Business Director
| Posting date: | 23 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | Competitive |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 22 February 2026 |
| Location: | Bristol |
| Company: | Compass Group |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 209207 |
Summary
Business Director
Lead with Purpose. Shape What’s Next.
South of England
Competitive salary + car allowance, bonus & benefits
At ESS – Defence, Marine & Aerospace, we don’t just deliver services.
We enable missions, support people, and create exceptional environments for those who serve, protect, and innovate.
Now, we’re searching for a Business Director, a bold and inspiring leader who can elevate our operational landscape across the South West, championing both commercial strength and service excellence. This is more than a role—it’s an opportunity to influence an organisation that sits at the heart of some of the UK’s most important sectors.
What this role stands for
Impact that mattersYou’ll shape the strategic direction of a diverse, high-performing business that supports critical environments—places where world‑class service truly makes a difference.
You’ll guide and develop an exceptional management community, building a culture where people feel valued, empowered, and proud of the work they do.
You’ll use insight, data and creativity to enhance operational performance, strengthen partnerships, and unlock new opportunities for growth and excellence.
You’ll be the face of ESS for key clients and stakeholders—building trust, listening closely, and ensuring our solutions always meet the needs of the people we serve.
What you’ll lead
In this pivotal role, you will:
- Set a bold vision for growth, retention and outstanding service across your region.
- Bring strategic focus to operational delivery—driving commercial performance and elevating the customer experience.
- Mentor, coach and inspire leaders at every level, cultivating a resilient and inclusive talent pipeline.
- Oversee resources, budgets and performance with clarity, commerciality and foresight.
- Build strong relationships with clients, partners and industry bodies—representing ESS with confidence, professionalism and integrity.
- Stay close to the voices of customers and teams, ensuring our services continually evolve and excel.
Who you are
You are a leader who combines strategic insight with operational sharpness.
Someone who thrives in dynamic, people‑driven environments and embraces the challenge of steering a complex regional business with confidence.
You’ll bring:
- A strong record of success in senior operations or commercial leadership.
- Deep experience managing people, performance and complex portfolios.
- Strong financial, commercial, and analytical capability.
- The confidence to influence, negotiate and inspire at every level.
- A collaborative mindset and a passion for delivering exceptional service.
- Experience from sectors such as facilities services, hospitality, defence, marine, aerospace or other multifaceted operational environments (advantageous, but not essential).
- A commitment to excellence and the drive to continually raise the bar.
Why ESS?
Because here, leadership has purpose.
You’ll join a business where innovation, service, and people sit at the centre of everything we do, and where your influence will be felt across an organisation that plays a vital role in supporting highly specialised communities every single day.
If you’re ready to lead with impact, shape growth, and take your career to the next stage, we’d love to hear from you.