Operations Manager UK

Why UK

The United Kingdom operates one of the most mature and commercially-driven safety training markets in the world, anchored around CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) and the universal CSCS card — the industry passport that gates access to virtually every construction site in the country. Beyond construction, the UK ecosystem is structured by a dense network of accreditation bodies: NEBOSH and IOSH for occupational health & safety, City & Guilds for vocational qualifications, IPAF for powered access, PASMA for mobile towers, and sector-specific schemes like UKATA for asbestos awareness.

The UK combines scale, regulatory rigor under the HSE (Health & Safety Executive), and one of Europe's most advanced temp agency markets — with Hays, Reed, and Randstad UK operating across construction, logistics, and industrial verticals. The CITB Levy system also creates a structural funding mechanism: construction employers contribute and reclaim against training spend, generating recurring demand across the sector.

It's a market with high digital maturity, English-language reach, strong B2B procurement culture, and a fragmented supply side dominated by traditional training providers with limited tech infrastructure. For Certalis, the UK offers a uniquely scalable entry point into the Anglo-Saxon world — a foundation for future expansion into Ireland and beyond, while leveraging a regulatory model that mirrors many of the structural drivers we've capitalized on in France.

Ireland and Scotland-specific schemes are not in initial scope (though CSCS extends nationally). The UK manager will define entry sequencing — likely Greater London and the South East first given site density and procurement maturity.

About Certalis

At Certalis, we are convinced that upskilling and safety training for field professionals have become critical.

AI will profoundly transform work, but it will not replace field jobs. On the contrary: operational skills, safety, and mastery of professional practices are becoming even more strategic.

Certalis enables companies to train and ensure the safety of their field teams easily.

We have raised funds, built a national network of training centers and independent partners in France, and demonstrated strong traction in a market historically underserved by tech.

We are now launching internationally.

The UK is our next major step.

As Operations Manager UK, you are responsible for building Certalis in the UK from the ground up.

You will validate the market, structure supply, sign the first key accounts, adapt our model locally, and progressively build the UK organization.

This is an entrepreneurial role with high autonomy and strong impact.

You are not only managing a market — you are launching it.

Your mission is to:

• Launch and structure the UK market

• Secure first revenues and partnerships

• Build the local supply network (CITB-accredited providers, NEBOSH/IOSH centres, independent trainers)

• Adapt operations to local specificities (CSCS card scheme, CITB Levy mechanics, HSE compliance, sector accreditations)

• Recruit and manage the first UK team members

• Reach product-market fit and scalable growth

This role is ideal for someone who wants to combine strategy, execution, business development, and operations, with the ambition to become General Manager.

The HQ team in Paris has done all the preliminary work for the operations to run as smoothly as possible — we need a native speaker to take ownership and launch.

This is not a standard management role.

It offers:

• Full ownership of a country launch

• Direct exposure to founders and leadership

• Responsibility over strategy + execution

• The opportunity to build a market from zero

• A fast-track path toward General Manager

It is ideal for an ambitious profile who wants to:

• Run a country like a startup within a startup with the help of HQ

• Build a P&L from scratch

• Develop strong entrepreneurial skills

• Play a key role in Certalis' international expansion

• Competitive salary + equity (BSPCE equivalent)

• High autonomy and direct exposure to leadership

• Opportunity to shape an international expansion

• Flexible work environment

• Strong growth trajectory

• 1 to 4 years of experience in start-up, consulting, business development, or general management

• Strong entrepreneurial mindset

• Experience in launching new markets, business units, or products is a strong plus

• Structured and highly execution-oriented

• Strong sensitivity to business KPIs (GMV, margin, conversion)

• Comfortable operating in ambiguity

• Native in English

• Fully proficient in a second European language (French, German, or Dutch) is a plus

• Willing to take ownership and build long-term

• Introductory call with César, COO (30 min)

• Strategic case study (market launch simulation)

• Final interviews with leadership team