About Distinct
Distinct is a B Corp certified facilities management company specialising in luxury retail and corporate environments across the UK. We are trusted by some of the world’s most exclusive brands — including Louis Vuitton, Prada, Burberry, Cartier, Christian Dior, and Armani — to protect their spaces, their materials, and their brand experience.
Our services span contract cleaning, waste management, washroom hygiene, consumable supply, pest management, and more — all delivered with an unwavering commitment to sustainability and luxury standards. Learn more at distinctgroup.com.
The Role
We’re looking for an experienced Cleaning Operations Manager to take ownership of operational delivery, team leadership, and client satisfaction across our London portfolio — spanning luxury retail, corporate offices, and key flagship stores. You’ll translate strategy into daily reality: ensuring supervisors and managers are effective, sites are well run, systems are used correctly, and every client experiences a consistently high, luxury-level standard of service.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Delivery
- Own the operational performance of all contracts and sites across the London portfolio
- Ensure cleaning and facilities standards consistently meet luxury brand expectations
- Implement and enforce Distinct standard operating procedures on every site
- Plan and oversee daily, weekly, and monthly visit schedules across all sites
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead and manage Area / Operations Managers, Supervisors, and mobile / specialist teams
- Clarify roles and responsibilities so every manager and supervisor knows exactly what is expected
- Coach supervisors and managers on visit planning, client communication, staff management, and system usage
- Identify performance gaps and work with HR to deliver targeted training
- Support formal performance management in coordination with HR and the Head of Operations
Client Relationships & Escalation Management
- Act as the senior operational contact for key London clients, particularly luxury retail and high-profile sites
- Conduct regular client review meetings with performance updates for London contracts
- Build proactive relationships with store managers, FM managers, and client contacts
- Lead on operational escalations: respond quickly, investigate issues, and put corrective actions in place
Systems, Admin & Process
- Ensure managers and supervisors are fully competent in CMS, Timegate, work bills, and ordering processes
- Reduce dependency on central admin by enforcing local ownership of failed duties, approvals, and reporting
- Monitor that admin tasks are completed daily and do not accumulate
Compliance, Health & Safety & Quality
- Ensure all sites meet Health & Safety, COSHH, and RAMS compliance requirements
- Conduct planned and surprise site audits to check standards, documentation, and team engagement
- Investigate incidents, accidents, or major complaints and ensure robust follow-up actions
Workforce & Recruitment Support
- Work with the Head of People to ensure vacancies are flagged early and new starters are onboarded properly
- Ensure supervisors can support team members with benefits queries, HR processes, and wage questions
Mobile & Specialist Services
- Coordinate scheduling and quality checks for mobile team services within London (deep cleans, carpet cleaning, window cleaning)
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience as an Operations Manager in facilities management, cleaning, or a multi-site service environment
- Comfortable managing large, complex portfolios with multiple stakeholders — ideally in luxury retail or high-end environments
- Strong people leadership skills with experience managing managers and supervisors
- Confident with operational systems including time & attendance, scheduling, CMS, and reporting tools
- Excellent organisational skills — able to prioritise across many sites and issues in a busy London operation
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills with clients and internal teams
- Solid understanding of Health & Safety, COSHH, and operational compliance
- Commercially aware with a good understanding of labour budgets and overtime management
The Kind of Person We’re Looking For
- Calm, professional, and solutions-focused under pressure
- A hands-on leader who is visible on sites and leads by example
- High attention to detail — especially in presentation and luxury environments
- An honest, transparent communicator who builds trust with teams and clients
- Strong sense of ownership — takes end-to-end responsibility for London performance
- Resilient and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
Why Join Distinct?
- Competitive salary — dependent on experience
- B Corp certified — recognised for high standards of social and environmental performance
- World-class clients — work with some of the most prestigious luxury brands in the world
- Career growth — we promote from within and support people at every stage of their career
- Employee wellbeing — private healthcare, mental health support, and flexible financial tools
- Sustainability-led — chemical-free cleaning, electric delivery fleet, and zero-to-landfill waste partnerships
Pay: From £40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Private medical insurance
Experience:
- Cleaning: 5 years (required)
- Facilities management: 3 years (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
