Operations Performance Manager

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Witney; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK water utility provider is hiring an Operations Performance Manager based in Witney. This role includes overseeing multiple Sewage Treatment Works and leading a team of technicians. Key responsibilities involve optimizing day-to-day operations, ensuring compliance, and managing financial performance while fostering a strong Health & Safety culture. The ideal candidate will have extensive leadership experience and be able to drive team development and engagement. Competitive pay and excellent benefits are provided.

Benefits

Competitive salary up to £45,000

26 days holiday per year

Health and wellbeing benefits

Generous parental leave

Qualifications

• Experience managing an operational team effectively.
• Proven track record of developing, coaching, motivating, and engaging a team.
• Ability to adapt and make decisions in a rapid-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of multiple Sewage Treatment Works.
• Drive performance management and financial efficiencies.
• Ensure exceptional service to customers.

Skills

Strong leadership skills

Excellent communication

Health & Safety management

Data analysis (Excel/Word/PowerPoint)

Education

IOSH or equivalent qualification

Job description

Job title Operations Performance Manager Ref 40552 Division Asset Operations & Capital Delivery Location Witney - OX28 5JH Contract type Permanent Full/Part-time Full-time Hours 36 hours per week Salary Competitive salary up to £45,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience Job grade B Closing date 14/01/2026

We’re looking for an Operations Performance Manager to oversee up to 15 Sewage Treatment Works and lead a team of up to 12 technicians across the Witney area.

You’ll be responsible for the day-to-day operation and performance of your sites, driving improvements that protect the environment and enhance service for our customers. Strong leadership, motivation, and empathy are key to building a positive team culture.

You’ll be based at Witney STW, travelling between sites, so a driving licence and vehicle are essential.

The role is 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with participation in an out-of-hours rota for escalations.

Join our Thames Valley North Wastewater Operations Team and build a rewarding career at the heart of frontline operations.

What will you be doing as an Operations Performance Manager

• Health and Safety – This is our number 1 priority for everyone in our team, and you will effectively lead the Health & Safety culture of the team as well, driving and creating an environment where good practices are a way of everyday life and total compliance is adhered to.
• Process Management – We need to protect our environment, and we are looking for someone who can effectively manage our Sewage Treatment Works site compliance by ensuring the site achieves and maintains its required plant availability and reliability to meet quality targets set by our regulator.
• Performance Management – Driving the team to achieve optimal performance in terms of work management, along with being responsible for developing the team and introducing new skills and Health & Safety awareness.
• Financial Management – owning and managing the budgetary and financial activities of the team and driving efficiencies into the overall operational budget.
• Customer & Stakeholder Management - ensuring an exceptional service to our customers with early personal interventions as required.

What should you bring to the role?

• Experience of successfully managing an operational team, being able to demonstrate strong leadership skills and the ability to develop, coach, motivate and engage a team. Connecting and collaborating intensively within your team and across the organisation.
• Experience of leading and demanding a Health & Safety culture, driving and creating an environment where good practices are a way of everyday life and total compliance is adhered to.
• Ideally, you will be IOSH or equivalent qualified.
• A leader with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to listen and offer sound feedback. A vision for the business and the wider team, the ability to adapt and be decisive in a rapid-paced environment.
• Proven track record of raising the standards within a team.
• Computer literate. Be able to analyse data on Microsoft Packages such as Excel/Word / and PowerPoint.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £45,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
• 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
• Generous Paternity Leave, including 4 weeks paid and an optional 2 weeks unpaid.
• Enhanced Maternity Leave, 26 weeks full pay and 13 weeks half pay!
• Ongoing performance development reviews to help you be your best and identify growth opportunities.

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else, just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.