Director of Operations

Navantia UK; Belfast; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Career growth opportunities

Inclusive workplace environment

Job summary

A leading shipbuilding company in Belfast is seeking an experienced Director of Operations to oversee and improve shipyard production. Your responsibilities will include managing daily operations and ensuring timely delivery of vessels to comply with quality standards. Candidates should have significant experience in shipbuilding or heavy manufacturing and a related degree. This role offers competitive compensation and a chance to lead in maritime innovation.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in shipbuilding, manufacturing, or defence industry.
• Experienced senior operational leader with decision-making capabilities.
• Proven ability to manage large teams and improve processes.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead shipyard operations including production and delivery.
• Drive operational strategy and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
• Manage budgets, cost efficiency, and performance metrics (KPIs).
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing operations team.

Skills

Leadership

Shipyard processes knowledge

Operational strategy expertise

Project execution skills

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Overview

Navantia UK is a UK incorporated company, subsidiary of Spanish Navantia, created to work with UK industrial partners in shipbuilding, defence and in offshore wind energy. With a history that goes back more than 300 hundred years, Navantia is a world reference in the design, building, integration and life cycle support of state-of-the-art war ships for the Spanish Navy and international customers and has extensive experience in ToT programmes.

We are seeking an experienced Director of Operations to lead shipyard production and drive excellence across all phases of shipbuilding. This role will oversee daily operations, manage resources, and ensure vessels are delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest quality and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all shipyard operations, including production, outfitting, testing, and delivery.
• Drive operational strategy, capacity planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and maritime regulations.
• Manage budgets, cost efficiency, and performance metrics (KPIs).
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing operations team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Marine/Shipbuilding, or related field or equivalent
• Strong experience in shipbuilding, heavy manufacturing, or defence industry
• Experienced senior operational leader
• Strong knowledge of shipyard processes, regulations, and project execution
• Proven ability to deliver results, manage large teams, and drive process improvements

Additional Information

• Why Join Us? Opportunity to lead at a premier shipbuilding facility
• Play a key role in shaping the future of maritime innovation
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and career growth
• Career growth opportunities within a global organisation
• The chance to work on complex, cutting-edge naval projects
• An inclusive, collaborative workplace where your contributions make a difference

Equal Opportunity

Equal Opportunity: We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. To ensure equal opportunities for all candidates, we commit to a fair and unbiased recruitment process at every stage. This includes ensuring hiring managers are aware of legislation, providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities, and actively seeking to eliminate any form of discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Our goal is to create a recruitment environment where every candidate feels valued and has an equal chance to succeed.

How to apply

If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role online please contact us at [e-mail] and one of the team will be in contact to help you.

Contact and location

Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Employment type: Full-time | Job function: Other | Industries: Shipbuilding | Seniority: Director