Head of Operations – Scotland & The North - Aberdeen Based

About us

Dardan have a wealth of experience in delivering smart security solutions that go beyond safeguarding buildings, property, and staff. We combine the best in technology, mobile services, physical guarding, and consultancy.

We are a people-focused, privately owned specialist security company. We choose our employees carefully and value them greatly because we know our people are our greatest asset. We invest in their development and provide opportunities to build rewarding careers within the security industry.

A career with Dardan means joining an ACS Pacesetter and a company recognised by Infologue as “One to Watch.”

Our mission

Be ethical, be authentic, be agile and be smart.

We do our best and then do a little bit more, every time.

Our Vision

To be a trusted partner for Security solutions through intelligence, innovation, and influence.

Reward and Benefits

• £55,000–£60,000 per annum

• Car allowance £3120 per annum

• 45 hours per week

• 25 days’ annual leave, plus Bank Holidays

• Unlimited training and development opportunities

• Clear opportunities for career progression

• Recognition and reward programmes

• 24/7 employee wellbeing support

• Virtual GP service

• Recommend a Friend bonus scheme

The Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a strategically important and growing region within our business. The role is based full-time in Aberdeen, where you will be an integral part of the regional leadership team, while also undertaking travel to client sites across Scotland and the North of England to support operational delivery, client engagement and regional growth initiatives.

You will lead a diverse portfolio of security operations across Scotland and the North of England, with responsibility for operational performance, client relationships, people leadership, commercial delivery and continued regional growth.

Playing a key role in shaping the future operating model for the region, you will ensure we have the leadership capability, infrastructure and operational excellence required to support both our existing clients and ambitious growth plans.

Working closely with our Operations Manager, on-site Security Managers and Supervisors, you will lead and develop a high-performing regional management structure, creating a culture of accountability, engagement and continuous improvement.

This role requires more than maintaining existing standards. We are looking for a visible and hands-on leader who is comfortable being based in Aberdeen, while building strong relationships with clients and teams across the wider region through regular site visits. You will lead from the front, challenge constructively, identify opportunities and continuously raise the bar for our people, our clients and our business.

Your duties include (but are not limited to):

• Provide senior operational leadership across Dardan’s portfolio throughout Scotland and the North of England.

• Build strong, trusted and long-term relationships with clients, acting as a credible senior point of contact and strategic partner.

• Lead contract performance, ensuring contractual obligations, SLAs and KPIs are consistently achieved and opportunities for improvement are actively identified.

• Lead, coach and develop operational managers and site leadership teams, creating a culture of accountability, engagement and high performance.

• Take ownership of regional operational planning, workforce resilience, resource allocation and rostering, ensuring services are delivered effectively and commercially.

• Identify opportunities to improve service delivery, increase operational efficiency and support sustainable contract growth.

• Play an active role in new business opportunities, client presentations, tender activity, contract retention and strategic account development.

• Lead and support the mobilisation of new contracts, ensuring a structured, professional and seamless transition into operational delivery.

• Maintain strong commercial oversight of the regional portfolio, including budgets, forecasting, labour management, margin performance and cost control.

• Conduct regular site visits, operational reviews and audits, maintaining strong visibility and engagement across both our workforce and client base.

• Provide senior leadership during significant incidents, investigations and operational challenges, ensuring effective resolution and lessons learned.

• Ensure operations remain compliant with company standards, SIA requirements, health and safety legislation and wider industry best practice.

• Champion innovation and identify opportunities to use technology, data and new ways of working to strengthen our service proposition.

• Support the continued development of Dardan’s presence across Scotland and the North, identifying opportunities to strengthen our regional infrastructure and operating model.

• Champion Dardan’s people-first culture, ensuring diversity, inclusion, wellbeing and professional development remain central to how we lead our teams.

Full in-house training will be provided.

What We’re Looking For

You will be an established operational leader who is comfortable balancing people, clients, performance and commercial priorities across a complex multi-site portfolio.

You will bring:

• Proven senior operational leadership experience within the security, facilities management or wider outsourced services sector.

• Strong experience of leading geographically dispersed, multi-site operations and frontline management teams.

• A demonstrable ability to build trusted relationships with senior clients and stakeholders.

• Strong commercial acumen, including experience of budget management, forecasting, P&L performance and contract profitability.

• Experience of mobilising and developing complex contracts and implementing operational improvement programmes.

• A strong understanding of workforce planning, operational resilience and resource management.

• Knowledge of SIA requirements, health and safety legislation and incident management best practice.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the confidence to represent Dardan at senior client meetings, presentations and industry forums.

• Strong digital capability, including Microsoft Office and operational management systems.

• A full UK driving licence, right to work in the UK and a five-year checkable employment history.

Most importantly, you will be a visible, credible and engaging leader who enjoys being close to the operation, understands the importance of our people and has the ambition to help build something for the future.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equality

At Dardan, we are committed to building a workforce of talented, intuitive and ethical professionals. We achieve this by attracting and retaining people from diverse backgrounds and creating an inclusive environment for our employees and clients.

We recruit based on talent, skills and potential and continue to develop a culture where everyone is respected and valued. We believe diversity of thought, experience and perspective strengthens our business, encourages innovation and supports better collaboration.

We welcome applications from people who share our values and want to be part of a professional, supportive and forward-thinking security team.

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