Head of Operations

Costain Group PLC; Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in smart infrastructure solutions is seeking a Head of Operations to oversee a dynamic team delivering impactful projects in the utilities sector. The role focuses on achieving operational excellence with safe, compliant practices while maintaining strong client and customer relationships. This hybrid position emphasizes leadership in utility frameworks, program management, and performance improvements.

Qualifications

• Experience in leadership within utility frameworks (Water, Power, Gas).
• Capability to manage complex programmes and lead high-performing teams.
• Strong understanding of NEC environment and commercial insight.

Responsibilities

• Lead and model health, safety, environment, and quality standards.
• Foster relationships with clients and improve customer performance.
• Ensure programme targets are met and optimize operational decision-making.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial acumen

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

SMSTS certification

SHEA Passport

Job description

This is an excellent opportunity for a Head of Operations to lead a high performing and vibrant team with a performance mindset. Responsible for the leadership of the operational team delivering safe, customer-focused, compliant, quality, and cost-controlled projects impacting around 600 family homes each week, ensuring the delivery of contractual targets such as programme volume of mains abandoned and customer and commercial unit rates.

This role will be hybrid, with 3 days a week on-site in Peterborough, Hitchin, and Marks Tey.

Responsibilities

1. HSE – Act as a leader and role model within HSE&Q, setting and driving standards, investigating incidents, and embedding learning. Collaborate with HSEQ teams to drive improvements.
2. Client – Foster excellent relationships with our client Cadent, understanding their requirements and delivering against them with integrity and authenticity.
3. LDPs – Build strong relationships with supply chain partners, considering decision impacts, maintaining standards, and driving performance improvements.
4. Customer – Work with the Customer team to implement core processes, respond to reactive and proactive communications, resolve disputes, and improve customer performance standards.
5. Commercial Controls – Collaborate with the Commercial team to optimize operational decision-making, manage programme delivery, and monitor KPI performance for maximum return.
6. Programme – Ensure that programme targets are met, including timely completion of mains, and implement planning and control processes to reduce change.
7. Leadership – Demonstrate behaviors prioritizing health and safety, program control, team spirit, strategic vision, quality communication, team welfare, and cross-team understanding.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in utility frameworks (Water, Power, or Gas)
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams with a collaborative mindset and clear standards
• Experience working with clients and managing complex programmes
• Commercial acumen, NEC environment understanding
• Excellent communication skills
• SMSTS certification
• SHEA Passport

Desirable

• Wider construction management experience
• Risk management understanding
• Experience working with stakeholders like HAs, permitting, and compliance
• Detailed NEC experience

About Us

Costain specializes in smart infrastructure solutions across energy, water, transportation, and defense in the UK. We aim to be the leading smart infrastructure company, focusing on strategic, digitally optimized services throughout asset lifecycles. We value our culture and core principles.

Note: We appreciate all applications but are unable to provide individual feedback at the application stage. Feedback is provided after interviews. We are a Disability Confident employer, offering interviews to applicants with disabilities who meet minimum criteria.