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- Tasks: Lead operations for water supply, ensuring safety and efficiency across your area.
- Company: Thames Water is the UK's largest water and wastewater company, serving over 16 million customers.
- Benefits: Enjoy a salary up to £65,000, 26-30 days holiday, car allowance, and private healthcare.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while fostering a diverse and collaborative workplace.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership experience, strategic thinking, and a commitment to health and safety required.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to building a sustainable future for all.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 78000 £ per year.
We are looking for an Area Operations Manager to join Thames Water on a full-time, permanent basis. In this exciting and high-profile position, you will have the opportunity to play a key role in creating and delivering ‘life’s essential service’ of water supply for our millions of customers and the communities we serve, both today and in the future.
Your role is vital in ensuring that all operational activity is carried out by Thames Water and 3rd party contractors in a safe, timely, and efficient manner with a zero-compromise approach to health, safety, and public health. You will be responsible for the operational and financial performance, managing a budget of up to £5m and serving a customer base of around 1 million. It will be your responsibility to ensure that outputs support Thames Water’s Outcome Delivery Incentives set by the regulator. Your leadership should demonstrate behaviours fully aligned with Thames Water's vision and values.
You must proactively monitor and manage operational and financial risks across your area, ensuring adherence to health and safety and Streetworks legislations, with zero costs incurred due to failed operational processes or policies. The services you provide will help reduce leakage, ensure a reliable supply, respond effectively to customer needs, and improve environmental conditions.
You will build relationships with our people, focusing on improving engagement, providing development opportunities, and fostering a culture of collaboration and diversity. You will also engage with communities to nurture local talent. You will collaborate with stakeholders at various levels within the business and with contractors to ensure your area thrives today and is prepared for future risks and opportunities across safety, public health, customer service, people, finance, and asset performance.
Your decisions will enable future planning, investment, and risk mitigation, working closely with asset management teams for seamless asset risk management and investment planning. Your team will consist of up to 30-40 people, with 7-10 direct reports across locations in London and Thames Valley.
What should you bring to the role?
- Excellent operations site leadership experience in a performance-driven, changing environment.
- Strategic thinking and commercial acumen to meet operational targets.
- Strong communication skills, resilience, and tenacity.
- Experience leading and developing large geographical teams.
- Experience managing contractor relationships.
- An uncompromising approach to Health, Safety, and Wellbeing.
- Customer service orientation.
- Experience in operational management and event response leadership.
What’s in it for you?
- Salary up to £65,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
- 26 days holiday, increasing to 30 with service, plus bank holidays.
- Car Allowance.
- Annual Bonus.
- Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
- Private Medical Healthcare.
- Enhanced Paternity and Maternity Leave benefits.
- Additional health and wellbeing benefits, including physiotherapy, counselling, and more.
We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, serving over 16 million customers daily. We aim to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. We seek passionate, skilled individuals committed to making a difference.
Thames Water offers a rewarding, diverse workplace where every day you can make a difference. We provide career growth, flexible working, and excellent benefits. Whether in call centres or science labs, we value your passion and desire to improve. If you seek a sustainable career where you can impact millions and protect water resources, join us. We support your development every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, region, and planet.
We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer. We welcome applications from everyone and support applicants throughout the process. We aim to remove barriers to success—if you need assistance, we’re here to help.
During crises, we rally to support our customers. Join our team as an ambassador, with full training, to support frontline efforts. It’s a rewarding opportunity to learn more about our business and colleagues.
Disclaimer: Due to high application volume, we may close the advert early. Apply soon to avoid missing out.
Area Operations Manager employer: idibu
Contact Detail:
idibu Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Area Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Thames Water's vision and values. Understanding their commitment to health, safety, and customer service will help you align your approach during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Thames Water. Engaging with them can provide insights into the company culture and expectations for the Area Operations Manager role, which can be invaluable during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing large teams and contractor relationships. Be ready to share specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and how you've successfully navigated challenges in operational management.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on industry trends related to water supply and environmental sustainability. Showing your knowledge about current issues and innovations in the sector can set you apart as a candidate who is proactive and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Area Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in operations management, particularly in performance-driven environments. Emphasise your leadership skills and any experience managing large teams or contractor relationships.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and Thames Water's mission. Discuss how your strategic thinking and commercial acumen align with their operational targets, and provide examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past.
Highlight Health and Safety Commitment: Given the importance of health, safety, and wellbeing in this role, be sure to include specific examples of how you have maintained high safety standards in previous positions. This will demonstrate your uncompromising approach to these critical areas.
Showcase Communication Skills: Strong communication is key for this position. Use your application to illustrate how you've effectively engaged with stakeholders at various levels, and how you've fostered collaboration and diversity within your teams.
How to prepare for a job interview at idibu
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Area Operations Manager, you'll be leading a team of 30-40 people. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed large teams in the past, focusing on engagement and development.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
This role requires strong strategic thinking and commercial acumen. Prepare to discuss how you've met operational targets in previous roles and how you plan to apply that experience to Thames Water's objectives.
✨Emphasise Health and Safety Commitment
With a zero-compromise approach to health and safety being crucial, be ready to share specific instances where you've prioritised health and safety in your operations. This will show your alignment with Thames Water's values.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Scenarios
You'll need to collaborate with various stakeholders, including contractors and community members. Think of examples where you've successfully built relationships and engaged with different parties to achieve operational success.
