Managing Director

Managing Director - Fire Protection

Location: Essex, with travel as required

The Opportunity

An ambitious and expanding UK contractor is seeking an experienced Managing Director to lead its specialist fire protection business through its next phase of growth.

The business provides accredited passive fire protection, active fire systems and fire suppression services to facilities management providers, housing associations, public sector organisations and commercial clients. Holding BAFE and IFC accreditations, the business has strong foundations and an ambition to double revenue and significantly grow its workforce over the next three years.

Reporting to the Group Director, the Managing Director will have significant autonomy and full responsibility for the commercial and operational performance of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of P&L, margins, cash flow and overall financial performance.
• Develop and execute a commercial strategy to win new frameworks, contracts and long-term client relationships.
• Drive revenue growth while ensuring work is secured at the right margin and with strong contractual and payment terms.
• Maintain a strong focus on cash collection, working capital and payment discipline, ensuring profitable growth translates into cash.
• Control operational costs and resource effectively, ensuring the business delivers work as efficiently as possible without compromising quality or compliance.
• Lead and develop the Senior Leadership Team, creating a mature, accountable and high-performing management culture.
• Build and maintain relationships across FM, housing associations, local authorities, NHS estates and other key sectors.
• Identify opportunities to expand services, including passive fire remediation, fire stopping, maintenance and other emerging opportunities.
• Ensure continued compliance with BAFE, IFC, BS 9999 and wider industry requirements.
• Work with the Group Director on strategic initiatives, business improvement and potential acquisitions or expansion.

About You

We are looking for a commercially astute and mature business leader with a strong track record within the fire protection sector.

You will ideally have:

• 8+ years' experience within fire protection, covering passive, active, suppression or fire compliance.
• Proven experience managing a P&L and delivering profitable growth.
• A strong understanding of margins, cost control, cash flow, working capital and commercial risk.
• A demonstrable track record of winning profitable work, negotiating strong commercial and payment terms, and ensuring customers pay on time.
• The commercial drive to maximise sales and revenue while maintaining disciplined control of operational costs.
• Experience building and managing senior teams, with the maturity, resilience and leadership capability to manage an SLT effectively.
• Strong knowledge of BAFE, IFC, BS 9999 and the wider regulatory environment.
• Established relationships across FM, housing, public sector procurement or related markets.
• The ability to balance growth, profitability, cash generation, operational delivery and compliance.This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who understands that successful growth is not simply about selling more - it is about selling profitably, controlling costs, protecting margin and converting profit into cash.

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