Senior Operations Manager (Project-Based)

Job Purpose:

The Senior Operations Manager is responsible for contract-level governance, performance control, and strategic oversight of assigned contracts comprising multiple projects, ensuring alignment with contractual, financial, and operational objectives.

The role provides a structured control layer above Operations Managers, driving consistent execution through them, strengthening financial discipline, client alignment, and compliance with company standards and all applicable statutory, regulatory, local authority, and certified management system requirements across all projects, while safeguarding operational integrity and mitigating commercial, operational, and regulatory risks, without direct involvement in day-to-day site execution.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee multiple projects under a single contract through Operations Managers, ensuring alignment with contractual scope, KPIs, service standards, and financial targets.
• Standardize governance frameworks, performance expectations, and reporting structures across projects.
• Review and validate operational plans, manpower strategies, and cost structures; maintain consolidated performance visibility.
• Monitor overall financial performance including revenue, costs, and margins.
• Review payroll inputs and operational expenditures; validate financial assumptions and corrective actions.
• Act as the primary point of contact for client representatives, ensuring alignment between expectations and service delivery.
• Manage client concerns, drive timely resolution through Operations Managers, and serve as the first level of escalation.
• Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and management system requirements.
• Oversee audit readiness, corrective action closure, and risk identification and mitigation.
• Lead and guide Operations Managers to deliver performance and drive accountability for improvements.
• Oversee workforce planning, organizational alignment, and HR governance, ensuring consistency in employee relations and disciplinary practices.
• Validate reporting accuracy and performance submissions.
• Review performance evaluations, support leadership development, and drive succession planning.

Education & Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field (required)
• Master’s Degree or equivalent (advantage)
• Minimum 10–15 years of progressive experience within multi-site, operational, or contract-driven and compliance-driven environments, preferably in catering and food service.
• Of which, at least 5–7 years in a senior managerial role with direct accountability for contract governance, multi-project oversight, client relationship management, financial performance, and operational alignment.
• Comprehensive experience across contract lifecycle and operational governance.

Application Question(s):

• Do you hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field?
• Do you have experience in catering, food service, or a similarly compliance-driven industry?
• How many years of experience do you have managing multi-site or multi-project operations within a contract-driven environment?
• What level of financial responsibility have you held (e.g., P&L ownership, budget size, cost control)?
• Do you have experience with statutory, regulatory, or audit compliance across multiple locations?

Work Location: In person