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.

• 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. Role‑model Mitie’s values, embody a front‑line 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.

Qualifications

• 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.