Sales & Operations Director

Sales & Operations Director: Recruitment Growth & Managed Services

Location: East Midlands  |  Availability: Available for confidential discussions  |  Sector Expertise: Industrial Recruitment, Driving Recruitment, Managed Services, National Accounts, Business Development, Sales Leadership & Recruitment Operations

Over 15 years of Director-level recruitment leadership across nationally recognised organisations. Proven record of winning major PSL agreements, national contracts, and managed service opportunities. Full P&L accountability with experience scaling multi-branch recruitment operations. Specialist expertise across industrial, driving, managed services, and volume recruitment environments. Available now for confidential discussions on senior sales, operations, or commercial leadership roles.

Senior Recruitment Leader Profile & Expertise

This candidate is an accomplished recruitment leader with over 15 years of experience driving sales growth, operational performance, and strategic expansion across multi-branch recruitment businesses. The candidate has operated at Director level for several nationally recognised recruitment organisations, combining exceptional business development capability with proven leadership of large-scale recruitment operations.

Renowned for winning major contracts, securing PSL agreements, building high-performing sales cultures, and delivering profitable growth, this candidate brings a unique blend of strategic leadership, commercial acumen, and hands-on recruitment expertise. Their experience spans industrial, driving, managed services, and volume recruitment environments, with responsibility for national sales performance, business growth strategies, and operational excellence.

At The Job Office Ltd, we represent senior recruitment professionals of this calibre on a confidential basis, drawing on 40+ years of industry experience to match exceptional leaders with the right organisations.

What does this candidate's recruitment sales expertise include?

This candidate's recruitment sales expertise covers national business development, PSL acquisition, tender management and bid writing, strategic account management, contract negotiation, and revenue growth strategy. The candidate has led customer acquisition programmes and large account development at a national level, consistently expanding market share for multi-branch recruitment businesses.

Recruitment Sales Leadership National Business Development Managed Services Strategic Account Management Tender Management & Bid Writing PSL Acquisition Volume Recruitment Industrial & Driving Recruitment Contract Negotiation Revenue Growth Strategies Sales Training & Development Client Retention & Growth

What operational management experience does this candidate hold?

This candidate's operational management experience includes multi-branch leadership, national operational oversight, process improvement, performance management, budget ownership, forecasting, profitability management, compliance, and governance. The candidate has held full P&L accountability across complex, multi-site recruitment businesses operating at national scale.

Multi-Branch Leadership National Operational Oversight Process Improvement Initiatives Performance Management Budget Ownership Forecasting and Profitability Management Compliance and Governance Workforce Planning

Career Highlights & Achievements

This candidate has held senior leadership positions including Sales Director, Sales & Development Director, Head of Major Accounts, National Strategic Sales Manager, and Sales & Operations Director across multiple national recruitment organisations. Each role carried direct responsibility for driving growth strategies, increasing profitability, and developing nationwide business opportunities.

How has this candidate delivered major contract and tender success?

This candidate delivers major contract wins by leading end-to-end national tender submissions, from initial bid strategy through to final presentation. The process involves identifying target accounts, building custom-built value propositions aligned to procurement requirements, and leading senior-level negotiations. This structured approach has secured preferred supplier status and long-term managed service contracts with major national clients.

Led national tender submissions and client presentations at Director level. Secured major PSL agreements and preferred supplier contracts. Delivered large-scale managed service opportunities from initial pitch to implementation. Developed significant revenue pipelines and long-term client partnerships. Led negotiations with major national clients and procurement functions.

How does this candidate build high-performing sales cultures?

This candidate builds high-performing sales cultures by first diagnosing underperformance at the individual and team level, then implementing structured coaching frameworks, clear KPI accountability, and custom development plans. Rather than relying on generic training, the candidate designs role-specific sales programmes that address the precise skills gaps limiting revenue growth. This approach produces sustained performance improvement rather than short-term activity spikes.

Building and developing new sales functions from the ground up. Delivering sustained revenue growth across multi-branch operations. Improving branch profitability through targeted performance management. Increasing market penetration via structured customer acquisition programmes. Creating scalable growth strategies aligned to business planning cycles. Expanding national customer portfolios through strategic account development.

