Operations Manager – Water

Jobtailor; Reading; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced Water Operations professional to own network operations across the Southern region from connection to end user, ensuring safe, compliant and reliable service.

The role requires coordinating maintenance, asset records, and working with internal teams and contractors, with occasional out-of-hours coverage to support emergencies.

Qualifications

• Strong water industry experience, with specialised knowledge of clean water and wastewater assets.
• Proven track record of managing water utility assets and supporting safe, compliant and reliable service delivery.
• Good understanding of the wider utility industry, health and safety management, audit activity and regulatory standards.
• Confident using systems, maintaining accurate records and producing clear operational reports.
• Able to manage competing priorities, respond to urgent timeframes and work collaboratively with internal teams, contractors and third parties.

Responsibilities

• Taking ownership of water network operations across the Southern region, from point of connection through to end user.
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, licence obligations, internal standards and operational controls.
• Managing planned maintenance, reactive activity, asset condition reporting, risks, incidents and mitigation actions.
• Maintaining accurate asset information, mapping records, as-built drawings and emergency response plans.
• Overseeing contractor activities, site inspections, audits and handover requirements for new assets.
• Working collaboratively with Project Delivery, Point of Connection and wastewater adoption teams.
• Supporting the UK Water Operations Manager with operational reporting, enquiries and continuous improvement activity.
• Taking part in out-of-hours emergency cover as required.

Job description

Responsibilities

• Taking ownership of water network operations across the Southern region, from point of connection through to end user.
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, licence obligations, internal standards and operational controls.
• Managing planned maintenance, reactive activity, asset condition reporting, risks, incidents and mitigation actions.
• Maintaining accurate asset information, mapping records, as-built drawings and emergency response plans.
• Overseeing contractor activities, site inspections, audits and handover requirements for new assets.
• Working collaboratively with Project Delivery, Point of Connection and wastewater adoption teams.
• Supporting the UK Water Operations Manager with operational reporting, enquiries and continuous improvement activity.
• Taking part in out-of-hours emergency cover as required.

Qualifications

• Strong water industry experience, with specialised knowledge of clean water and wastewater assets.
• Proven track record of managing water utility assets and supporting safe, compliant and reliable service delivery.
• Good understanding of the wider utility industry, health and safety management, audit activity and regulatory standards.
• Confident using systems, maintaining accurate records and producing clear operational reports.
• Able to manage competing priorities, respond to urgent timeframes and work collaboratively with internal teams, contractors and third parties.