Area Operations Manager

Manpower UK Ltd; Lancaster; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic charity-focused team as an Area Operations Manager overseeing crucial maintenance projects for the UK's historic canals. You will play a vital role in leading a dedicated team, ensuring operational efficiency, and enhancing community engagement. This 6-month contract offers an opportunity to make a tangible impact on heritage preservation while gaining valuable leadership experience.

Benefits

Meaningful role supporting historic preservation

Opportunity to lead a passionate team on local projects

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and operational management experience needed.
• SMSTS qualification as minimum requirement.
• Practical understanding of infrastructure maintenance and safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and mentor your team to deliver high-quality work.
• Manage and deliver minor projects across the network.
• Produce risk assessments and safety documentation.

Skills

Leadership

Operational Management

Communication

Education

SMSTS qualification

Job description

Manpower Engineering is proud to be partnering with a well-respected charity to recruit an Area Operations Manager for a 6-month contract. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key leadership role in maintaining and improving the historic canal network between Preston and Kendall.

About the Role

You will be leading a dedicated team of 8 permanent staff, alongside a small group of volunteers, to deliver a variety of maintenance and conservation projects across the UK Waterways. These projects include essential repairs to bridges, walls, and other infrastructure, as well as broader improvements to the canal environment.

This role combines on the ground operational oversight with strategic team leadership and stakeholder coordination. You will be ensuring safe, efficient delivery of work programmes and supporting team development while being a visible presence across the network.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and mentor your team to deliver high-quality work safely and effectively
• Oversee day-to-day operations and respond to issues identified on-site
• Manage and deliver minor projects across the network
• Conduct site assessments and ensure all works are carried out safely and to standard
• Develop and support volunteer engagement and contributions
• Produce risk assessments and safety documentation
• Act as the main point of contact for contractors and facilities management teams

What We're Looking For

• Strong leadership and operational management experience
• SMSTS qualification (minimum requirement)
• A practical understanding of infrastructure maintenance and safety practices
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships with teams, volunteers, stakeholders and contractors

What is on Offer

• A meaningful role supporting the preservation of one of the UK's historic waterways
• The opportunity to lead a team that is passionate about impactful local projects

Please note that we can only accept applications from candidates that live in the local area, who are a resident of the UK and have Proof of Right to Work