Managing Director

Job Overview

An established UK-based construction recruitment business is seeking an experienced Managing Director to take full ownership of its day-to-day operations and commercial performance.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer, allowing them to step back from daily operational responsibilities and focus on the longer-term strategy and growth of the business.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership role requiring substantial experience within construction or engineering recruitment, strong knowledge of the US staffing market, and a proven ability to lead and scale a recruitment business.

The position is office-based in Southeast London and is not available as a remote opportunity.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the daily management and operational performance of the business.
• Implement and drive a subscription-based recruitment model across new and existing clients.
• Review terms of business across the client portfolio and identify opportunities to increase client activity and revenue.
• Re-engage clients where favourable commercial terms are in place but limited or no business is currently being transacted.
• Develop hiring plans and ensure agreed strategies are translated into measurable action.
• Manage, mentor and develop the existing recruitment team.
• Build a strong senior management structure to support the continued growth of the business.
• Take ownership of profit and loss, budgets, revenue performance and operational targets.
• Ensure finder’s fee structures, placement terms and backdoor hiring clauses are consistently applied and enforced.
• Improve internal processes, accountability and management reporting.
• Support the development and performance of international recruitment operations, particularly within the United States.
• Work closely with senior stakeholders and the wider ownership group on business strategy and director-level decisions.

Candidate Requirements

Recruitment Sector Experience

Candidates must have senior leadership experience specifically within construction or engineering recruitment.

Applications from individuals with only general commercial, transformation or non-recruitment leadership experience will not be considered.

US Staffing Market Experience

Demonstrable experience within the US recruitment or staffing market is essential.

Candidates should understand US hiring practices, client expectations, recruitment operations and the commercial challenges associated with building or scaling a US staffing division.

Leadership Background

The successful candidate should have:

• Experience leading or scaling a recruitment business, division or specialist staffing operation.
• A strong background in startup, scale-up or entrepreneurial recruitment environments.
• Experience managing recruiters, billing teams and operational staff.
• Proven responsibility for commercial performance, budgets and profit and loss.
• Experience implementing recruitment strategies and ensuring they are executed successfully.
• Exposure to a business acquisition, buyout, merger or ownership transition would be advantageous.
• A track record of improving underperforming teams or international operations.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate must be:

• Personable, approachable and emotionally intelligent.
• Confident without being arrogant.
• Commercially focused and results-driven.
• Comfortable taking accountability for difficult decisions.
• Able to gain the trust and respect of a younger recruitment team.
• Hands-on and willing to remain close to the daily operations of the business.
• Capable of balancing strategic leadership with practical execution.
• Resilient, adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-moving recruitment environment.

Location

This is an office-based position in Southeast London.

Candidates must be able and willing to work on-site and should ideally be based within a reasonable commuting distance of Southeast London or Kent.

This position is not available on a remote or hybrid basis.

Right to Work

Candidates must already have the unrestricted right to work in the United Kingdom.

Visa sponsorship is not available.

Candidates currently based outside the UK may only be considered where they hold an appropriate UK or European passport and are fully committed to relocating.

Salary

£65,000 to £100,000 per annum, depending on experience, plus a performance-related bonus structure.

The top end of the salary range will be reserved for candidates with exceptional construction or engineering recruitment leadership experience and strong US staffing market exposure.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The strongest candidate will have previously led, grown or scaled a construction or engineering recruitment business and will be able to demonstrate meaningful experience within the US staffing market.

They will understand recruitment operations at desk, management and director level, and will be capable of taking full responsibility for commercial performance, team leadership, client strategy and operational delivery.

The appointment will be subject to final approval from the wider ownership group.