Operations Manager

Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd; Harrogate; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd seeks an experienced Operations Manager to lead refurbishment, planned maintenance and remediation programmes. You will own operational performance, manage budgets and sit as the primary interface with clients and delivery teams across multiple projects.

The role requires strong leadership, commercial acumen and a commitment to safety, quality and on-time delivery in a hybrid Warrington-based setup with occasional site travel.

Qualifications

• Extensive operational management experience in refurbishment/planned maintenance.
• Experience managing multiple projects/contracts simultaneously.
• Proven P&L ownership at contract/portfolio level.
• Strong commercial awareness and financial performance understanding.
• Experience managing budgets, margins, WIP and cost-to-complete.
• Proven leadership of operational teams and subcontractors.
• Excellent client-facing and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong knowledge of construction health and safety requirements.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead refurbishment, planned maintenance and remediation programmes.
• Ensure KPIs and SLAs are achieved.
• Manage resources, scheduling, productivity and completion.
• Oversee direct labour and subcontractor performance.
• Drive milestones, defect turnaround and handover.
• Mobilise new contracts and manage scope changes.
• Maintain P&L accountability, turnover and margin targets.
• Collaborate with Commercial on valuations, variations and cost-to-complete.
• Develop high-performing delivery teams and client interfaces.
• Maintain health and safety culture on all projects.

Skills

Operational leadership

P&L ownership

Client relationships

Budgeting

H&S knowledge

Team leadership

Subcontractor management

Stakeholder management

Driving licence

Job description

Operations Manager - Refurbishment & Planned Maintenance

Location: Warrington / Hybrid - travel to projects as required
Hours: 40 hours per week
Salary: Competitive + Package
Employment Type: Permanent

The Opportunity

We are working with a well-established and growing specialist contractor to recruit an experienced Operations Manager to take operational and commercial responsibility for a portfolio of refurbishment, planned maintenance and building remediation contracts.

Our client delivers complex programmes across the public and private sectors, covering refurbishment, planned maintenance, external wall remediation and energy-efficiency improvements.

With continued growth and a strong pipeline of work, they are looking for an experienced operational leader who can take ownership of contract performance while developing strong relationships with clients, delivery teams and the supply chain.

This is a senior position offering genuine autonomy, P&L responsibility and the opportunity to play an important role in the continued growth of the business.

The Role

As Operations Manager, you will take full operational and commercial ownership of a defined portfolio, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on programme, within budget and to the required quality standards.

The position carries P&L accountability, and you will act as a key operational point of contact for clients while leading and developing high-performing delivery teams.

Working closely with Commercial, Health & Safety, Resident Liaison and senior leadership teams, you will ensure contracts perform against agreed KPIs, SLAs, financial targets and customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of refurbishment, planned maintenance and building remediation programmes.
• Ensure contractual KPIs and SLAs are consistently achieved.
• Manage operational programmes including resources, scheduling, productivity and completion rates.
• Manage delivery across direct labour and subcontracted supply chains.
• Drive programme milestones, defect turnaround and handover performance.
• Oversee mobilisation of new contracts and changes in project scope.
• Hold P&L accountability, delivering against agreed turnover and margin targets.
• Work with Commercial teams on valuations, variations, cost control, WIP and cost-to-complete.
• Identify opportunities for additional works, contract growth and extensions.Act as a senior operational interface with clients, attending performance and governance meetings.
• Build strong relationships with clients, residents and key stakeholders.
• Champion a positive health and safety culture across all projects.
• Ensure compliance with CDM regulations, RAMS, permits, inductions and client requirements.
• Lead and develop operational teams, setting clear objectives and maintaining accountability.
• Manage subcontractor and supply chain performance to ensure safety, quality and programme standards are maintained.

About You

We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager with a strong background in refurbishment, planned maintenance, building remediation or a comparable construction environment.

You will combine strong operational leadership with commercial awareness and have the confidence to manage demanding client relationships while maintaining control of programme, cost, quality and safety.

You should ideally have:

• Strong operational management experience within refurbishment, planned maintenance or building remediation.
• Experience managing multiple projects or contracts simultaneously.
• Demonstrable P&L ownership at contract or portfolio level.Experience delivering programmes against demanding KPIs and SLAs.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of financial performance.
• Experience managing budgets, margins, WIP and cost-to-complete.
• Proven leadership of operational teams, supervisors and trade staff.
• Experience managing subcontractors and supply chain partners.
• Excellent client-facing and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong knowledge of construction health and safety requirements.
• Full UK driving licence.

SMSTS and NEBOSH qualifications would be advantageous, alongside membership of a relevant professional body such as CIOB or RICS.

Experience of contract mobilisation, TUPE transfers, asbestos, fire safety and building safety compliance would also be beneficial.

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity to join an established contractor at an exciting stage of growth.

Our client has a growing portfolio of refurbishment, planned maintenance and building remediation work and is continuing to invest in its operational capability.

The successful Operations Manager will have genuine autonomy and the opportunity to influence how contracts are delivered, develop high-performing teams and contribute directly to the commercial success of the business.

For an experienced Operations Manager looking for greater responsibility, commercial influence and long-term progression, this represents an excellent opportunity to join an ambitious and expanding business.