Operations Manager - Construction

Avocet recruitment ltd; Weston-super-Mare; On-site; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Avocet recruitment ltd in North Somerset seeks an experienced Operations Manager to lead multiple construction projects from award to handover. You will oversee planning, coordination and delivery, ensuring safety, profitability and quality across a portfolio typically £500k to £1 million, with individual contracts ranging from £150k to £10-15 million.

The role requires strong leadership, people management and client relationship building, with travel to sites and overseeing 20-30 projects per

Qualifications

• Strong background in construction project management or operational delivery.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities and demanding programmes.
• Demonstrable experience leading, motivating and developing project delivery teams.
• Sound understanding of construction methodologies, sequencing, procurement and site operations.
• Good commercial awareness, including project budgets, contractual obligations, cost control and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Take overall operational responsibility for the successful delivery of multiple construction projects from contract award through to completion and final handover.
• Oversee the planning, coordination and execution of projects, ensuring delivery in accordance with contractual requirements, agreed programmes, budgets and quality standards.
• Provide direction and support to Project Managers, ensuring clear accountability for programme, cost, resources and project performance.
• Monitor progress across the project portfolio, identifying potential delays, operational risks and resource constraints, and implementing appropriate corrective action.
• Ensure effective coordination between design, detailing, procurement, fabrication, commercial and site installation teams.
• Maintain visibility of project performance through regular operational meetings, reporting and site visits.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Commercial awareness

People management

Client relationships

Education

Construction/Engineering qualification

Job description

Operations Manager - Specialist Construction

Salary: Circa £80,000 Depending on experience

Location: North Somerset with light travel to sites/clients

Reporting to: MD

Department: Operations /Senior Management Team

The Opportunity

The client is seeking to appoint an experienced and commercially aware Operations Manager to take responsibility for the leadership, coordination and successful delivery of its construction projects.

This is a key management appointment within an established specialist contracting business, requiring an individual who can combine strong operational oversight with excellent people management, commercial awareness and a practical understanding of construction delivery.

The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing a varied portfolio of projects, typically ranging from £500,000 to £1 million, although individual contracts can range from approximately £150,000 to £10-15 million.

The business typically delivers 20-30 projects annually, with approximately 8-10 projects live on site at any one time.

The role requires an individual capable of managing multiple priorities, supporting project teams, developing client relationships and ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, profitably and to the required standards.

Applications are welcomed from experienced construction professionals working for regional main contractors, Tier 1 contractors or specialist subcontractors who possess the necessary leadership skills and technical understanding.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Management & Project Delivery

Take overall operational responsibility for the successful delivery of multiple construction projects from contract award through to completion and final handover.

Oversee the planning, coordination and execution of projects, ensuring delivery in accordance with contractual requirements, agreed programmes, budgets and quality standards.

Provide direction and support to Project Managers, ensuring clear accountability for programme, cost, resources and project performance.

Monitor progress across the project portfolio, identifying potential delays, operational risks and resource constraints, and implementing appropriate corrective action.

Ensure effective coordination between design, detailing, procurement, fabrication, commercial and site installation teams.

Maintain visibility of project performance through regular operational meetings, reporting and site visits.

Support project teams in resolving complex technical, contractual and operational challenges.

Drive consistency in project delivery, promoting effective processes, procedures and operational best practice.

Other responsibilites

• Work closely with the commercial team to ensure projects achieve agreed financial and contractual objectives.
• Maintain oversight of project budgets, cost reporting, cash flow, variations and commercial risks.
• Review project performance against forecasts, identifying potential margin erosion and opportunities for improvement.
• Support Project Managers and commercial colleagues in the management of contractual issues, variations and client negotiations.
• Ensure appropriate commercial controls are maintained throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support the pre-construction and estimating teams in reviewing potential projects, programmes, buildability, methodology and resource requirements.
• Assess project risks, delivery constraints and resource availability prior to contract commitment.
• Ensure effective handover from estimating and pre-construction into the project delivery team.
• Work with design, fabrication and site teams to develop realistic programmes and delivery strategies.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with existing main contractor clients and other key stakeholders.
• Attend key client meetings, progress reviews and operational discussions as required.
• Ensure the business consistently delivers a professional, reliable and solutions-focused service.
• Identify opportunities for repeat business through successful project delivery and proactive relationship management.
• Work closely with senior leadership to strengthen the company's reputation and long-term client relationships.

Candidate Profile

Regional Main Contractor

An experienced Contracts Manager, Senior Project Manager or Operations Manager accustomed to overseeing multiple projects, managing project teams and maintaining strong relationships with clients and subcontractors.

Tier 1/2 Main Contractor

An established Project Manager or Senior Project Manager with experience delivering complex construction projects, ideally incorporating structural steel frames, who is looking to move into a broader operational leadership role within a specialist contractor.

Specialist Contractor

An experienced Project Manager, Senior Project Manager, Contracts Manager or Operations Manager with direct knowledge of new build projects - seeking an opportunity to take greater responsibility for people, operations and business performance.

Essential Experience & Capabilities

• Strong background in construction project management or operational delivery.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities and demanding programmes.
• Demonstrable experience leading, motivating and developing project delivery teams.
• Sound understanding of construction methodologies, sequencing, procurement and site operations.
• Good commercial awareness, including project budgets, contractual obligations, cost control and risk management.
• Confidence dealing with main contractors, clients, consultants and internal stakeholders.
• Experience working for a specialist subcontractor or managing specialist subcontract packages.
• Understanding of design coordination, fabrication processes and site erection methodologies.
• Experience overseeing a portfolio of projects simultaneously.
• Relevant construction, engineering or project management qualifications.

Personal Attributes

• Leadership: The confidence and authority to make decisions, establish expectations and hold teams accountable.
• People development: A genuine interest in coaching, supporting and developing colleagues.
• Mental agility: The ability to process information quickly, manage competing demands and solve problems effectively.
• Commercial judgement: An appreciation of the financial implications of operational decisions.
• Communication: The ability to engage effectively with clients, senior management and site teams.
• Adaptability: A willingness to learn new technical disciplines and respond constructively to changing project requirements.
• Ownership: A proactive attitude and a willingness to take responsibility for results.

What the Role Offers

This is an opportunity to join an established specialist construction business in a senior operational position with genuine responsibility and influence.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead an experienced team, strengthen operational performance, develop long-term client relationships and contribute to the future development of the business.

The appointment may particularly appeal to an ambitious Contracts Manager or Senior Project Manager seeking a broader leadership role, or an existing Operations Manager looking for an opportunity to make a more direct impact within a specialist contractor