49 Best news director Jobs in Newcastle Upon Tyne (August 2026)

General Manager – IXO Group Reports to: Founder / Managing Director Position: Full-time Level: Senior Leadership About IXO IXO is a growing group focused on acquiring, building and improving profitable businesses. Our goal is not just ownership, but building high-performing companies through strong leadership, great people, efficient systems, and the use of technology and AI. We are looking for a General Manager to turn the Founder’s vision into consistent operational execution across the group. The Role The General Manager is responsible for the day-to-day performance of IXO businesses. You will work closely with the Founder and act as the operational link between ownership, management teams and employees. Your core responsibility is: To ensure the businesses perform, the people perform, the systems work, and the organisation continues to move forward. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring ownership, problem-solving, people development and continuous improvement. Key Responsibilities 1. Operational Leadership ● Oversee daily operations across IXO businesses ● Ensure each company operates efficiently and professionally ● Translate strategy into clear operational execution ● Build structure, processes and accountability ● Identify and resolve operational issues early ● Ensure actions and decisions are followed through 1. Financial & Commercial Performance Work closely with the Founder and finance function to monitor: ● Revenue ● Profit (gross and net) ● Cash flow ● Costs ● Sales performance ● Productivity ● Key operational KPIs Ensure each business has clear, reliable performance metrics and take action when results change. 1. People & Culture Build a high-performance culture where strong people thrive. ● Recruit and develop high-quality employees ● Manage and support managers ● Set clear expectations and standards ● Hold people accountable fairly and consistently ● Recognise strong performance and address poor performance quickly ● Develop future leaders within the group ● Protect and strengthen company culture IXO should be known for respect, high standards and strong performance. 1. Systems, Technology & AI Use technology as a competitive advantage by improving efficiency and reducing complexity. Focus areas include: ● Automating repetitive tasks ● Improving customer communication ● Strengthening lead management ● Enhancing reporting and visibility ● Improving scheduling and operations ● Reducing unnecessary costs ● Introducing AI where it adds clear commercial value Technology should improve performance, not add complexity. 1. Business Improvement Drive continuous improvement across all businesses by identifying: ● What can be improved or simplified ● What can be automated ● Where money is being lost ● Where customers or time are being lost ● What would significantly improve performance Turn improvements into structured projects with clear ownership and deadlines. 1. Acquisitions & Integration Support the integration of new acquisitions into IXO by: ● Assessing operations and teams ● Identifying risks and opportunities ● Establishing KPIs and reporting ● Improving systems and processes ● Implementing IXO standards ● Identifying cost savings and growth opportunities ● Preserving what already works well The goal is to improve businesses, not change them unnecessarily. 1. Founder Reporting Provide clear, consistent visibility across the group through a weekly report covering: ● Revenue and profitability ● Cash position ● Sales and KPIs ● Staffing updates ● Key issues and risks ● Customer issues ● Opportunities and projects ● Decisions requiring approval There should be no surprises. Issues should be raised early with proposed solutions. What We’re Looking For ● Strong operational leadership experience ● Experience managing teams and managers ● Strong commercial and financial understanding ● Knowledge of KPIs, profit and cash flow ● Excellent communication skills ● Strong organisation and execution ability ● Confident decision-making ● Experience implementing systems and processes ● Interest in technology, AI and automation ● Ability to work in a fast-growing, entrepreneurial environment Experience across multiple businesses or locations is highly valuable. The Person We value character as much as experience. The right person will be: Accountable – takes ownership and responsibility Commercial – understands how businesses make money People-focused – respects others while maintaining high standards Calm under pressure – responds logically, not emotionally Organised – brings structure to complexity Driven – motivated to build something significant Honest – communicates clearly and directly Solution-focused – brings answers, not just problems Adaptable – comfortable in changing environments Humble – willing to learn from others What Success Looks Like (12 Months) A successful General Manager will have: ● Clear reporting across all businesses ● Defined KPIs at company and department level ● Strong accountability across management ● Improved operational efficiency ● Better financial visibility ● Stronger hiring and retention ● Documented systems and processes ● Increased use of automation and AI ● A repeatable acquisition integration model ● Reduced reliance on the Founder for daily operations The Bigger Opportunity This role will grow with IXO. We are not just hiring someone to manage today’s businesses, but to help build the organisation IXO becomes. As the group expands, this role can develop into a senior Group leadership position overseeing multiple companies. The aim is a structure where the Founder sets direction, and the leadership team executes with full accountability and ownership.

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