At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic operations across capital delivery, ensuring safety and sustainability.
- Company: Join Anglian Water, a leader in water management with a strong commitment to values.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, health care, and generous leave.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on water sustainability while leading innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or equivalent experience; strong operational management skills.
The predicted salary is between 104000 - 104000 € per year.
Location: Hybrid with Thorpe Wood House as base location
Salary: Circa £104k subject to experience
Contract Type: Permanent Full Time (Flexibility for Part Time)
At Anglian Water our values are that together, we will: Build trust, do the right thing, and we are always exploring.
About the Role
We are looking for a Head of Operational Interface to provide strategic leadership across the capital delivery lifecycle, ensuring operational needs are fully represented from concept through to delivery and aftercare. In this role, you will lead Operational Liaison and Assurance teams, acting as the critical link between Operations, Engineering, Asset Management and delivery partners. You will ensure solutions are safe, operable, viable and environmentally sustainable, with a strong focus on long-term performance and customer outcomes. This is a high-impact leadership role within the Anglian Water Engineering team, where you will influence decision-making, manage complex stakeholder relationships, and ensure operational risk is designed out wherever possible.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership and Team Management
- Reporting to the Anglian Water Engineering Director, lead and develop a team of operational and assurance leads, who are aligned to capital delivery portfolios across programmes and regions
- Ensure appropriate allocation of expertise across projects
- Foster collaboration, accountability and continuous development within the team
- Lead Operational Representation (Capital Delivery Lifecycle)
- Represent operational priorities throughout design, construction, commissioning and aftercare
- Provide expert input at key project milestones and assurance gateways (e.g. Technical Assurance Group)
- Partner with project teams and operational leaders to deliver 'best for business' outcomes
- Ensure operational readiness and seamless handover of engineering projects.
- Champion Safety in Design and Operation
- Embed a strong safety culture across all capital projects
- Ensure operational safety requirements are considered at every stage
- Support design solutions that minimise long-term operational risk
- Promote safe interaction between construction activities and live operations
- Stakeholder Engagement and Influence
- Build strong, trusted relationships across Operations, Engineering and Delivery
- Manage complex or conflicting priorities to reach effective outcomes
- Act as a visible leader across sites, maintaining close connection to operational teams
- Continuous Improvement
- Capture and embed learning from projects and operational experience
- Support the evolution of standards, processes and asset performance
- Drive innovation and benchmarking across internal and external networks
About You
We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. You may be a great fit if you bring:
- Degree in Engineering or equivalent practical experience
- Strong experience in, or awareness of, operational management within water or water recycling
- Knowledge of hazardous process environments (e.g. DSEAR, chemical handling, process safety)
- Experience working within capital delivery or large infrastructure programmes
- Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and conflict resolution skills
- Technical understanding of engineering disciplines (process, mechanical, electrical or civil)
You will also be:
- A visible and values-led leader
- Comfortable working across complex, fast-paced environments
- Solutions-focused, with strong commercial and operational awareness
- Passionate about safety, sustainability and continuous improvement
As a valued employee, you'll be entitled to:
- Personal private health care
- 25 days annual leave - rising with length of service + bank holidays.
- Flexible working
- Business use of car allowance
- Yearly bonus scheme based on company performance.
- Flexible benefits to support your wellbeing and lifestyle.
- Competitive pension scheme - Double Matched Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme up to 7%
- Generous maternity and paternity package
Our Commitment to Inclusion
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know - we are here to support you.
Closing Date: 3rd June 2026
Head of Operational Interface in Cambridge employer: Anglian Water
At Anglian Water, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic hybrid work environment based at Thorpe Wood House. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our generous benefits package, including personal private healthcare, flexible working options, and a competitive pension scheme. We foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, providing ample opportunities for professional growth while championing safety and sustainability in all our operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operational Interface in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those at Anglian Water. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research Anglian Water's projects and values. Show us how your experience aligns with their mission of safety and sustainability.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family. Get comfortable talking about your leadership style and how you handle complex stakeholder relationships.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team at Anglian Water.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operational Interface in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Operational Interface. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this is a leadership role, don’t forget to emphasise your team management and stakeholder engagement experiences. We want to see how you've successfully led teams and influenced decision-making in past roles.
Highlight Safety and Sustainability:Given our focus on safety and environmental sustainability, make sure to include any relevant experiences or projects where you’ve championed these values. We love seeing candidates who share our commitment to doing the right thing!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people and shows us you're serious about joining our team at Anglian Water.
How to prepare for a job interview at Anglian Water
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your engineering knowledge, especially around operational management in water or water recycling. Familiarise yourself with the capital delivery lifecycle and be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed complex projects in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Operational Interface, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've led teams, fostered collaboration, and driven continuous improvement in previous roles. Highlight your experience in building trust and managing stakeholder relationships.
✨Safety First
Given the emphasis on safety in this role, be prepared to discuss how you've embedded a safety culture in past projects. Share specific instances where you've ensured operational safety requirements were met and how you’ve promoted safe practices during construction activities.
✨Be Solutions-Focused
This role requires a solutions-focused mindset. Think about challenges you've faced in previous positions and how you overcame them. Be ready to discuss innovative ideas you've implemented and how they contributed to better outcomes for the business and customers.
