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- Tasks: Lead operational strategy and drive transformation in water services.
- Company: Join South Staffs Water, committed to delivering high-quality water to communities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £120k plus excellent package and travel opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of water services while ensuring sustainability and innovation.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in operations management, ideally in utilities or water sector.
- Other info: Opportunity to engage with regulators and drive financial performance.
The predicted salary is between 84000 - 120000 £ per year.
Operations Director – South Staffs Water
Location: Green Lane, Walsall
Remuneration: £120k + negotiable DOE plus excellent package
Travel : 30%+
Lead the Future of Water Operations
At South Staffs Water, delivering safe, reliable, and high-quality water to our communities is at the heart of what we do. As Operations Director , you will take full accountability for our operational strategy, driving transformation, resilience, and efficiency across our water production, treatment, and distribution services.
This is a pivotal leadership role, offering the opportunity to shape the future of water services in a regulated environment while ensuring the highest standards of service, sustainability, and innovation.
Why Join Us?
- Lead at scale – Oversee multi-region operations, ensuring high performance and reliability.
- Drive transformation – Implement cutting-edge technologies, automation, and digital strategies.
- Make an impact – Enhance water sustainability, resilience, and regulatory compliance.
- Build a high-performing team – Inspire and develop a culture of accountability, safety, and excellence.
Your Role
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will:
- Deliver our safety culture – lead and continuously improve our safety culture
- Shape operational strategy – Lead transformational change to optimise infrastructure and service delivery.
- Ensure operational excellence – Maintain best-in-class water production, treatment, and distribution while exceeding regulatory and customer expectations.
- Champion innovation – Drive digitalisation, automation, and smart technology adoption to sustainability enhance efficiency.
- Strengthen resilience – Develop business continuity plans, asset optimisation strategies, and environmental sustainability initiatives.
- Engage with regulators – Act as the primary operational representative, ensuring compliance with Ofwat, DWI, and the Environment Agency.
- Drive financial performance – Deliver cost efficiencies while ensuring sustainable investment in operations.
What We\’re Looking For
We need a strategic and hands-on leader with deep expertise in operations management within water, utilities, or another regulated industry. You will bring:
- Extensive senior leadership experience in large-scale operations, ideally in the utility or water sector, with experience in leading, developing and supporting large teams.
- Technical expertise in chemically driven treatment and asset management.
- Proven ability to drive transformation through innovation, digitalisation, and process improvement.
- Regulatory knowledge and experience engaging with regulators and industry bodies
- Commitment to health, safety, and environmental compliance.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
- Financial acumen, with a track record of delivering efficiencies and cost-effective solutions.
Your Background
- Degree in Engineering, Water Management, Operations Management, or a related field (essential).
- Chartered status with a relevant professional institution (desirable).
- Leadership or management qualification (desirable).
- NEBOSH or IOSH qualification (desirable).
Ready to Lead?
If you are a forward-thinking operational leader with the ambition and expertise to drive excellence, this is your opportunity to make a real impact.
Join South Staffs Water and play a key role in shaping a sustainable and resilient future for water services.
Operations Director employer: South Staffs Water
Contact Detail:
South Staffs Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the latest trends and technologies in water operations. Understanding innovations in digitalization and automation will not only enhance your knowledge but also demonstrate your commitment to driving transformation in the industry.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with current and former employees of South Staffs Water on platforms like LinkedIn. This can provide you with valuable insights into the company culture and operational challenges, helping you tailor your approach during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with regulatory compliance and stakeholder management. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated these areas in previous roles, as they are crucial for the Operations Director position.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership style by highlighting instances where you've built high-performing teams. Discuss how you inspire accountability and safety, as these qualities align closely with the expectations for this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Operations Director position. Understand the key responsibilities and required qualifications, and think about how your experience aligns with these.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to highlight relevant experience in operations management, particularly within the water or utilities sector. Emphasize your leadership roles and any achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive transformation and innovation.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also conveys your passion for water sustainability and operational excellence. Use specific examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you can contribute to South Staffs Water's mission.
Highlight Regulatory Knowledge: Make sure to mention your experience with regulatory compliance and stakeholder engagement. This is crucial for the role, so provide examples of how you've successfully navigated regulatory environments in your previous positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at South Staffs Water
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Be prepared to discuss your extensive senior leadership experience in large-scale operations, particularly in the utility or water sector. Highlight specific examples where you successfully led teams and drove transformation.
✨Demonstrate Technical Expertise
Make sure to articulate your technical knowledge in chemically driven treatment and asset management. Discuss how this expertise has contributed to operational excellence in your previous roles.
✨Engage with Regulatory Knowledge
Familiarize yourself with the regulatory landscape, including Ofwat, DWI, and the Environment Agency. Be ready to share experiences where you effectively engaged with regulators and ensured compliance.
✨Emphasize Financial Acumen
Prepare to discuss your financial acumen and provide examples of how you've delivered cost efficiencies and implemented sustainable investment strategies in operations.