What training and development programmes has this candidate designed?

This candidate has designed and delivered recruitment training programmes, sales development frameworks, onboarding programmes, coaching and mentoring initiatives, leadership development support, and performance improvement plans. The candidate approaches training as a structured business function, not an ad hoc activity, ensuring every programme ties directly to measurable commercial outcomes.

Recruitment training programmes Sales development frameworks Onboarding programmes Coaching and mentoring initiatives Leadership development support Performance improvement plans

Sector Experience & Commercial Strengths

This candidate brings strong recruitment and workforce expertise across a range of high-volume, operationally complex sectors. According to the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC), industrial and driving recruitment consistently rank among the most operationally demanding sectors in UK staffing, requiring leaders who combine commercial rigour with deep operational knowledge. This candidate meets both criteria.

Sector experience includes:

Industrial Recruitment Driving & Logistics Recruitment Managed Services Onsite Recruitment Volume Workforce Provision Apprenticeship Recruitment National Account Management Training Services

Commercial strengths include:

P&L Accountability Budget Management Tender Strategy Margin Analysis Sales Forecasting Pricing Strategy Contract Negotiation Stakeholder Engagement Business Planning Change Management

What This Candidate Offers Senior Recruitment Businesses

This candidate offers a powerful combination of recruitment leadership, sales excellence, and operational expertise. With extensive experience leading national recruitment functions and delivering significant business growth, the candidate suits organisations seeking a senior leader capable of driving revenue, developing teams, and scaling recruitment operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific experience does this candidate have with recruitment technology implementation?

This candidate possesses significant experience in evaluating, selecting, and integrating recruitment technology platforms to enhance operational efficiency and sales performance. They have successfully overseen the adoption of new CRM systems, applicant tracking systems, and data analytics tools across multi-site operations, ensuring seamless transitions and improved user engagement for large teams.

How does this candidate approach talent development within recruitment sales teams?

The candidate prioritises structured talent development through comprehensive training programmes, mentorship initiatives, and performance coaching. They focus on cultivating a high-performance culture by identifying individual strengths, providing continuous professional development, and establishing clear career progression paths for sales and operational staff within recruitment businesses.

Can this candidate demonstrate experience in managing international recruitment operations?

While primarily focused on national operations, this candidate has experience with cross-border recruitment projects and understanding international compliance requirements. Their expertise extends to adapting operational models for diverse regulatory environments and managing remote teams, ensuring consistent service delivery and adherence to global best practices.

What is this candidate's approach to managing and mitigating recruitment market risks?

This candidate employs a proactive risk management strategy, including continuous market analysis, scenario planning, and diversification of service offerings. They are adept at identifying emerging trends, assessing potential impacts on P&L, and implementing contingency plans to safeguard business continuity and profitability during economic fluctuations or sector-specific challenges.

How does this candidate ensure compliance and ethical standards across recruitment operations?

The candidate maintains rigorous compliance by establishing robust internal policies, conducting regular audits, and staying updated on all relevant employment legislation and industry regulations. They champion an ethical culture, ensuring all operational practices adhere to legal frameworks and professional standards, particularly concerning data protection and fair recruitment processes.

Speak to The Job Office Ltd About This Candidate

This candidate is Available now for confidential discussions regarding senior recruitment leadership, sales leadership, operational management, managed services, and commercial growth opportunities. If your business needs a proven Director-level recruitment leader in the East Midlands or nationally, contact The Job Office Ltd to arrange a confidential conversation.

Candidate identity and personal details have been anonymised to protect confidentiality.

About the Author

With 40+ years in recruitment and 20+ years as a Rec2Rec specialist, Jamie Rafferty brings deep industry knowledge and a UK-wide network. Starting as a trainee consultant in 1983, Jamie has held roles from branch manager to MD. Today Jamie partners with agencies to secure top recruitment talent, guided by honest advice, trust, and relationships built over four decades.