Role Overview
The Senior Operations Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership across the company's gas and power utility operations, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, commercially and to the required standards of quality and client satisfaction.
The role will have overall responsibility for the effective management of operational resources, programmes, workforce performance, plant and equipment and client relationships.
Working closely with the senior management team, the Senior Operations Manager will be responsible for ensuring that operational activities are aligned with company objectives, contractual requirements and industry standards.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, commercial awareness and a comprehensive understanding of utility infrastructure, particularly gas and/or power network construction and maintenance.
Key ResponsibilitiesOperational Management
- Provide strategic leadership and direction across all operational activities.
- Oversee the delivery of multiple gas and power utility projects simultaneously.
- Ensure works are delivered safely, efficiently and in accordance with approved programmes and specifications.
- Monitor operational performance against agreed KPIs, productivity targets and financial objectives.
- Ensure sufficient resources are available to meet current and future workload requirements.
- Coordinate labour, plant, materials, vehicles and specialist equipment.
- Identify operational constraints and implement effective solutions to maintain programme.
- Review workload, capacity and future resource requirements with the senior management team.
- Ensure effective mobilisation of new projects and workstreams.
- Drive continuous improvement across operational processes and working practices.
Gas & Power Utilities
- Maintain a strong working knowledge of utility construction and infrastructure activities.
- Oversee works including gas mains replacement, diversions, reinforcement, new connections and associated civil engineering activities.
- Ensure works are undertaken in accordance with relevant legislation, client specifications, industry standards and approved procedures.
- Maintain a strong understanding of utility network requirements, permits, traffic management, reinstatement and excavation activities.
- Ensure operational teams understand and comply with client-specific requirements and procedures.
- Support the development and implementation of new working methods and technologies.
Health, Safety, Quality & Environmental
- Promote and maintain a strong positive health and safety culture throughout the organisation.
- Ensure all operational activities comply with company HSEQ policies and procedures.
- Work closely with the Health & Safety team to identify hazards, manage risks and implement appropriate control measures.
- Ensure incidents, accidents, near misses and environmental events are appropriately reported, investigated and closed out.
- Monitor site compliance through inspections, audits and performance reviews.
- Ensure corrective and preventative actions are implemented effectively.
- Promote workforce engagement and encourage proactive hazard and near-miss reporting.
- Ensure environmental controls are effectively implemented across operational activities.
- Support the company in maintaining relevant industry accreditations and client approvals.
Commercial & Financial Management
- Take responsibility for the operational financial performance of allocated projects and contracts.
- Monitor productivity, labour utilisation, plant costs, material usage and subcontractor expenditure.
- Work closely with the commercial team to identify and manage variations, compensation events, additional works and commercial opportunities.
- Ensure works are delivered in accordance with contractual requirements.
- Identify areas of operational inefficiency and implement measures to improve profitability.
- Support tendering and pre-construction activities by providing operational input, methodology and resource requirements.
- Review project performance and ensure lessons learned are incorporated into future works.
Client & Stakeholder Management
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with clients, principal contractors, utility companies and key stakeholders.
- Act as a senior point of contact for operational matters.
- Attend client meetings, progress meetings and performance reviews as required.
- Ensure client concerns and operational issues are dealt with promptly and professionally.
- Maintain a strong focus on customer satisfaction and service delivery.
- Support the development of long-term client relationships and future opportunities.
People & Leadership
- Provide effective leadership to Operations Managers, Project Managers, Site Managers, Supervisors and operational teams.
- Develop a high-performing operational management structure.
- Identify training, competency and development requirements.
- Support recruitment and workforce planning to ensure the company has the appropriate level of competent resources.
- Conduct regular performance reviews and provide appropriate coaching and support.
- Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork and continuous improvement.
- Ensure employees are appropriately trained, competent and authorised to undertake their roles.
- Manage performance issues in accordance with company procedures.
Plant, Equipment & Resources
- Ensure plant, vehicles and equipment are appropriately allocated and utilised.
- Monitor plant availability, maintenance requirements and operational efficiency.
- Work with relevant departments to ensure equipment is available to meet programme requirements.
- Ensure all plant and equipment is properly inspected, maintained and operated by competent personnel.
- Identify opportunities to improve fleet and plant utilisation.
Planning & Performance
The Senior Operations Manager will be responsible for monitoring and improving operational performance through the use of appropriate KPIs, including:
- Programme delivery.
- Productivity and output.
- Labour utilisation.
- Plant utilisation.
- HSEQ performance.
- Customer satisfaction.
- Financial performance.
- Quality and reinstatement performance.
- Resource efficiency.
- Training and competency.
- Incident and near-miss performance.
Regular operational performance reports will be provided to the senior management team, highlighting achievements, risks, opportunities and areas requiring intervention.
Qualifications & ExperienceEssential
- Significant experience in a senior operational management role within the gas, power, utilities or civil engineering sector.
- Proven experience managing multiple operational teams and projects.
- Strong understanding of utility infrastructure and construction activities.
- Demonstrable experience in workforce and resource management.
- Strong commercial and financial awareness.
- Experience managing client relationships and contractual requirements.
- Strong understanding of health, safety, quality and environmental requirements.
- Excellent leadership and communication skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities within a fast-paced operational environment.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable
- Experience within the gas distribution network or power distribution sector.
- Experience working with major utility clients.
- Experience operating under NEC or other major forms of contract.
- SMSTS or equivalent.
- IOSH / NEBOSH qualification.
- Relevant utility industry qualifications.
- Streetworks / NRSWA qualifications.
- Experience with operational management systems and digital reporting platforms.
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will be:
- A strong and decisive leader.
- Commercially aware and results driven.
- Organised and able to manage multiple priorities.
- Proactive in identifying and resolving operational issues.
- Confident when dealing with clients and senior stakeholders.
- Committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety.
- Able to motivate and develop operational teams.
- A strong communicator at all levels of the organisation.
- Comfortable working under pressure and making informed decisions.
- Focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Key Objectives of the Role
The Senior Operations Manager will be expected to:
- Deliver all operational activities safely and efficiently.
- Achieve agreed programme and productivity targets.
- Maintain strong client relationships and customer satisfaction.
- Improve operational profitability and resource utilisation.
- Develop and maintain a competent and high-performing workforce.
- Maintain high standards of HSEQ compliance.
- Identify and implement opportunities for operational improvement.
- Support company growth and mobilisation of new contracts.
- Ensure operational risks are identified, managed and communicated effectively.
- Provide strong leadership and direction across the operational business.
Pay: £50,000.00-£71,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
