Freelance Operations Director
Location: Hybrid (3 days onsite / 2 days remote)
Contract: Freelance (2-year contract)
Start Date: Mid-September
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced Freelance Operations Director to lead a large-scale transport operation. This is a senior leadership position responsible for driving operational performance, managing multiple teams, and making commercially sound decisions while working closely with suppliers and key stakeholders.
With strong support from the business and a clear hiring timeline, this is an opportunity to make an immediate impact within a fast-paced international environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple operational functions.
- Lead and develop a team of approximately 60 employees.
- Ensure safe, efficient, and high-performing day-to-day operations.
- Drive operational improvements and performance management across all teams.
- Produce clear operational reporting and present insights to senior stakeholders.
- Build strong relationships across the business through excellent communication and stakeholder management.
- Work closely with suppliers, taking ownership of commercial discussions and operational agreements.
- Make confident, data-driven decisions in a fast-moving operational environment.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives and deliver operational excellence.
Requirements
Essential
- Significant leadership experience within operations management.
- Proven experience managing large, multi-disciplinary operational teams.
- Strong people management and leadership skills.
- Excellent reporting, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.
- A commercial mindset with experience negotiating or working with suppliers.
- Ability to make informed decisions in a complex operational environment.
- Fluent in Dutch and English.
Highly Desirable
- Experience within the railway or rail transport industry.
- Experience managing certified operational environments or teams requiring compliance/certification.
- German language skills.
- Italian language skills.