Operations Manager

Talent Smart; Basingstoke; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading project management firm in the UK seeks a senior leader to oversee project operations with a strong focus on quality, compliance, and accountability. You will lead multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and client satisfaction. The successful candidate will possess extensive experience in project operations, strong leadership qualities, and a track record in commercial awareness. This role offers opportunities for strategic engagement and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in project operations in Construction or Mechanical Engineering.
• Proven leadership across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Recognised design competence (e.g., industry certification or equivalent).
• Strong people management and accountability skills.
• Solid commercial awareness and costing understanding.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the company’s project operations with a focus on quality and compliance.
• Manage and support department leaders to uphold efficiency and compliance.
• Oversee the full project lifecycle: design, procurement, installation, and handover.
• Guide leaders on project profitability while maintaining quality.
• Act as the senior point of contact for clients and partners.

Skills

Project operations leadership

Quality assurance

Compliance management

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Education

Industry certification in relevant field

Job description

Role Purpose

Lead the company s project operations with a focus on quality, compliance, and accountability.
Ensure all departmental leaders manage their teams to the highest standards of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

1. Quality & Compliance Leadership

• Embed a culture where quality, compliance, and accountability are core expectations.
• Ensure all departments deliver work compliant with client, design, and regulatory standards.
• Implement continuous improvement through regular management audits and reviews.

2. Departmental Oversight

• Manage and support department leaders to uphold standards of efficiency, quality, and compliance.
• Set clear expectations and hold regular performance and review meetings.
• Ensure all stages from quotation to handover meet programme, quality, and compliance objectives.

3. Project Delivery Oversight

• Oversee the full project lifecycle: design, procurement, installation, and handover.
• Lead regular operational reviews to monitor compliance, programme, and commercial performance.
• Ensure client satisfaction through consistent delivery and adherence to standards.

4. Commercial & Strategic Management

• Guide leaders on project profitability without compromising quality or compliance.
• Promote commercial discipline in variation management and risk control.
• Support effective supply chain management and performance monitoring.

5. Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting

• Act as the senior point of contact for clients, partners, and regulators.
• Report to Directors on performance, risk, and improvement initiatives.

Key Performance Indicators

• Quality & Compliance: Audit outcomes, training, and regulatory adherence
• Project Delivery: Programme, budget, client satisfaction, and defect rates
• People: Departmental engagement, retention, and staff development

Candidate Profile

Essential

• Extensive experience in project operations in Construction or Mechanical Engineering.
• Proven leadership across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Recognised design competence (e.g., industry certification or equivalent).
• Strong people management and accountability skills.
• Solid commercial awareness and costing understanding.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.