Operations Director

Infrastructure Gateway Ltd; Kettering; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Private medical insurance

Pension

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

A leading multi-utility provider in the UK is seeking an Operations Director to drive transformational growth. You will be accountable for the multi-utility operational strategy and delivery across a complex project portfolio. The ideal candidate will have senior leadership experience in utilities or regulated infrastructure. This strategic role offers an executive platform to influence business performance while leading a culture of safety and operational excellence. Competitive benefits include a performance bonus and private medical insurance.

Qualifications

• Extensive operational leadership experience in utilities or regulated infrastructure.
• Proven capability in leading large teams and complex operational portfolios.
• Strong understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Drive operational excellence and digital transformation.
• Lead teams to ensure high-quality and commercially successful outcomes.
• Present operational performance and KPIs to the Board.

Skills

Senior operational leadership experience

Commercial and financial acumen

Transformational leadership

Regulatory and compliance knowledge

Inspirational leadership style

Education

Degree in Engineering, Operations, Management or similar

Job description

Operations Director – Infrastructure Gateway Ltd

A rare opportunity to lead transformational growth in a fast-scaling utilities business

Infrastructure Gateway Ltd (IGL) is entering a period of significant expansion, and we’re looking for a visionary Operations Director to lead our operational strategy, drive innovation, and elevate our delivery capability as we scale. If you’re an experienced operational leader from utilities or a similarly regulated infrastructure environment, and you thrive in high-growth, transformational settings, this is a pivotal leadership role with the influence and scope to shape the next chapter of our business.

About the Role

As Operations Director, you will hold executive accountability for the operational strategy and end-to-end delivery of all multi-utility activities across our extensive and complex project portfolio. Reporting to the COO, you will lead teams responsible for planning, construction, commissioning, records, compliance and NRSWA noticing, ensuring safe, high-quality and commercially successful outcomes for more than 350 live projects.

You will:

• Lead, champion and continuously improve our safety-first culture.
• Shape and deliver operational strategy, driving transformation and digitalisation.
• Strengthen resilience through robust continuity planning and sustainability initiatives.
• Drive operational excellence across water production, treatment, distribution and multi-utility delivery.
• Work closely with accrediting bodies, adopting utilities, regulators and key stakeholders.
• Deliver financial performance through efficiency, cost control and strong commercial governance.
• Build, lead and develop high-performing teams and future leaders.
• Present operational performance and KPIs to the Board.

This is both a strategic and hands‑on role: perfect for a leader who can set vision, influence at Executive level and still engage deeply with delivery teams to ensure performance on the ground.

About Infrastructure Gateway Ltd

Infrastructure Gateway Ltd is a dynamic and ambitious multi-utility provider delivering high-quality, safe and compliant services across the UK. As part of South Staffordshire PLC, we benefit from the strength, stability and long-term vision of a wider group that includes leading water and infrastructure businesses. This gives IGL significant opportunities for growth, cross-group collaboration and access to broader capabilities, expertise and investment. Our focus is on delivering operational excellence, embracing digital transformation, investing in sustainability, and developing our people as we prepare for the next stage of expansion. The Operations Director will play a central part in shaping and realising this future.

What You’ll Need

We’re looking for a strategic, influential and delivery-focused leader with:

• Extensive senior operational leadership experience within utilities, water or a similarly regulated infrastructure environment (multi-utility experience is helpful but not essential).
• Proven capability in leading large teams and complex operational portfolios.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including contract management and cost‑efficiency delivery.
• A track record of driving transformation, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Sound understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements and experience engaging with industry bodies.
• An inspirational leadership style, capable of driving accountability, performance and engagement.
• Degree-calibre education (Engineering, Operations, Management or similar), with chartership an advantage.
• Commitment to safety, sustainability and operational excellence.

Above all, we’re looking for a future-focused leader who can guide a fast-growing business through its next phase.

What You’ll Get in Return

• Performance bonus
• Pension
• Private medical insurance
• Executive-level influence to shape business strategy and performance
• Significant opportunities for career progression within a wider Group
• The chance to lead major transformation in a business with strong growth ambitions

If you’re ready to lead at pace, drive transformation, and build a high-performance operational function in a rapidly expanding utilities business, we’d welcome a conversation.