Director of Operations

Director of Operations – Mechanical & Electrical Hard Services Ireland | €120,000–€130,000 + 20% Bonus | Senior Leadership Hall Recruitment is recruiting a Director of Operations – Mechanical & Electrical Hard Services for an established national engineering and technical facilities management business. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious, commercially astute senior operational leader with a proven background in Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) Hard Services who is ready to progress into a director-level position. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will take responsibility for the operational performance of a national engineering services portfolio, overseeing approximately 80–100 mobile engineers, supported by operational management, scheduling and contract support teams. The business delivers mechanical, electrical, HVAC, planned and reactive maintenance, statutory compliance and specialist technical services. We are looking for someone with strong leadership presence, technical credibility and commercial judgement who can challenge established processes constructively, introduce positive operational change and deliver measurable improvements in business performance. Previous experience holding a Director of Operations title is not essential, provided you can demonstrate the senior management experience and capability required. Key Responsibilities - Operational Leadership: Lead national M&E and Hard FM service delivery, ensuring consistent standards, operational accountability and performance across multiple contracts. - Commercial Management: Take responsibility for operational budgets, contract P&Ls, financial forecasting, margins and cost control. - Engineering Operations: Oversee mobile engineering teams, workforce scheduling, resource allocation and specialist subcontractors. - Technical Services: Ensure effective delivery of mechanical, electrical, HVAC, planned preventative maintenance (PPM), reactive maintenance and statutory maintenance activities. - Health & Safety: Maintain compliance with Irish health and safety legislation, statutory maintenance obligations and technical governance requirements. - Business Improvement: Identify inefficiencies, improve engineering productivity and introduce practical changes to operational processes, reporting and CAFM systems. - Customer Relationships: Manage senior customer relationships, oversee contract performance and support retention, renewals and business development. - Contract Mobilisation: Lead the mobilisation of new technical services contracts and support major tenders. - People Leadership: Develop operational managers, strengthen team performance and establish a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Essential Experience & Requirements To be considered, applicants must demonstrate: - Significant senior operational management experience within a Mechanical & Electrical Hard Services, technical facilities management or engineering services company. - Strong technical understanding of mechanical and electrical building services, including HVAC. - Proven experience managing complex, multi-site engineering operations and substantial technical teams. - Experience overseeing mobile engineering workforces and specialist subcontractors. - Significant responsibility for operational budgets, financial forecasting and contract P&L performance. - Experience managing planned preventative maintenance, reactive maintenance and statutory compliance. - A proven record of improving operational efficiency, contract profitability and engineering productivity. - Strong knowledge of Irish health and safety requirements and technical compliance. - Experience using CAFM or computerised maintenance management systems. - Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills. - The confidence and ability to challenge existing processes constructively and lead operational improvements. - A relevant degree or equivalent senior operational experience. A professional background in M&E Hard Services is essential. Experience exclusively within Soft Facilities Management will not meet the requirements of this position. Desirable Experience & Qualifications - Experience within a national M&E engineering or Hard FM services provider. - Leadership of substantial mobile engineering teams. - Experience managing complex technical contracts across multiple sites. - Experience within pharmaceutical, life sciences, manufacturing, data centres, healthcare, commercial property or public-sector environments. - Successful mobilisation of major engineering or Hard FM contracts. - Experience leading operational improvement or business change programmes. - Qualifications in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Building Services, Facilities Management or Operations Management. - Chartered status or recognised professional membership within an engineering or FM discipline. Who Should Apply? We are particularly interested in experienced professionals currently working as: - Senior Facilities Manager – Hard Services - Head of Hard Facilities Management - Head of Mechanical & Electrical Services - Senior Operations Manager – M&E - General Manager – Technical Services - Regional or National Operations Manager – Hard FM - Head of Engineering Operations - Senior Technical Services Manager You do not need to have previously held a Director of Operations title. The ideal candidate will have a proven record of managing substantial engineering operations, leading experienced technical teams, taking responsibility for commercial performance and delivering measurable business improvements. You will be confident engaging with senior executives and customers, technically credible with engineering teams and capable of taking ownership of a national operational portfolio. Salary & Benefits - Basic Salary: €120,000–€130,000 per annum, depending on experience - Performance Bonus: 20%, subject to the employer's bonus arrangements - Pension: Company pension benefit - Annual Leave: 25 days - Vehicle: Company car or car allowance - Reporting To: Managing Director - Operational Scope: National M&E Hard Services portfolio The specific office location, travel requirements and working arrangements will be discussed during the recruitment process. Right to Work Requirements Applicants must already hold the legal right to live and work in Ireland on a permanent, full-time basis without requiring employer sponsorship. Candidates must also be able to meet the travel and attendance requirements associated with a national operational leadership position. Apply Now If you are an ambitious senior M&E or Hard FM leader ready to take the next step into a Director of Operations position, we would like to hear from you. Please ensure your CV demonstrates: - Your senior operational leadership experience within M&E Hard Services. - The scale of engineering teams and contract portfolios you have managed. - Your responsibility for operational budgets and contract P&Ls. - Examples of improvements you have delivered in profitability, productivity or service performance. - Your experience leading operational change and developing management teams. At Hall Recruitment, we're dedicated to building diverse and authentic workplaces. We also know that excellent candidates rarely match 100% of a job description. If you meet around 70% of the criteria for this role, please don't hesitate to get in touch. The essential M&E Hard Services background and senior operational leadership requirements must still be met.