Area Operations Leader, Water Networks & Safety

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Botany Bay; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary up to £65k

26 days holiday

Car Allowance

Annual Bonus

Pension (AON)

Private Medical Health Care

Paternity Leave

Maternity Leave

Wellbeing benefits

Cycle to Work

Life assurance

Job summary

Thames Water Utilities Limited is seeking an Area Operations Manager to lead end‑to‑end performance of a multi-site area within London and the Thames Valley. You will manage repair and maintenance across Water Networks, driving safe, efficient, and compliant operations for millions of customers.

You will oversee a budget up to £5m, lead a 30–40 person team with 7–10 direct reports, and collaborate with contractors and internal teams to deliver outputs aligned with regulator incentives.

Qualifications

• Experience leading large operational teams across multiple sites.
• Strong focus on safety, health and regulatory compliance.
• Good financial acumen with budget management experience.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Knowledge of Water Network operations and maintenance is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end performance of the area across Water Networks, including repair and maintenance.
• Lead safety, timeliness, and efficiency with zero compromise on health and public health.
• Manage a budget up to £5m and a customer base of around 1 million.
• Collaborate with contractors and internal teams to deliver outputs aligned with regulator incentives.
• Develop and sustain community relationships to support local talent and diversity.
• Engage with asset management for future investment and cross-company handovers.
• Lead a team of 30–40 with 7–10 direct reports across London / Thames Valley.

Job description

Thames Water Utilities Limited is seeking an Area Operations Manager to lead end‑to‑end performance of a multi-site area within London and the Thames Valley. You will manage repair and maintenance across Water Networks, driving safe, efficient, and compliant operations for millions of customers.

You will oversee a budget up to £5m, lead a 30–40 person team with 7–10 direct reports, and collaborate with contractors and internal teams to deliver outputs aligned with regulator incentives.