Operations Director

Please double check you have the right level of experience and qualifications by reading the full overview of this opportunity below.

Aquarius is a specialist water treatment and hygiene services business (circa 30 FTE), operating as part of the Vadella group. With a field team of approximately 26 engineers, we deliver expert Legionella risk management, pre-commission cleaning, water hygiene monitoring, and associated compliance services to clients across a range of sectors.

We are seeking an Operations Director to take broad ownership of the business — a genuine leadership role with accountability for commercial performance, organisational capability, and operational delivery. This is not an execution role. We are looking for someone who can set direction, build a scalable structure, and drive the next phase of Aquarius's growth within an acquisitive, scaling group environment.

LOCATION

• Camberley, Surrey & field based as required

TERMS & CONDITIONS

• £70k+ dependent on experience and package commensurate with director-level appointment
• Full Time, Permanent
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Company vehicle

REPORTING TO

• Managing Director

Key Responsibilities

Business Ownership & Strategic Direction

• Take broad ownership of Aquarius as a business — accountable for commercial outcomes, people performance, and operational delivery across the whole business.
• Define and drive the strategic direction of the business, translating the group's growth ambitions into clear operational priorities and measurable outcomes.
• Act as a genuine co-leader of the business alongside the MD, contributing to investment decisions, acquisitive growth, and the integration of new capabilities or businesses within the Vadella portfolio.
• Build and maintain a strong external profile — representing Aquarius at industry events, trade bodies, and within key client and partner networks.

Commercial Leadership

• Own the commercial performance of the business — taking direct accountability for revenue growth, margin, contract profitability, and pricing strategy.
• Lead contract strategy end-to-end: from pricing and tendering through to renewal, renegotiation, and portfolio optimisation — driving commercially sound, competitive outcomes.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities including sector growth, geographic expansion, and new service lines, personally leading key pursuits where strategic value warrants it.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of payment applications, management of final accounts, and commercial administration across the portfolio.
• Work closely with the accounts team to maintain robust financial control and ensure the business delivers against its P&L commitments.

Building a Scalable Leadership Layer

• Build the leadership structure Aquarius needs to scale — identifying, developing, and where necessary recruiting the management layer that reduces dependency on any individual and creates a platform for sustainable growth.
• Develop the organisation's capability to operate effectively without over-reliance on current key individuals, ensuring continuity of performance as the business evolves.
• Lead, inspire, and develop the broader operational team — creating a high-performance culture with clear accountability, strong development pathways, and effective succession planning at every level.
• Drive workforce planning, resource allocation, and field management to maximise productivity, contract profitability, and team engagement.

Performance Cadence & Data-Led Management

• Establish and own a rigorous performance management framework — introducing clear cadences for operational, commercial, and people performance review across the business.
• Champion a data-led management culture, ensuring key metrics are defined, tracked, and acted upon consistently — from engineer productivity and contract margin to client satisfaction and compliance KPIs.
• Report into the Vadella group operating model with confidence, presenting clear performance data and narrative to the board and OpCo leadership on a regular basis.
• Drive accountability throughout the business, ensuring leaders at all levels own their numbers and make evidence-based decisions.

Client Relationships & Account Growth

• Serve as a senior point of contact for strategic clients, building long-term partnerships underpinned by technical credibility and consistent service delivery.
• Proactively identify and develop opportunities for account growth, cross-sell, and contract renewal across the existing client portfolio.
• Resolve complex technical and operational issues promptly, maintaining client confidence and protecting the Aquarius reputation.

Technical Governance & Compliance

• Provide credible senior oversight across water treatment and hygiene services, with particular authority in Legionella risk management (L8), pre-commission cleaning (BSRIA BG29/BG50), and relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Ensure the business maintains best-in-class compliance — overseeing quality management systems, accreditations (LCA, CHAS, Safecontractor, ISO), and audit readiness.
• Stay abreast of legislative and industry developments (HSG274, CIBSE, BSRIA) and translate these into operational policy and practice.

Skillset (person Specification)

Essential Requirements

• Significant senior leadership experience within water treatment, water hygiene, or building services compliance — with a track record of leading commercial as well as operational outcomes.
• Proven commercial instincts: experience owning or co-owning P&L, leading pricing and contract strategy, and driving revenue growth through both existing accounts and new business.
• Demonstrated ability to build a leadership layer and create scalable organisational structures — not just manage an existing team.
• Experience operating in a scaling, acquisitive, or multi-site environment, with the judgment to navigate change and build for growth.
• Strong data-led management discipline — comfortable with performance frameworks, KPIs, and presenting commercial and operational data to senior stakeholders.
• Sufficient technical authority in Legionella risk management (L8) and related regulatory frameworks to command credibility with engineers, clients, and regulators.
• Exceptional client-facing skills with the ability to operate at Board and senior stakeholder level.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Experience in an MD, Operations Director, or equivalent leadership role within a specialist contractor or compliance services business.
• Familiarity with field service management software and job management systems.
• IOSH, NEBOSH, or equivalent health and safety qualification.
• Experience managing or supporting industry accreditations (LCA, CHAS, Safecontractor, ISO).

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