Operations Manager

Our design and build Water contractor client are seeking an Operations Manager to lead on their Wessex Water wastewater upgrade project based in Poole on a permanent basis.

Our client has an annual turnover surpassing £600 million and is a real leader in the sector with sustained, robust business performance creating an ideal environment for career growth throughout AMP8. You will be leading on a £200m design-and-build framework will seeing them deliver projects across the Wessex region through to 2030 - with the potential for a five-year extension into AMP9.

Wessex Water serves Dorset, Somerset and Bristol, as well as most of Wiltshire, and parts of Gloucestershire and Hampshire. Stretching across diverse landscape like the famous Jurassic Coast, the Mendip Hills, white cliffs of Dorset and Wiltshire's Salisbury Plain, as well as the cities of Bath and Bristol, the company provides high-quality water services to 1.4 million customers and sewage services to 2.9 million customers.

They are seeking an experienced Operations Manager who will lead the delivery of a flagship £200m+ wastewater infrastructure programme within a long-term Tier 1 capital delivery framework in the water sector. This is a highly visible senior leadership role with end‑to‑end accountability for project outcomes, including safety, programme, cost, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction.

The role has primary responsibility for a major Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) upgrade programme at Poole while also providing leadership and support across the wider framework portfolio as required. You will operate as a client-facing leader, setting delivery standards, driving performance, and shaping outcomes across a complex, multi-disciplinary supply chain

This position suits an individual with a strong background in major civil engineering and regulated infrastructure environments, comfortable operating at the interface of client, designer, contractor, and supply chain.

Responsibilities

You will provide strong operational leadership, driving performance across SHEW, programme, quality and commercial outcomes.
You'll take ownership of resource planning, team structure and client relationships, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently with a 'no surprises' approach.
Lead the delivery of a complex, multi-workstream infrastructure project within a highly regulated environment.
Establish and maintain robust project governance, ensuring compliance with framework, client, and regulatory requirements.
Act as the senior point of escalation for all project performance matters.
Take clear ownership of SHEQ performance, promoting a proactive, values-led safety culture across the project and supply chain.
Own the commercial strategy for the project, working closely with commercial and planning teams to maintain cost certainty and predictability.
In conjunction with the commercial team manage procurement strategies, contract administration, change control, and forecasting in line with framework agreements (e.g.NEC).
Lead the identification, mitigation, and management of project risks and opportunities.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with the client, regulators, key stakeholders, and internal leadership.
Represent the company at client, governance, and assurance meetings.
Ensure effective stakeholder engagement, including coordination with operational teams and third parties.
Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing, multi-disciplinary project team.
Set clear expectations and standards of accountability, performance, and behaviour.
Foster collaboration across design, construction, commercial, and supply chain partners.
Support succession planning and the development of future project leaders within the framework.
Ensure accurate, timely, and transparent reporting of projects performance (cost, value, programme, schedule, risk, and delivery confidence).
Drive continuous improvement and innovation in delivery methods, digital tools, and processes.
Contribute to framework-level performance reviews and lessons learned.

Skills/experience/qualifications

Proven experience leading complex design and build operations, ideally in Water
Civil Engineering background preferred
Strong technical understanding with sound commercial awareness
An engaging leader with excellent communication and organisational skills
Comfortable managing multiple projects and teams simultaneously
Committed to safety, collaboration and continuous improvement

Benefits

Salary dependant on experience - discussed prior to CV submission
26 days annual leave
Min 3% employee, 6% employer pension contribution - capacity for more
5 hour working week
Company discounts/benefits
Private healthcare provision
Bonus tbc
Car allowance