Job Introduction
Head of Operations – Energy (Onshore & Infrastructure)
ESS – Part of Compass Group UK & Ireland
Location: Westhill, Aberdeenshire (Office-based with travel)
Salary: Competitive + Excellent Company Benefits
About Us
ESS, part of Compass Group, is a market-leading provider of catering, hospitality, and support services to the Energy sector. We deliver safe, high-quality, and innovative operational solutions to Energy and Infrastructure clients across the UK.
As we continue to strengthen our operational delivery and client partnerships, we are recruiting a Head of Operations – Energy (Onshore & Infrastructure) to join our leadership team.
The Role
- The role is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership to deliver business objectives, drive sustainable growth, and ensure safe, compliant, and efficient operations.
- The postholder sets the long-term vision, translates strategy into actionable plans, and leads performance through effective governance, financial control, and data-driven decision-making.
- The role oversees contract delivery across the full lifecycle, including mobilisation and demobilisation, workforce planning, subcontractor management, and client relationship management.
- The postholder ensures compliance with all regulatory, licensing, health, safety, environmental, and company requirements.
- The role focuses on developing high-performing teams through strong leadership, coaching, and engagement, while identifying market opportunities to expand service lines, increase self-delivery capability, and support the development of commercially sound bids and proposals.
Requirements
Essential Experience & Skills
- Proven senior leadership experience managing large teams and complex, multi-site operations.
- Strong strategic planning and operational management capability, with a track record of delivering business objectives and results.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships at all levels.
- Demonstrated ability to lead change, drive innovation, and deliver continuous improvement initiatives.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including management of substantial budgets in price-sensitive markets.
- In-depth understanding of relevant regulatory, compliance, and governance requirements.
- Technical understanding of delivering Hard Services in line with SFG20 standards.
- Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop diverse, high-performing teams aligned to organisational goals.
- Strong client and customer focus, with a demonstrable record of delivering high levels of satisfaction.
- Experience delivering catering and facilities management contracts within the Energy and Infrastructure sectors (land-based environments).
- Flexibility and adaptability to respond effectively to changing business priorities, with the ability to transfer skills across service lines.
- Full, valid driving licence.
Desirable Experience & Skills
- Level 6 Qualification in Management & Leadership.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary
- Company benefits and pension
- Opportunities for progression within Compass Group
- A supportive, collaborative working environment
How to Apply
If you’re an experienced operational leader looking for a challenging and rewarding next step within a global organisation, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover note outlining your suitability for the role.