Senior Operations Manager

Network Plus; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Plus in Birmingham seeks a Senior Operations Manager to own the operational delivery of HS2 projects, leading safety, quality and on-time performance across multiple sections. You will drive productivity, profitability and stakeholder satisfaction while managing a broad operations team and supply chain partners.

You will own CDM compliance, oversee subcontractors, and coordinate with commercial functions to maximise value, controls costs and deliver P&L targets in a complex framework.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience within infrastructure, construction, rail, highways or utilities sectors.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale projects within major frameworks (HS2, National Highways, Network Rail or similar).
• Strong experience managing operational delivery teams and subcontractor networks.
• Demonstrable record of delivering projects safely, on time and within budget.
• Strong commercial awareness with P&L responsibility.
• Excellent stakeholder management and client relationship experience.
• Knowledge of CDM Regulations and construction health and safety requirements.
• SMSTS qualification; CSCS Black Card desirable.
• Knowledge of fencing, civils or infrastructure construction activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across all HS2 operational delivery activities.
• Lead and develop Operations Managers, Project Managers, Site Managers and Supervisors.
• Own operational safety performance and HS2 compliance.
• Ensure works are delivered in line with programme, budget and contractual obligations.
• Build relationships with HS2 stakeholders, principal contractors and partners.
• Oversee subcontractor performance for safe, high‑quality delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Coordinate resource planning including labour, plant, materials, and supply chain partners.
• Monitor project performance through KPI reporting and reviews.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to maximise value and control costs.
• Ensure environmental, sustainability and social value commitments are met.
• Support tendering, mobilisation and growth opportunities across HS2.
• Lead incident investigations and embed lessons learned.
• Promote right-first-time quality and provide regular leadership updates.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Project delivery

Health and safety

Budgeting / P&L

Planning & people management

Excel / reporting

Driving licence

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

MS Outlook

Job description

Description

As Senior Operations Manager, you will take overall responsibility for the operational delivery of Littlewood Fencing's HS2 projects.

You will lead all operational activities across multiple sections, ensuring fencing, and associated civil works are delivered safely, on programme, and to the highest quality standards.

A crucial part of the role is ownership of operational safety and compliance, ensuring all activities are delivered in accordance with HS2 requirements, and client specifications.

Working closely with HS2 principal contractors, project teams, commercial functions, and supply chain partners, you will drive performance, productivity, customer satisfaction, and profitability while maintaining a strong focus on health, safety and environmental excellence.

Department:

Littlewood

Location:

Birmingham

Compensation:

£70,000 - £90,000 / year

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across all HS2 operational delivery activities.
• Lead and develop Operations Managers, Project Managers, Site Managers and Supervisors.
• Own operational safety performance, ensuring compliance with HS2 requirements and Network Plus standards.
• Ensure all works are delivered in line with programme, budget and contractual obligations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with HS2 stakeholders, principal contractors and framework partners.
• Oversee subcontractor performance, ensuring safe, high-quality and cost-effective delivery.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, quality and operational excellence.
• Ensure adequate resource planning including labour, plant, materials and supply chain partners.
• Monitor project performance through KPI reporting and operational reviews.
• Work closely with commercial teams to maximise value recovery, control costs and achieve contract P&L targets.
• Ensure all works comply with environmental, sustainability and social value commitments.
• Support tendering, mobilisation and project growth opportunities across the HS2 framework.
• Lead incident investigations and ensure lessons learned are embedded across operations.
• Promote a right-first-time approach and ensure quality standards are consistently achieved.
• Provide regular updates and reports to senior leadership teams.

Experience and Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience within infrastructure, construction, rail, highways or utilities sectors.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale projects within major frameworks such as HS2, National Highways, Network Rail or other major infrastructure programmes.
• Strong experience managing operational delivery teams and subcontractor supply chains.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering projects safely, on time and within budget.
• Strong commercial awareness with responsibility for P&L performance.
• Excellent stakeholder management and client relationship experience.
• Detailed knowledge of CDM Regulations and construction health and safety requirements.
• SMSTS qualification.
• CSCS Black Card (desirable).
• Knowledge of fencing, security, civils or infrastructure construction activities.
• Strong planning, people management and leadership skills.
• Experience of driving continuous improvement and operational efficiencies.
• Good computer literacy, including Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and operational reporting systems, with the ability to produce reports, analyse data and manage project documentation effectively
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Preferred HS2-Specific Experience

• Experience working within the HS2 supply chain.
• Knowledge of HS2 standards, assurance requirements and permit systems.
• Experience managing works across complex, environmentally sensitive construction sites.
• Understanding of sustainability, social value and environmental commitments associated with major infrastructure projects.

Salary and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary based on experience along with a full benefits package including bonus and car/car allowance.

Network Plus is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.

We are Armed Forces-friendly. We welcome applications from ex-Armed Forces personnel, reservists, armed forces veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.

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