General Manager - NSL & OBM (Job ID: 1869)
Company: ASCO UK Limited
Employment Type: Full Time/Permanent
Location: Aberdeen
We are currently seeking an experienced General Manager to provide strategic, operational, and commercial leadership across two distinct business units. NSL, a lifting and technical consultancy, and OBM, a specialist recruitment agency. This is a senior leadership role within ASCO with full accountability for performance, safety, service delivery, people leadership, and financial control.
The postholder will define and execute the growth strategy for both businesses while driving operational excellence, enhancing customer value, and developing high-performing teams. Reporting to the Managing Director of Integrated Services, this position plays a key role in achieving ASCO’s strategic goals and ensuring the sustainable success of both brands in the UK and international markets. Key accountabilities include:
Strategic Leadership
•Set and deliver the strategic direction for NSL and OBM in line with ASCO’s group objectives.
•Shape and implement business plans, growth strategies, and long-term capability development across lifting consultancy and recruitment.
•Champion innovation, market responsiveness, and diversification into new sectors and geographies.
Commercial & Financial Performance
•Own the P&L for both NSL and OBM. Set and manage budgets, forecasts, and commercial targets.
•Oversee commercial negotiations, pricing models, bid development, and client retention strategies.
•Drive revenue growth while ensuring cost efficiency, robust financial control, and maximised EBITDA contribution.
Operational Oversight
•Ensure safe, effective, and compliant delivery of lifting services, technical consultancy, and recruitment operations across all sites.
•Embed consistent operating standards, systems, and KPIs to support high-performance execution and client satisfaction.
•Lead the adoption of new technologies and digital tools to improve performance, efficiency, and reporting.
Customer & Stakeholder Management
•Act as the senior point of contact for key clients and stakeholders.
•Build and maintain long-term relationships to drive customer retention and growth.
•Ensure the service offer evolves to meet client and market needs across both businesses.
People Leadership & Culture
•Build and lead strong, empowered teams in both NSL and OBM, ensuring clarity of roles and expectations.
•Develop succession plans, talent strategies, and training pathways aligned with business goals.
•Promote a culture of performance, safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Compliance & HSSEQ
•Ensure full compliance with all internal standards, legislative requirements, and industry codes for lifting operations, personnel provision, and recruitment.
•Lead proactive engagement with HSSEQ policies and practices, fostering a culture of safety-first leadership across both businesses.
•Own and report on HSSEQ performance indicators, audits, and assurance activities.
Group Collaboration
•Work closely with ASCO’s leadership, functional heads, and subject matter experts to align business unit activities with Group strategy and integrated services.
•Support cross-functional initiatives and contribute to the broader strategic objectives of the company.
Minimum Competencies (Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours)
•Senior leadership experience in general management or operations within lifting, engineering, or recruitment sectors.
•In-depth knowledge of lifting consultancy, technical training, compliance, and inspection services.
•Familiarity with recruitment and contractor workforce solutions.
•Proven success in driving growth, managing P&L, and leading business transformation.
•Strong commercial acumen including pricing strategy, bid development, contract management, and client negotiation.
•Experience leading diverse, multi-site and cross-functional teams.
•Skilled in coaching, performance management, and developing future leaders.
•Confident communicator and influencer with board-level stakeholder engagement.
•Proven ability to drive operational efficiency and deliver service transformation.
•Experienced in implementing systems, controls, and performance frameworks.
•Strong track record in navigating matrix structures and aligning with wider business initiatives.
•Expertise in key account management and client relationship development.
•Skilled in negotiation and conflict resolution.
Minimum Qualifications
•Honours degree in business, engineering, HR, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
Desirable Qualifications
•Recognised leadership or business qualification
•NEBOSH, IOSH Managing Safely, or equivalent
As you would expect from a highly progressive company, an attractive remuneration package is available to the successful applicant. When applying, your CV should include your current/most recent employment, which clearly demonstrates examples of the skills and behaviours required for the above role.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I)
ASCO is committed to supporting and promoting Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I). This commitment is embraced by our Group Board and our Management Board and informs all of our activities and their impact on our customers, employees and our stakeholders.
