Area Operations Manager

Thames Water; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Thames Water seeks an Area Operations Manager to oversee daily water production in the Guildford & South West Surrey area. The position involves managing a large team, regulatory compliance, and strategic planning to enhance operational efficiency and water management, contributing to the overall vision of sustainability.

Benefits

26 days holiday, increasing to 30 with service

Car Allowance

Annual Bonus

Private Medical Healthcare

Contributory pension scheme (up to 12%)

Annual Medical Assessments

Wider benefits via benefits hub

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in a performance-driven environment.
• Extensive experience managing operational sites.
• Full UK Driving Licence required.

Responsibilities

• Ensure delivery of wholesome drinking water while maintaining regulatory compliance.
• Manage operation and maintenance of water treatment and storage assets.
• Develop operational strategies to meet regulatory requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Commercial acumen

Health and Safety

Customer-focused approach

Communication skills

Resilience

Tenacity

Operational management

Water Production knowledge

Job description

We are looking to recruit an Area Operations Manager at Thames Water, overseeing day-to-day water production across multiple sites in the Guildford & South West Surrey area. This high-profile role offers the opportunity to shape and deliver the strategic direction of Water Production for the UK’s largest water company.

What you will be doing as an Area Operations Manager

1. Ensuring the delivery of wholesome drinking water to customers while maintaining regulatory compliance.
2. Managing the operation and maintenance of water treatment, storage, and transmission assets, leading a team of up to 30 people.
3. Stakeholder management, including customers, regulators, emergency services, and political groups.
4. Achieving performance targets in Health & Safety, customer service, financial controls, regulatory compliance, and people development, while implementing continuous performance improvements and cost reductions.
5. Developing operational strategies and plans to meet regulatory requirements and capacity needs, managing capital works, and coordinating with Thames Water’s capital programme.

What should you bring to the role?

• Proven leadership in a performance-driven environment.
• Strategic thinking with strong commercial acumen.
• Unwavering commitment to Health, Safety, and Wellbeing.
• Customer-focused approach.
• Excellent communication skills, resilience, and tenacity.
• Ability to meet challenging operational targets.
• Extensive experience managing operational sites.
• Strong knowledge of Water Production processes.
• Full UK Driving Licence is required.

What’s in it for you?

• Salary between £65,000 - £75,000 per year, depending on experience.
• 26 days holiday, increasing to 30 with service, plus bank holidays.
• Car Allowance.
• Annual Bonus.
• Private Medical Healthcare.
• Contributory pension scheme (up to 12%).
• Annual Medical Assessments.
• Wider benefits via our benefits hub.

Who are we?

Thames Water is the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, serving over 16 million customers daily. We aim to build a sustainable future, supporting our communities, people, and the planet. Join us to make a difference and help shape the future of water management.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, welcoming applications from everyone and providing support throughout the recruitment process. We encourage early applications as the posting may close sooner due to high volume.