Head of Operations

SER (Staffing) Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking a Head of Operations in the water engineering sector to lead and optimize operational delivery. This role involves overseeing day-to-day activities and managing large-scale projects while ensuring efficiency and compliance. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in operations management and a strong technical understanding of water-related projects. Offering a competitive salary of £60,000 - £80,000 plus benefits including a company vehicle and pension.

Benefits

Company vehicle

Fuel card

Phone

Pension

29 days holiday

Qualifications

• Proven experience in operations management within water engineering or environmental solutions.
• Strong technical understanding of water-related projects like flood defence and river restoration.
• Ability to manage large-scale and complex operations effectively.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operational activities ensuring efficiency and safety.
• Lead a team of contract managers in project delivery.
• Implement operational strategies for sustainable growth.
• Collaborate with project managers for on-time delivery.
• Establish KPIs for performance measurement.

Skills

Operations management

Leadership capabilities

Project management

Resource planning

KPI establishment

Job description

Head of Operations

Location : Suffolk

£60,000 - £80,000 plus company vehicle, fuel card, phone, pension and 29 days holiday inclusive of statutory days

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Operations Manager to lead and optimise operational delivery in the water engineering sector. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards while supporting sustainable business growth.

This role requires a deep understanding of the water engineering industry, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to develop systems and processes that enhance project delivery and overall company performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operational activities across waterscape, green infrastructure, water-based civils, and maintenance works, ensuring efficiency, safety, and compliance.
• Provide direct oversight of key projects while leading and supporting a team of contract managers within the department.
• Develop and implement operational strategies, processes, and systems to drive sustainable growth and continuous improvement.
• Manage resource planning, including workforce allocation, supply chain coordination, and equipment utilisation.
• Collaborate with project managers and engineering teams to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to client specifications.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to measure operational performance, productivity, and client satisfaction.
• Lead, mentor, and develop operational teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and professional growth.
• Work closely with commercial, sales, and finance departments to align operational capacity with business development goals.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks through robust governance and control measures.
• Promote innovation in methods, technology, and sustainability practices to strengthen competitive advantage.
• Prepare and deliver operational performance reports and improvement plans to the executive team.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in operations management and leadership within water engineering, environmental solutions, or related infrastructure sectors.
• Strong technical understanding of lake, wetland, reservoir, flood defence, dredging, and river restoration projects.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large-scale, complex operations and multi-disciplinary teams.

Application Process

Please contact Becky Kerridge on 01254781300 or submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and your vision for strengthening operations in the water engineering sector.