Managing Director

Sitka Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a well-established and highly successful Welsh business, headquartered in South Wales, with the appointment of a new Managing Director.

With a turnover of approximately £10m and a workforce of around 200 employees, this multi-site organisation is entering an exciting new phase and requires a commercially minded and operationally strong leader to guide the business forward.

We are looking for an experienced operational leader with a strong retail and/or leisure background, alongside a naturally commercial approach and strong sales awareness.

This role requires a seasoned and resilient individual, someone who is comfortable operating within a busy, fast-paced environment and leading from the front. The focus is not necessarily on exponential growth, but rather on ensuring the business operates as effectively and successfully as possible, whilst maintaining a positive and engaged workforce.

The successful individual will be given the autonomy to lead the business in their own way, with the owner remaining available to share knowledge and provide support whilst focusing on the development of other ventures.

The Job

• Reporting to the Board, the Managing Director will take full responsibility for business performance, strategic growth and operational delivery across the organisation. This is a broad leadership role requiring a visible and hands-on approach, balancing commercial growth with customer experience, people leadership and operational excellence.

• You will lead the development and delivery of the company strategy, identify opportunities for growth and improvement, drive financial performance and ensure the business continues to evolve within a competitive and fast-moving sector.

• The role will oversee all operational areas, ensuring high standards across customer service, employee engagement, compliance and overall business performance.

The Person Specification

• It is essential that you are an experienced senior leader with a proven track record operating at Managing Director, Commercial Director, Operations Director or equivalent level within a retail, hospitality, leisure or multi-site consumer-led environment.

• You will demonstrate strong commercial acumen, operational capability and experience managing full P&L responsibility within a sizeable business. Equally important is the ability to lead and inspire people, build high-performing teams and create a positive and accountable culture.

• You will be a strategic thinker with a practical and hands-on approach, capable of balancing long-term planning with day-to-day operational leadership. Strong stakeholder management skills, resilience and the ability to navigate change effectively will be essential.

Salary & Benefits

• Basic salary circa £75,000 - £90,000 depending on experience

• Performance related bonus of up to 20%

• Pension contribution

• Car allowance/company vehicle

• Additional executive benefits package