Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL) is focused on developing geothermal energy and lithium extraction from geothermal waters. Based at United Downs in Cornwall, GEL is at the forefront of sustainable energy and critical mineral production, supporting the transition to a low-carbon future.
The UK's first geothermal power plant is now moving from commissioning into full operations. As the site matures and GEL plans for future multi-site expansion, we are creating a senior Operations Manager role to take full ownership of plant operations, safety and team development.
About the Role:
We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager to take full responsibility for the geothermal power plant at United Downs, from hands-on operational and technical management through to strategic leadership. The operations team, including shift operators, reports directly into this role. This is a senior leadership position reporting to the COO, covering day-to-day plant operations, budget ownership, well integrity governance, health & safety, and workforce development. The role deputises for the COO on operational and HSE matters and contributes to Board-level reporting on operational and integrity performance.
The role works closely with the Drilling Manager, who acts as GEL's Well Integrity Manager, and coordinates — as a peer, not a line management relationship — with GEL's Projects and Lithium Manager, who runs the site's separate lithium demonstration plant. It is an excellent opportunity for an experienced operations leader who wants both strategic ownership and a hands-on role in shaping how GEL runs and scales its geothermal power operations.
Key Responsibilities:
Operational and Technical Management
- Take full accountability for the day-to-day electrical, mechanical and administrative operation of the geothermal power plant.
- Monitor and resolve control system faults and equipment malfunctions, coordinating repairs with internal and external teams.
- Own asset integrity, production reporting and a structured maintenance and reliability programme (KPIs, condition monitoring) for plant equipment.
- Drive the development and consolidation of operational reporting into one consistent approach, proactively working with stakeholders.
- Manage spares, consumables and contractor/vendor relationships, including liaison with technology provider Exergy.
- Create and maintain SOPs and safe systems of work, ensuring electricity generation complies with UK regulations and standards.
Health, Safety, Environmental and Regulatory Compliance
- Own the site's HSE management system and strategy, ensuring compliance with UK legislation and relevant standards.
- Maintain operational oversight of environmental permit compliance (e.g. geothermal fluid discharge and reinjection), working with the Development Manager who leads permitting and planning.
- Own grid connection performance and compliance, ensuring electricity generation and export activities meet Ofgem and grid operator requirements.
- Lead the response to internal and third-party audits, ensuring corrective actions are tracked to completion.
Well Integrity and Seismicity Governance
- Act as Operations Supervisor / Site Manager within GEL's Well Integrity Management System (WIMS), implementing daily operational controls and barrier checks.
- Ensure the operations team follows well monitoring procedures and reports anomalies immediately to the Drilling Manager (Well Integrity Manager).
- Coordinate well testing, maintenance and interventions with the Drilling Manager and third-party specialists.
- Own compliance with the site's seismic monitoring programme, reporting on activity and liaising with the Drilling Manager and BGS as required.
- Review well integrity and seismicity KPIs, incidents and audit findings, supporting the annual integrity performance review to senior management.
Team Leadership, Training and Workforce Planning
- Directly manage the operations team, including shift operators, setting priorities and performance standards.
- Lead structured training and onboarding for shift operators including safety and well integrity competencies.
- Spend regular time on shift with operators, coaching performance in real time.
- Conduct performance reviews and skill development planning and manage recruitment and succession planning as the team scales.
Cross-Functional and Stakeholder Coordination
- Coordinate with the Projects and Lithium Manager to align shared site activities, while respecting the separation between the two business entities.
- Act as the key operational liaison with construction, drilling and community engagement teams.
- Represent GEL's operations function with regulators, auditors and other external stakeholders as required.
- Own site emergency response and business continuity planning.
- Report operational carbon and sustainability metrics to the COO, CFO and IT Director.
Future Planning and Scaling
- Lead planning for multi-site expansion, building scalable systems, processes and team structures.
Requirements:
Essential:
- Suitable technical degree-level qualification.
- Significant experience leading operations within an industrial, energy or process environment, including direct people management.
- Experienced in fault resolution and troubleshooting, and able to read and interpret process, mechanical and electrical project drawings.
- Experience owning budgets and operational costs.
- Strong working knowledge of Health & Safety management and UK legislation.
- Working knowledge of well integrity or barrier-critical safety principles, or willingness to complete GEL's structured Well Integrity Management System (WIMS) training programme.
- Advanced communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Able to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
- A full UK driving licence.
- Right to work in the UK (we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role).
Desirable:
- Experience in geothermal, oil & gas, utilities or another safety-critical, barrier-critical process industry.
- Prior experience operating within a formal well integrity or process safety management system.
- Experience with environmental permitting and/or grid connection agreements.
- Experience managing multi-site operations or supporting site expansion.
- Chartered engineer status or equivalent professional qualification.
- Interest in renewable energy and Cornwall's move to net zero carbon by 2045.
Why join GEL?
This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a clean energy and critical mineral project, as we support Cornwall's move to net zero carbon by 2045.
You'll be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking team who see the co-production of lithium with geothermal power and heat from the same geothermal source as an exciting opportunity for both the company and Cornwall.
Hours: 40
Location: United Downs Industrial Estate, St Day, Cornwall, TR16 5HY
To apply for this role, please send your CV and cover letter to [email protected] with the subject 'Operations Manager'.
Closing date: 20th September 2026
Pay: £60,000.00-£70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Private medical insurance
- Sick pay
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
