Operations Manager

NECTO Search & Selection; Northern Ireland; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

NECTO Search & Selection is assisting an established contractor to appoint an experienced Operations Manager for energy infrastructure and electrical utilities projects. The role demands leadership across multiple sites, driving safe delivery, resource planning and client satisfaction.

The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record in operational management, project leadership and commercial awareness, with a strong background in electrical engineering and utilities.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in electrical engineering, utilities or energy infrastructure.
• Proven track record in operational management and senior project leadership.
• Strong understanding of project planning, resource management and risk.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operational activities to deliver projects safely and to standards.
• Lead project delivery teams with clear KPIs and performance reviews.
• Manage contractual obligations, tender submissions and client deliverables.
• Monitor programmes, milestones and deadlines with proactive delivery actions.
• Provide regular updates to senior management on progress and risks.
• Drive continuous improvement in productivity and delivery methods.
• Lead a culture of health, safety and wellbeing across operations.
• Maintain strong client relationships and manage stakeholder expectations.

Skills

Operational management

Project delivery

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Job description

Operations Manager – Energy Infrastructure & Electrical Utilities

Sector: Energy Infrastructure / Electrical Utilities / Specialist Engineering

Position: Operations Manager

Reporting to: Managing Director

The Opportunity

We are working with an established engineering contractor operating across the energy infrastructure, electrical utilities and specialist works sectors to appoint an experienced Operations Manager.

This is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing operational performance, project delivery, resource management and service standards across multiple projects and business activities.

The successful candidate will play a key role in driving operational efficiency, developing high-performing teams and ensuring projects are delivered safely, commercially and in accordance with client expectations.

The position requires a commercially aware, delivery-focused individual with a strong background in electrical engineering, utilities or energy infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Strategy

• Oversee day-to-day operational activities, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to the required standards.
• Lead, manage and develop project delivery teams, establishing clear responsibilities, performance expectations and measurable KPIs.
• Ensure a comprehensive understanding of contractual obligations, tender submissions, project specifications and client deliverables.
• Monitor project programmes, milestones and deadlines, taking proactive measures to maintain delivery schedules.
• Establish effective reporting structures, performance reviews and accountability across operational teams.
• Work closely with senior management to develop and implement operational improvements.

Project Delivery & Performance

• Take responsibility for the successful execution of projects, ensuring contractual requirements and client expectations are achieved.
• Provide regular operational and performance updates to the Managing Director, highlighting progress, challenges and corrective actions.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, project delivery methods and overall operational effectiveness.
• Ensure project teams are appropriately briefed, supported and equipped to deliver their responsibilities.
• Promote value engineering and continuous improvement initiatives across projects.
• Challenge existing processes constructively to improve service quality and business performance.

Commercial & Resource Management

• Drive operational efficiency and productivity across all projects and associated teams.
• Manage resource allocation, workforce planning and project requirements to ensure effective utilisation of personnel.
• Identify additional staffing, technical expertise or specialist resources required to support project delivery.
• Support commercial performance through effective planning, resource management and operational decision-making.
• Ensure deliverables are completed to the required standards of quality, accuracy and timeliness.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, leading project meetings, presentations and operational discussions.
• Identify, assess and manage operational and project-related risks throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Maintain effective risk registers, mitigation plans and contingency measures.
• Develop processes for identifying potential delivery challenges and implementing preventative actions.
• Promote a strong health, safety and wellbeing culture across all operational activities.
• Ensure project teams maintain appropriate standards of compliance, accountability and risk awareness.

People Management & Development

• Lead, mentor and develop site management, engineering and project delivery teams.
• Establish clear performance objectives and conduct regular reviews to support individual and team development.
• Encourage knowledge sharing, collaboration and continuous professional development.
• Build a culture of accountability, high performance and operational excellence.
• Develop strong working relationships across internal teams, senior management, clients and external stakeholders.

Experience & Requirements

• Significant experience within the electrical engineering, utilities or energy infrastructure sectors.
• Proven track record in operational management, project delivery or senior project leadership.
• Strong understanding of project planning, resource management, contractual obligations and operational performance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage competing project priorities.
• Experience managing client relationships and engaging with senior stakeholders.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify opportunities for improved efficiency and productivity.
• Excellent understanding of health, safety and risk management within engineering or infrastructure environments.
• Strong leadership, communication and people management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, teams and operational priorities simultaneously.
• Results-driven approach with a focus on project delivery, quality and client satisfaction.
• Excellent organisational, problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to challenge existing processes and implement practical improvements.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Commitment to mentoring and developing high-performing operational teams.

The Ideal Candidate

We are particularly interested in speaking with experienced Operations Managers, Senior Project Managers or Contracts Managers who have progressed through the electrical utilities or energy infrastructure sectors and are comfortable taking ownership of operational performance.

The successful individual will combine strong technical and project delivery knowledge with the leadership capability to manage teams, improve business processes and maintain excellent client relationships.

This opportunity would suit someone who enjoys taking responsibility, driving performance and playing a meaningful role in the continued development of an engineering business.

The Role's Overall Objective

To lead and strengthen operational delivery across energy infrastructure and specialist engineering projects, building high-performing site management and engineering teams while maintaining exceptional standards of safety, quality, efficiency and client service.