Head of Business Development and Operations (Cleaning & Hygiene)

Heb Group is a people-powered business delivering Mechanical & Electrical, Facilities Management, Cleaning & Hygiene, and Security services across the UK.

Established in Sheffield in 1923, we have grown into a multi-disciplinary group supporting clients across healthcare, education, commercial, industrial, retail, leisure and public sectors. Today, the business operates from key hubs in Sheffield, Doncaster, Leeds and the North West, delivering projects and maintenance services nationwide.

Within our Cleaning & Hygiene division, we provide professional cleaning services across a wide range of environments, supporting clients with their day-to-day cleaning requirements and helping maintain safe, hygienic and well-presented facilities. Our services are supported by experienced operational teams, a commitment to quality and a focus on building long-term client relationships.

As part of our continued growth, we are looking to appoint an experienced Head of Business Development and Operations to strengthen the division's leadership team, support the development of new business opportunities and ensure the successful delivery of cleaning services across the North of England.

Reporting to the Managing Director of Heb Cleaning & Hygiene, the Head of Business Development and Operations will be responsible for supporting the division's commercial growth, operational performance and continued development across the North of England.

Working closely with the Managing Director, Operations Manager, Contract Managers and wider Heb Group teams, the successful candidate will identify and secure new business opportunities, lead tendering activities, oversee contract performance and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective clients.

The role will combine strategic business development with hands-on operational leadership, ensuring new contracts are commercially viable, successfully mobilised and delivered in accordance with agreed service standards, budgets and client expectations.

The Head of Business Development and Operations will also support the development of Contract Managers and operational teams, drive continuous improvement and deputise for the Managing Director when required, taking responsibility for agreed decisions and priorities.

• Develop and deliver a business growth plan alongside the Managing Director, identifying priority sectors, geographical opportunities and potential growth within existing client relationships.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of new business opportunities through prospecting, networking, partnerships, frameworks and collaboration with Heb Group's wider business development teams.
• Identify opportunities to expand the division's service offering, including specialist cleaning, reactive cleaning, events, education and housing services.
• Develop commercially viable business cases that consider market demand, pricing, resources, equipment, training and anticipated returns.
• Support geographical expansion across the North of England, ensuring appropriate recruitment, supervision, travel arrangements and local service delivery capabilities are in place.
• Lead the tendering process from initial opportunity assessment and site surveys through to pricing, written submissions, presentations and client negotiations.
• Prepare clear, tailored tender submissions demonstrating the division's approach to service delivery, mobilisation, quality standards, workforce development and environmental commitments.
• Develop accurate contract costings covering labour, supervision, equipment, consumables, management and travel requirements.
• Agree proposed margins and commercial terms with the Managing Director and Finance team before tender submission.
• Maintain bid documentation, case studies and tender records, using feedback and results to strengthen future submissions.
• Ensure commitments made during the tendering process are effectively communicated and transferred into operational delivery.
• Work closely with the Operations Manager and Contract Managers to maintain effective contract management, operational performance and client satisfaction.
• Lead, coach and support Contract Managers, establishing clear responsibilities, performance expectations and regular review processes.
• Oversee cleaning operations across multiple contracts, ensuring specifications, staffing arrangements, service levels and client commitments are consistently achieved.
• Maintain strong relationships with key clients, attending contract reviews and taking responsibility for escalated operational concerns and risks.
• Identify opportunities to improve contract performance, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Lead new contract mobilisations, coordinating staffing, equipment, training, site documentation and client communication.
• Monitor operational resilience across regions, including absence cover, supervisory capacity and reactive service requirements.
• Review contract budgets, gross margins and financial forecasts alongside the Managing Director and Finance team.
• Investigate financial variances and implement improvements without compromising agreed service standards.
• Monitor and control labour hours, overtime, agency expenditure, supplies and equipment costs.
• Ensure accurate attendance records, payroll information and operational data are maintained and submitted within agreed timescales.
• Review contract profitability, pricing, renewals and scope changes to maintain commercially sustainable service delivery.
• Ensure additional works are appropriately agreed, costed and charged.
• Support accurate invoicing and the resolution of client disputes, working with Finance to protect cash collection.
• Maintain consistently high cleaning and hygiene standards through planned site visits, operational audits, client feedback and timely corrective actions.
• Oversee divisional training plans, ensuring colleagues receive appropriate induction, cleaning methods, equipment training, safe working practices and site-specific guidance.
• Support the development of Contract Managers and Supervisors, strengthening their leadership, operational management and performance capabilities.
• Work collaboratively with HR and Health & Safety colleagues on recruitment, employee transfers, workforce matters, safe working practices and compliance requirements.
• Ensure appropriate site documentation, operational records and compliance information are maintained.
• Evaluate new equipment, cleaning products, technology and working methods to identify opportunities for improved productivity, quality and environmental performance.
• Introduce and evaluate operational improvements before wider implementation across the division.
• Represent Heb Cleaning & Hygiene at agreed client meetings and Heb Group management meetings.
• Deputise for the Managing Director when required, coordinating operational priorities and making decisions within delegated authority.
• Keep the Managing Director informed of divisional performance, significant risks and emerging opportunities.
• Support business continuity and contribute to the long-term development of the division.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required within the scope of the role.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Strong experience within the commercial contract cleaning industry, with a sound understanding of service delivery, cleaning methods, hygiene requirements and the challenges of managing geographically dispersed teams.
• Proven experience leading Contract Managers or equivalent operational management teams across a portfolio of contracts.
• Demonstrable experience winning and developing profitable business, including hands-on involvement in bid writing, site surveys, costing, negotiations and contract mobilisation.
• Strong commercial judgement, with the ability to interpret budgets, margins and operational performance data to make informed business decisions.
• A practical, commercially focused approach to developing services and entering new geographical markets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to build client relationships, deliver presentations and develop professional proposals.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to coach colleagues, manage performance and resolve operational challenges.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Confidence using business systems for pipeline management, operational reporting, audits, attendance monitoring and training records.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly across the North of England.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

• Experience delivering cleaning services within education, housing, events or specialist cleaning environments.
• Experience developing and managing regional cleaning operations.
• Knowledge of relevant cleaning industry standards and professional accreditation schemes, including BICSc.
• Experience working within wider facilities management environments.

• Join an established business with over 100 years of history.
• Take on a senior leadership position within our growing Cleaning & Hygiene division.
• Play a key role in shaping the future growth and development of the division across the North of England.
• Work closely with the Managing Director and wider Heb Group leadership team.
• Lead and develop experienced operational teams, supporting the delivery of high-quality cleaning services.
• Build and strengthen relationships with clients across a diverse range of sectors.
• Contribute to the development of new services, markets and business opportunities.
• Opportunities for continued professional development and career progression.
• Collaborative, people-focused working environment.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

If you are looking to join a growing, people-focused business where safety, quality and customer service are genuinely valued, we would love to hear from you. Please click the Apply Now button below to start our simple application process.

Heb Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experience levels.