Head of Operational Delivery

IES Utilities Group LTD; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading utility company in Manchester is seeking a Head of Operational Delivery Major Projects to oversee the execution of all major projects. This role requires extensive leadership experience in utilities and a proven ability to manage complex projects. The ideal candidate will ensure operational excellence and contribute to the company's growth ambitions. The position offers a salary of up to £70k and an executive package.

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience in delivering major projects.
• Proven track record of managing large-scale, complex projects.
• Strong understanding of regulatory, client, and contractual frameworks.
• Excellent people leadership skills with experience building teams.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of major projects ensuring alignment with company growth.
• Develop operational delivery strategies for timely project execution.
• Oversee project delivery ensuring compliance with requirements.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership experience in utilities

Project management of complex projects

Regulatory and contractual understanding

Project mobilisation

People leadership skills

Commercial acumen

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Reports to: Head of Major Projects & Bids

Location: Manchester

Salary: Up to £70k with executive package

Purpose of the Role

The Head of Operational Delivery Major Projects will be responsible for leading the safe, efficient, and effective execution of all major projects. Operating within a company with turnover up to £500m+ per annum, this role will be central to ensuring operational excellence, client satisfaction, and long-term sustainable growth within Major Projects. As part of the Major Projects leadership team, the role will work alongside the Head of Commercial, Head of Bids, and Estimator to deliver high-value, complex utility projects. The Head of Operational Delivery will ensure mobilisation, governance, and delivery frameworks are embedded to drive performance and ensure successful project outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Operational Leadership

• Provide leadership for the delivery of all major projects, ensuring alignment with the company's growth ambitions to £500m+ turnover.
• Develop and implement operational delivery strategies to ensure projects are executed safely, on time, and within budget.
• Represent operational delivery at Executive and Board level, providing insight into project performance and risks.

Project Execution & Delivery

• Oversee the delivery of major projects, ensuring operational teams meet contractual, client, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead mobilisation of new projects, ensuring resources, systems, and processes are in place for successful execution.
• Drive improvements in utilisation, productivity, and delivery efficiency across all major projects.

Governance & Risk Management

• Ensure robust governance frameworks are applied to project delivery, with accurate reporting and compliance oversight.
• Identify and manage operational risks, escalating to the Head of Major Projects & Bids and Board where appropriate.
• Lead lessons learned reviews and embed improvements across all future major projects.

People & Resource Leadership

• Lead and develop operational delivery teams within the Major Projects function.
• Ensure the division is adequately staffed and resourced to deliver growth ambitions.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across all delivery teams.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, regulators, and industry partners to ensure satisfaction and retention.
• Work closely with the Head of Commercial and Head of Major Projects & Bids, and Estimator to ensure deliverability of bid commitments.
• Act as a key representative of the company in client and industry forums for major project delivery.

Key Skills & Experience

• Extensive leadership experience in delivering major projects within utilities, infrastructure, or construction sectors.
• Proven track record of managing large-scale, complex projects in a high growth business environment.
• Strong understanding of regulatory, client, and contractual frameworks across power, water, gas, renewables, and telecoms.
• Experience in project mobilisation, governance, and operational delivery at scale.
• Excellent people leadership skills with experience building and leading multi-disciplinary operational teams.
• Commercial acumen with the ability to align operational delivery with financial and strategic objectives.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills at Executive, Board, and client levels.

Key Measures of Success

• Safe, efficient, and profitable delivery of all major projects across multiple utility sectors.
• Successful mobilisation and execution of new projects in line with client and contractual requirements.
• Achievement of operational targets for delivery, efficiency, and utilisation within the Major Projects function.
• Positive client feedback and repeat business secured through high-quality delivery.
• Full compliance with governance, contractual, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong collaboration with the Major Projects leadership team, ensuring integrated delivery outcomes.
• Contribution to the company's growth trajectory to £500m+ turnover through operational excellence.