We are seeking an experienced Global Operations Director to join NQA.

The Global Operations Director will lead, manage, and continually improve the activities relating to customer experience, operational and technical activities within NQA UK, NQA India, EMEA agents and other Kiwa offices utilising NQA UK’s accreditations.

NQA provides accredited certification, training and support services to help customers improve processes, performance and products and services. We have issued over 50,000 certificates to clients in over 90 countries resulting in a yearly revenue of around 100 million Euro. NQA was acquired by Kiwa in 2024, a global leader in the Testing, Inspecting and Certification (TIC) sector, based in the Netherlands. The Global Operations Director plays a pivotal role in ensuring NQA delivers its operational, financial and regulatory objectives. Within the role, you will lead in delivering NQA’s continuing cultural journey to excellence in client experience and process delivery. Identifying opportunities for process enhancements and efficiencies, implementing best practices to streamline operations. This role requires a strong customer focus to deal on a day-to-day basis with external and internal customers, suppliers and key partners.
Overview:

• Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with business, accreditation, and growth objectives
• Lead delivery of NQA’s core goals including audit performance, technical outputs, client experience, and EBITDA
• Foster a high-performance, solution-driven operational culture across teams
• Ensure effective cross-functional collaboration and day-to-day workflow management
• Monitor accreditation performance and ensure compliance with standards (e.g. ISO 17021, GDPR)
• Manage operational budgets and support continuous forecasting for resource planning
• Represent NQA at industry events, client meetings, and technical committees
• Drive customer focus, operational excellence, and continuous improvement across the UK operation
• Oversee key client accounts to ensure satisfaction, retention, and profitability
• Develop and expand remote technical review capabilities to support global delivery from India
• Support global harmonisation of processes across Kiwa Business Assurance, including use of UK accreditations
• Coordinate accredited service delivery for Kiwa offices worldwide, ensuring regulatory compliance and timely execution
• Ensure intercompany processes (including transfer pricing) align with financial and accreditation requirements
• Liaise with senior leadership to align UK and global initiatives with broader business strategy
• Contribute to M&A activity, due diligence, and integration when required
• Identify and support strategic partnerships and global growth opportunities

a full Job Description is available on request.

Responsabilities:

Key Skills & Attributes:

• Exceptional personal integrity
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate teams across NQA/Kiwa
• Passionate about their field of expertise
• Highly motivated, target-driven, and well-organised with strong attention to detail
• Excellent presentation and communication skills across a range of formats
• Effective time management, able to prioritise workload and meet tight deadlines with minimal supervision
• Proven ability to operate and influence at executive level
• Experience consulting, presenting, and engaging with senior stakeholders
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a collaborative working style
• Proficient in MS Office applications (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook) and Business ERP systems

Experience:

• Strategic planning and implementation at a leadership level
• Leading teams and working at senior management level
• Operational leadership in a high-volume service environment
• Working within regulated industries, particularly the certification sector, in operational or technical roles
• Strong understanding of accreditation processes and national/international quality infrastructure
• Experience with management systems certification (e.g. ISO 17021 or equivalent)
• Proven ability to manage customer relationships in regulated environments
• Skilled in building effective relationships internally, externally, and internationally

Education, Licences & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience
• Desirable: Master’s degree in business, strategy, or equivalent (e.g. MBA)

Qualifications:

• Company Car
• Generous Annual Leave – Starting at 25 days plus Bank Holidays & Christmas Shutdown (3 days), increased entitlement with length of service
• 35 hours per week – Monday to Friday
• Private Medical Insurance
• Enhanced Family Leave – Enhanced maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave with 6 months full pay, plus 3 weeks full pay for paternity leave
• Long service rewards
• Salary Reviews
• Enhanced Pension Contributions
• Life Assurance – 4x your annual salary
• Cycle Loan Scheme
• Electric Power Point Loan
• Free eye tests and contribution towards glasses
• Welcome Pack – Filled with company-branded goodies to kickstart your journey with us

At Kiwa, we deliver results driven by our core values: Ambitious, Reliable, and Engaged the principles that guide how we work with colleagues, customers, and everyone we encounter. We are committed to fostering personal development, encouraging you to be ambitious, explore new ideas, and contribute to making the world a safer, more sustainable place. Here, you’ll thrive in a dynamic environment with ample opportunities for growth and self-development.

As an equal opportunity employer, Kiwa celebrates diversity and is dedicated to building an inclusive, supportive workplace. We embrace flexibility in hiring talented individuals from all backgrounds globally, ensuring a work environment free from prejudice, discrimination, and intimidation. Inclusivity and equality are core to who we are, and we uphold these values without exception.

If you have any questions about this role and would like to speak a member of the Talent Team, please e-mail us at uk.careers@kiwa.com