible and inclusive workplace.

So, join our team, be yourself and help us power futures and create legacies.

We’re a purpose and values-led business guided by our values of family, empowered, collaborative and driven. For further details on what makes BMD unique, head to https://www.bmdgroup.global/careers

Due to the high volume of applications and enquiries, we are only able to respond to shortlisted candidates. No agency submissions will be accepted.