Operative Development Manager

Ipsum; East Grinstead; Remote; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

28 days holiday including bank holiday

£1000 referral bonus

Company Pension Scheme

Career development and funded pro­fess

24/7 virtual GP

Mental health support

Cycle to Work

Employee discount platform

Life Assurance

Enhanced Maternity Pay

Long Service Awards

Paid volunteering opportunities

Job summary

Ipsum is seeking an experienced Operative Development Manager for our Northwest Water team, based at Haydock/Warrington sites. The role focuses on upskilling operatives, integrating new workers, and delivering comprehensive training programs on-site and off-site.

You will lead a capability-driven approach, develop a structured development framework, and partner with the Operations team to ensure a highly trained, multi-skilled workforce while supporting career progression and professional

Qualifications

• Significant leadership and people management experience.
• Ability to build and develop high-performing teams across the business.
• Experience delivering training programs and coordinating development initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate in-house training to align operatives with Technical Development Frameworks.
• Accompany operatives on-site to enhance practical knowledge and skills.
• Organize on-site training showcasing drainage-related tasks (infiltration, repairs, CCTV, etc.).
• Oversee off-site training focusing on compliance, paperwork, and client systems.
• Collaborate with the PMO to manage external mandatory training requirements.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Training & development

Coaching

Communication

Job description

Operative Development Manager

Location: Haydock / Warrington - Northwest Sites

Employment type: Full Time, Permanent

Salary: Inclusive of car allowance

Working Hours: Monday to Friday

We’re looking for an experienced Operative Development Manager to join our growing Northwest Water team!

The Operative Development Manager (ODM) will be responsible for enhancing the knowledge, skills, and overall growth of operatives within the workforce. This role will focus on upskilling existing employees, integrating new skilled & non-skilled workers, and ensuring a steady influx of well-trained operatives. The ODM will develop and implement training programs, instil a strong work ethic, and oversee both on-site and off-site training initiatives.

What’s in it for you…

We believe in looking after our people, and it shows. When you join Ipsum, you’re not just taking a job — you’re starting a career with real support behind it.

• Competitive Salary with overtime opportunities
• 28 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays + option to buy up to 5 additional days
• Know someone great? Refer them to us and receive a £1000 for every referral*
• Company Pension Scheme
• Career development and funded professional qualifications
• 24/7 virtual GP access
• Mental health support & counselling services
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Employee discount platform with savings on supermarkets, gyms, mobile phones and more
• Life Assurance cover
• Enhanced Maternity Pay
• Long Service Awards
• Paid volunteering opportunities

What you’ll be doing

Training & Development:

• Facilitate in-house training to align operatives with the company’s Technical Development Frameworks.
• Accompany operatives on-site to enhance practical knowledge and skills.
• Organize on-site training for operatives to observe various aspects of drainage, including infiltration, repairs, CCTV surveys, etc.
• Oversee off-site training focused on compliance, software systems, paperwork completion, vehicle audits, and client systems.
• Collaborate with the PMO team to manage external mandatory training requirements.

Skill & Knowledge Enhancement:

• Instil a positive work ethic, ensuring operatives take pride in high‑quality work and proper equipment maintenance.

• Develop a training program suitable for non-skilled, semi-skilled, and skilled operatives.
• Use a Capability Matrix to track and manage employee training and skill development.
• Ensure all operatives achieve the first level of the matrix, aiming for a highly trained, multi‑skilled workforce.

Operational Support:

• Work closely with industry professionals and the Operations team to align training initiatives with Ipsum’s ethos.
• Coordinate with Severn Trent Training Centre for specialised training sessions.
• Attend external specialist courses provided by manufacturers to gain relevant skill sets.
• Ensure a universal approach where operatives can work across various platforms and job types.

What we’re looking for:

Ideally, you’ll bring previous experience in a similar role, a safety‑focused approach to work as well as:

• Significant leadership and people management skills and an ability to build and develop high performing teams from across the business and
• Coach and mentor as appropriate
• Well‑developed communication and interpersonal skills

Our commitment to Equal Opportunities...

We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences, and we’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.
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