Please note: this is an operating role running a self-delivered grounds, vegetation and environmental maintenance contracting business with a directly employed field workforce. It is not a sustainability, ESG, consultancy or engineering role.
Executive Summary
Our client is seeking an exceptional Managing Director to lead and accelerate the growth of its Environmental Services Division.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a strategically important business within one of the UK’s fastest-growing technology-enabled property services organisations.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Managing Director will take full responsibility for the strategic direction, commercial performance, operational excellence and long-term development of the Environmental Division.
This appointment is about creating a market-leading business that combines outstanding customer service, operational excellence, innovation and sustainable growth.
The successful candidate will possess the commercial acumen to drive profitability, the leadership capability to inspire high-performing teams and the strategic vision to identify new opportunities within a rapidly evolving marketplace.
The Opportunity
The Managing Director – Environmental will play a pivotal role in shaping both the future of the Environmental Division and the wider group.
This is not simply an operational leadership position.
The successful individual will be expected to think strategically, challenge conventional approaches and build a scalable business capable of delivering sustained commercial success whilst maintaining exceptional operational standards.
Working closely with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team, the Managing Director will influence strategic direction, identify growth opportunities, support acquisition activity and create a culture focused on innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.
Purpose of the Role
To provide strategic, commercial and operational leadership for the business's Environmental Services Division, delivering sustainable growth, exceptional customer outcomes and industry-leading operational performance.
The Managing Director will be accountable for all aspects of divisional performance, including profitability, customer retention, operational delivery, people leadership, innovation and long-term value creation.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
• Develop and execute the long-term strategy for the Environmental Division.
• Identify new markets, sectors and service opportunities.
• Create scalable operating models capable of supporting continued national growth.
• Translate strategic objectives into measurable operational plans.
• Contribute to the wider strategic direction of the group
Commercial Leadership
• Hold full P&L responsibility for the division.
• Deliver profitable revenue growth whilst improving EBITDA performance.
• Drive commercial discipline throughout the business.
• Identify opportunities for service diversification and market expansion.
• Lead contract negotiations and support strategic client development.
• Evaluate acquisition opportunities and participate in due diligence and integration programmes.
Operational Excellence
• Lead a national operational business delivering environmental services across multiple client sectors.
• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality services.
• Develop robust governance, KPI reporting and operational controls.
• Improve efficiency through technology, automation and data-led decision-making.
• Promote continuous improvement throughout all operational activities.
• Ensure resources are effectively deployed to maximise productivity and profitability.
Customer Leadership
• Develop long-term strategic relationships with key customers.
• Ensure consistently high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Support business development activity alongside commercial teams.
• Drive contract retention and identify opportunities for additional services.
• Represent at executive-level customer meetings and industry events.
Leadership & People
• Build, mentor and develop a high-performing leadership team.
• Promote a culture of accountability, innovation and collaboration.
• Develop succession planning across key operational functions.
• Attract and retain exceptional leadership talent. Inspire teams through visible, authentic leadership.
Technology & Innovation
• Champion technology-enabled service delivery.
• Encourage innovation across operational processes.
• Leverage data and performance analytics to improve decision-making.
• Support continuous investment in digital platforms and operational systems.
• Drive operational transformation initiatives across the division.
Governance, Compliance & Risk
• Ensure full compliance with statutory, contractual and regulatory obligations.
• Promote best practice in Health & Safety and environmental compliance.
• Manage operational and commercial risk effectively.
• Protect and enhance reputation through strong governance and ethical leadership.
First Twelve Months
Success in this role is likely to include developing a clear strategic growth plan for the Environmental Division, strengthening operational consistency and governance, improving financial performance and profitability, identifying new revenue opportunities and service lines, building a stronger senior leadership structure, supporting acquisition and integration activity where appropriate, improving customer retention and service excellence, and embedding technology and innovation throughout operational delivery.
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate is likely to have held positions such as Managing Director, Divisional Managing Director, Business Unit Director, Regional Managing Director, Operations Director, or Commercial Director with full operational accountability.
They are likely to have operated within organisations across environmental services, grounds maintenance, waste and recycling, industrial services, external maintenance, infrastructure, utilities, property services or facilities management.
Experience Required
• Significant executive leadership experience within service-led operational businesses.
• Full P&L responsibility for a substantial business unit or division.
• Experience leading large, geographically dispersed operational teams.
• Strong commercial and financial management capability.
• Proven ability to deliver profitable growth.
• Experience building and developing senior leadership teams.
• Excellent client relationship management skills.
• Track record of business transformation and operational improvement.
• Experience within Private Equity-backed businesses would be advantageous.
• Exposure to acquisition-led growth and business integration is highly desirable.
Leadership Competencies
The successful individual will demonstrate strategic thinking and commercial judgement, an entrepreneurial mindset, intellectual curiosity, innovation, strong financial acumen, exceptional leadership capability, resilience, adaptability, excellent communication and influencing skills, a collaborative leadership style, decisive decision-making and an absolute commitment to customer excellence.
For a commercially driven executive seeking the opportunity to shape strategy, lead transformation and leave a lasting legacy, this represents an outstanding career opportunity.
For a confidential discussion and further information, please apply directly or contact us in confidence on 0207 118 4848, or send your CV to cv@maxwellstephens.com.
Interested in this role?
Apply in a couple of minutes with your CV. If your experience is a match, we will be in touch to talk it through in confidence.
