Operations Contract Manager

Semper Services LTD; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Semper Services LTD is seeking an experienced Operations Contract Manager to lead the delivery of gas-focused contracts across our utilities portfolio. You will work with the Operations Director to ensure safe, efficient performance and strong client relationships while driving continuous improvement.

The role demands extensive experience managing operational contracts, leading teams and delivering compliant projects in the utilities sector.

Qualifications

• Significant operational management experience within Gas, Utilities, Infrastructure, Construction or Civil Engineering.
• Proven experience managing operational contracts and delivery teams.
• Experience delivering gas infrastructure or gas utility projects.
• Strong understanding of operational planning, programme delivery and contract performance.
• Experience managing subcontractors and direct labour.
• Excellent client relationship management experience.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to identify risks and opportunities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the safe, efficient and successful delivery of operational contracts.
• Manage day-to-day operational performance, ensuring works are completed safely, on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards.
• Provide leadership, support and direction to operational teams and subcontractors.
• Foster a positive culture focused on safety, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Mobilise, deliver and close-out of utility contracts, with a focus on gas-related works.
• Monitor programme delivery, operational performance and contractual obligations.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders.
• Attend client meetings and provide regular operational updates.
• Promote a collaborative approach to resolving operational challenges.
• Build confidence with clients through consistent delivery and effective communication.
• Work closely with the Commercial Manager to maximise contract performance.
• Support change management and identify commercial opportunities throughout project delivery.
• Monitor operational KPIs, productivity and financial performance.
• Ensure accurate operational reporting and forecasting.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational and commercial performance.
• Champion a strong health, safety and wellbeing culture across all operations.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, industry standards and company procedures.
• Promote safe systems of work and ensure operational risks are effectively managed.
• Support compliance with gas industry standards, codes of practice and client-specific requirements where applicable.
• Coach, mentor and develop operational teams.
• Support recruitment and onboarding as the business continues to grow.
• Encourage a collaborative, high-performing working environment where individuals are empowered to succeed.
• Develop a culture of accountability, continuous learning and operational excellence.

Skills

Gas industry knowledge

Contract delivery

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Health & safety

Budget management

Project governance

Job description

About The Role

We're looking for an experienced Operations Contract Manager to lead the successful delivery of operational contracts across our utilities portfolio, with a particular focus on gas infrastructure and utility works.

We're looking for an experienced Operations Contract Manager to lead the successful delivery of operational contracts across our utilities portfolio, with a particular focus on gas infrastructure and utility works.

Working closely with the Operations Director, you'll take ownership of day-to-day operational performance, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest standards. You'll lead operational teams, build strong client relationships and drive continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with industry regulations and client requirements.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced operational leader who enjoys taking ownership, developing teams and helping build a growing business.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead the safe, efficient and successful delivery of operational contracts.
• Manage day-to-day operational performance, ensuring works are completed safely, on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards.
• Provide leadership, support and direction to operational teams and subcontractors.
• Foster a positive culture focused on safety, accountability and continuous improvement.

Contract Delivery

• Lead the successful mobilisation, delivery and close-out of utility contracts, with a particular focus on gas-related works.
• Ensure all operational activities are delivered in accordance with client specifications, industry legislation and company procedures.
• Monitor programme delivery, operational performance and contractual obligations.
• Identify operational risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Ensure quality, productivity and customer service standards are consistently achieved.

Client Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders.
• Act as the primary operational contact for allocated contracts.
• Attend client meetings and provide regular operational updates.
• Promote a collaborative approach to resolving operational challenges.
• Build confidence with clients through consistent delivery and effective communication.

Commercial & Performance Management

• Work closely with the Commercial Manager to maximise contract performance.
• Support change management and identify commercial opportunities throughout project delivery.
• Monitor operational KPIs, productivity and financial performance.
• Ensure accurate operational reporting and forecasting.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational and commercial performance.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Champion a strong health, safety and wellbeing culture across all operations.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, industry standards and company procedures.
• Promote safe systems of work and ensure operational risks are effectively managed.
• Support compliance with gas industry standards, codes of practice and client-specific requirements where applicable.

Team Development

• Coach, mentor and develop operational teams.
• Support recruitment and onboarding as the business continues to grow.
• Encourage a collaborative, high-performing working environment where individuals are empowered to succeed.
• Develop a culture of accountability, continuous learning and operational excellence.

About You

You'll be an experienced operational leader with a proven ability to deliver contracts, lead teams and build strong client relationships within the utilities sector.

You'll be someone who enjoys taking ownership, solving problems and making informed decisions in a fast-paced operational environment.

Essential

• Significant operational management experience within Gas, Utilities, Infrastructure, Construction or Civil Engineering.
• Proven experience managing operational contracts and delivery teams.
• Experience delivering gas infrastructure or gas utility projects.
• Strong understanding of operational planning, programme delivery and contract performance.
• Experience managing subcontractors and direct labour.
• Excellent client relationship management experience.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to identify risks and opportunities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable

• Experience delivering gas mains replacement, service installation, metering or associated gas infrastructure works.
• Experience working with Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs), utility framework contracts or principal contractors.
• Knowledge of NEC contracts and framework agreements.
• IOSH or NEBOSH qualification.
• SMSTS or equivalent site management qualification.
• NRSWA Supervisor qualification.
• EUSR, SCO or other relevant utility industry accreditations.
• Experience supporting contract mobilisation within the utilities sector.