Operations Director – New Build Residential (SME / St Andrews)

Location: St Andrews, Fife (Managing projects across Fife & the East Neuk) Salary: £100,000 – £110,000 (Dependent on experience) + Performance Bonus + Executive Car Allowance Position: Full-time, PermanentAbout Us We are an agile, privately-owned SME residential developer specialising in high-end new build developments.

Operating within the highly sought-after St Andrews town, we focus on architectural excellence, premium build quality, and sustainable low-carbon construction embedded within our customer centric culture. Rather than chasing high volume, we maintain complete focus on 1 to 2 concurrent, high-value developments at any one time, heavily utilizing Design & Build (D&B) procurement routes. Our upcoming pipeline features complex, mixed-tenure schemes incorporating premium apartments, detached executive homes, and high-spec semi-detached and terraced family housing. To lead our delivery arm, we are seeking a commercially sharp and technically gifted Operations Director.The RoleReporting directly to the Managing Director, you will take total operational ownership of each project lifecycle. In a lean SME structure, this is a highly visible, hands-on executive role. You will personally steer projects through the critical pre-construction phase—collaborating with architects, engineers, and planners to coordinate diverse build types—and seamlessly transition them onto site through to final handover. You will act as the operational engine of the business, protecting profit margins, mitigating risk, delivering a first-class customer experience. Key Responsibilities Pre-Construction & D&B CoordinationDesign & Build Management: In conjunction with the Managing Director, Lead the pre-construction phase for all D&B contracts, managing relationships with external design teams and planning consultants across diverse bespoke product styles (apartment buildings and low-rise housing).Value Engineering & Compliance: Coordinate and review Employer’s Requirements (ERs) with Contractor’s Proposals (CPs) to identify buildability enhancements, delivery efficiencies without compromising on premium, multi-product finishes, and customer expectations.Planning & Regulatory Oversight: In conjunction with the Managing Director, lead the discharge of planning conditions with the planning authority, ensuring full compliance with Scottish Building Standards, NHBC warranty provider and, section agreements.Procurement Strategy: In conjunction with commercial colleagues, assemble sub-contractor tender packages, secure long-lead sustainable materials, and establish fixed-price commercial stability early.Site Execution & Operational DeliveryOn-Site Leadership: Direct, mentor, and hold accountable the Site Management teams across our active developments, ensuring build programmes hit rigid critical paths across varying construction methodologies.Supply Chain Control: Leverage and expand a high-quality, reliable network of localized sub-contractors across Fife, Tayside, and the Central Belt who are experienced in both apartment and low-rise residential housing developments.Health & Safety: Act as the ultimate custodian for Health & Safety, ensuring absolute compliance with CDM 2015 regulations on all sites.Quality Assurance: Conduct strict, regular site inspections to ensure our impeccable standards for premium, luxury finishes are consistently met across all archetypes with working knowledge of NHBC Technical Standards delivering award winning developments.About YouThis role requires a practical, visible leader who is entirely comfortable balancing high-level commercial strategy with hands-on problem solving on site.Sector Track Record: Proven experience as a Construction Director, Operations Director, or high-performing Senior Contracts/Project Manager within the UK new build residential sector (Scottish market experience is highly advantageous).Multi-Product Experience: A strong background delivering a diverse asset mix, including multi-storey apartments as well as standard detached, semi-detached, and terraced housing.D&B Expertise: Exceptional technical knowledge of design and buildability alongside Design & Build procurement, pre-construction workflows, risk matrices, and design coordination.SME Adaptability: Previous experience working inside a lean, regional developer where you successfully managed a small pipeline of high-value sites with complete autonomy.Local Network: An established, active relationship with the sub-contractor supply chain across the East of Scotland (Fife, Dundee/Tayside, Edinburgh/Lothians).

Qualifications

A degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or Quantity Surveying is preferred. Professional MCIOB or RICS accreditation is a distinct advantage. However, consideration will be given to individuals who can demonstrate the desired passion, drive and willingness to learn.What We OfferCompetitive base salary with a lucrative project-led bonus structure tied directly to business and development KPI’s being achieved.Executive car allowance. Direct, unbureaucratic communication lines to the business owner, giving you a true voice in the growth and direction of the company.Private healthcare, pension, and flexible holiday package.