Operation Manager

Oyster Recruitment Ltd; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Oyster Recruitment Ltd. seeks an experienced Operations Manager to lead multi-utility programmes across gas, water and pipeline engineering services. You will oversee strategic delivery, resource planning and safety, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.

Lead field teams, manage risk, and drive profitability while maintaining high standards of health and safety and stakeholder satisfaction across regulated utility markets.

Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-utility programmes.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Leading day-to-day delivery of utility and pipeline projects across multiple workstreams.
• Provide strategic direction to operational teams to deliver projects safely on time and within budget.
• Plan resources, labour, plant and equipment to maximise efficiency.
• Monitor project performance and manage risks to keep programmes on track.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to support forecasting and profitability.
• Build relationships with customers and stakeholders.
• Champion health, safety, quality and compliance across operations.
• Mentor and develop delivery teams.
• Drive continuous improvement in processes and reporting.

Skills

Operational leadership

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Budgeting

Health and safety

Tools

NEC4 contracts

Job description

Are you an experienced operational leader with a background in utilities, infrastructure, or pipeline engineering?

Our client, leading provider within the multi utility sector is looking for an experienced Operation Manager to lead their operational programmes and drive consistent, safe and profitable delivery.

This is a strategic leadership role responsible for the safe, efficient and profitable delivery of multi-utility operations across gas, water and specialist pipeline engineering services. You'll provide senior leadership for programme delivery, operational planning and resource management, ensuring all projects and framework commitments are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to customer expectations.

Responsibilities:

• Leading the day to day delivery of utility and pipeline engineering projects across multiple workstreams.
• Providing strategic direction to operational teams and ensuring projects are delivered safely on time and within budget.
• Planning resources, labour, plant and specialist equipment to maximise efficiency.
• Monitoring project performance, identifying risks and implementing solutions to keep programmes on track.
• Working closely with commercial teams to support forecasting, financial performance, profitability and contract delivery.
• Building strong relationships with customers, framework partners and key stakeholders.
• Championing high standards of health, safety, quality and compliance across all operations.
• Leading, mentoring and developing operational managers and delivery teams.
• Driving continuous improvement by introducing more efficient processes, reporting and performance measures.
• Supporting future business growth across regulated utility markets.

What They’re Looking For:

• Operational or programme management experience within the multi utility, infrastructure, or pipeline sector is essential.
• A proven track record of leading operational programmes and managing field based delivery teams.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness with the ability to balance operational performance and profitability.
• Experience delivering projects within regulated utility environments.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to manage multiple programmes, resources and customer expectations simultaneously.
• A proactive approach with a focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with the structure and requirements of AMP and RIIO frameworks.
• Knowledge of specialist engineering services, such as trenchless technologies or pipeline rehabilitation.
• An understanding of NEC3 or NEC4 contract models.

If you've successfully managed operational programmes, led field based teams and delivered complex projects within the multi utility, infrastructure, or pipeline sector, this could be the ideal next step in your career.