Operating Unit Director - Local Govt OU4 (Lon & SE)
| Posting date: | 19 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 18 April 2026 |
| Location: | SE1 9SG |
| Company: | Mitie |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 92570 |
Summary
Purpose
-As Operating Unit Director for the Local Government & Education (LG&E) business, you will lead all operational, commercial, and strategic outcomes across your portfolio of contracts. You will ensure safe, compliant, and high‑quality service delivery for local authorities, PFI arrangements, and education clients, while building trusted long‑term partnerships that strengthen Mitie's reputation in the public sector.
-You will shape and execute a compelling LG&E strategy aligned to Mitie's Technical Services ambitions, drive high‑performing teams, and deliver sustainable growth, value for money, and excellent community outcomes. You will role‑model Mitie's values, embody a frontline‑focused leadership style, and foster a culture of operational resilience, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
-Develop and deliver the LG&E Operating Unit strategy, ensuring alignment with Mitie's national priorities and customer expectations.
-Identify opportunities for growth across Local Government and Education markets, including PFI re‑bids, contract extensions, and improved service solutions.
-Champion innovation, digital adoption, and operational standardisation across contracts.
-Build future-ready capability through strong leadership, succession planning, and talent development.
Operational Excellence
-Ensure safe, compliant, resilient operations across all LG&E contracts, with a strong focus on customer satisfaction and KPIs.
-Oversee complex PFI contract delivery, ensuring governance, lifecycle management, commercial accuracy, and risk control.
-Embed robust risk management, H&S, business continuity, and statutory compliance frameworks.
-Lead turnaround activity on underperforming contracts and ensure service recovery plans are executed effectively.
-Drive continuous improvement to uplift quality, efficiency, sustainability, and community impact.
People Leadership
-Lead, support, and develop a high‑performing leadership team across the LG&E Operating Unit.
-Champion Mitie's values, creating a positive, engaged, and accountable culture.
-Build capability through coaching, workforce development, and talent pipelines.
-Promote consistent people management, including performance, succession, and training.
Client & Stakeholder Management
-Act as executive sponsor for key Local Government and Education clients, developing strong senior‑level relationships.
-Ensure exceptional customer outcomes, focusing on satisfaction, retention, and service value.
-Represent Mitie with external bodies including councils, education trusts, regulatory stakeholders, and sector forums.
-Ensure teams understand the local authority environment, political context, community priorities, and regulatory landscape.
Commercial & Financial Accountability
-Hold full accountability for the Operating Unit P&L, delivering revenue, margin, and cash targets.
-Oversee commercial governance, robust forecasting, and accurate lifecycle and FM cost management.
-Ensure compliance with Delegation of Authority, contractual obligations, and risk frameworks.
-Drive profitable growth by expanding existing contracts, identifying renewal opportunities, and supporting new business bids.
Competencies
-Significant leadership experience in public sector delivery (Local Government, Education, PFI, or complex public‑sector FM environments).
-Proven track record of delivering safe, compliant, and customer‑centric operations.
-Strong commercial and financial acumen with ownership of sizeable P&L.
-Experience navigating PFI, local authority governance, and contractual frameworks.
-Demonstrated success in leading large operational teams and developing senior leaders.
-Strong stakeholder‑management skills, including engagement with senior council officers, elected members, and education leaders.
-Deep understanding of public‑sector risk, compliance, statutory regulations, and value‑for‑money drivers.
-Enterprise mindset with the ability to simplify complexity and implement standardised solutions.
-High credibility, resilience, and ability to influence at all levels.
Skills Profile
-Excellent influencing and stakeholder‑engagement skills.
-Collaborative, low‑ego leadership style with strong alignment to Mitie's values.
-Resilient, curious, and proactive. Comfortable operating in complex public‑sector environments.
-Strong drive for performance, improvement, and contract excellence.
-Visible role model across the TS Senior Leadership community.
-As Operating Unit Director for the Local Government & Education (LG&E) business, you will lead all operational, commercial, and strategic outcomes across your portfolio of contracts. You will ensure safe, compliant, and high‑quality service delivery for local authorities, PFI arrangements, and education clients, while building trusted long‑term partnerships that strengthen Mitie's reputation in the public sector.
-You will shape and execute a compelling LG&E strategy aligned to Mitie's Technical Services ambitions, drive high‑performing teams, and deliver sustainable growth, value for money, and excellent community outcomes. You will role‑model Mitie's values, embody a frontline‑focused leadership style, and foster a culture of operational resilience, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
-Develop and deliver the LG&E Operating Unit strategy, ensuring alignment with Mitie's national priorities and customer expectations.
-Identify opportunities for growth across Local Government and Education markets, including PFI re‑bids, contract extensions, and improved service solutions.
-Champion innovation, digital adoption, and operational standardisation across contracts.
-Build future-ready capability through strong leadership, succession planning, and talent development.
Operational Excellence
-Ensure safe, compliant, resilient operations across all LG&E contracts, with a strong focus on customer satisfaction and KPIs.
-Oversee complex PFI contract delivery, ensuring governance, lifecycle management, commercial accuracy, and risk control.
-Embed robust risk management, H&S, business continuity, and statutory compliance frameworks.
-Lead turnaround activity on underperforming contracts and ensure service recovery plans are executed effectively.
-Drive continuous improvement to uplift quality, efficiency, sustainability, and community impact.
People Leadership
-Lead, support, and develop a high‑performing leadership team across the LG&E Operating Unit.
-Champion Mitie's values, creating a positive, engaged, and accountable culture.
-Build capability through coaching, workforce development, and talent pipelines.
-Promote consistent people management, including performance, succession, and training.
Client & Stakeholder Management
-Act as executive sponsor for key Local Government and Education clients, developing strong senior‑level relationships.
-Ensure exceptional customer outcomes, focusing on satisfaction, retention, and service value.
-Represent Mitie with external bodies including councils, education trusts, regulatory stakeholders, and sector forums.
-Ensure teams understand the local authority environment, political context, community priorities, and regulatory landscape.
Commercial & Financial Accountability
-Hold full accountability for the Operating Unit P&L, delivering revenue, margin, and cash targets.
-Oversee commercial governance, robust forecasting, and accurate lifecycle and FM cost management.
-Ensure compliance with Delegation of Authority, contractual obligations, and risk frameworks.
-Drive profitable growth by expanding existing contracts, identifying renewal opportunities, and supporting new business bids.
Competencies
-Significant leadership experience in public sector delivery (Local Government, Education, PFI, or complex public‑sector FM environments).
-Proven track record of delivering safe, compliant, and customer‑centric operations.
-Strong commercial and financial acumen with ownership of sizeable P&L.
-Experience navigating PFI, local authority governance, and contractual frameworks.
-Demonstrated success in leading large operational teams and developing senior leaders.
-Strong stakeholder‑management skills, including engagement with senior council officers, elected members, and education leaders.
-Deep understanding of public‑sector risk, compliance, statutory regulations, and value‑for‑money drivers.
-Enterprise mindset with the ability to simplify complexity and implement standardised solutions.
-High credibility, resilience, and ability to influence at all levels.
Skills Profile
-Excellent influencing and stakeholder‑engagement skills.
-Collaborative, low‑ego leadership style with strong alignment to Mitie's values.
-Resilient, curious, and proactive. Comfortable operating in complex public‑sector environments.
-Strong drive for performance, improvement, and contract excellence.
-Visible role model across the TS Senior Leadership community.