At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead network maintenance, ensuring safety and compliance while managing budgets and contractors.
- Company: Well-established organisation committed to operational excellence and employee growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, enhanced pension, life assurance, and generous leave policies.
- Other info: On-site role with strong career development opportunities and supportive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Engineering degree and 5 years' experience in a regulated infrastructure setting.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 53000 € per year.
Location: Northern Ireland
Hours: Full-time, permanent (37 hours per week)
Salary: £43,000 – £53,000 per annum
Apple Recruitment is delighted to partner with a well‑established and highly regarded organisation operating within a regulated infrastructure environment. The organisation is recognised for its commitment to operational excellence and for fostering a supportive, inclusive workplace where employees are encouraged to grow, contribute ideas, and drive continuous improvement.
The Network Operations Manager – Network Maintenance is a senior operational role responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant maintenance of a regional infrastructure network. The role focuses on ensuring assets are reliable, well maintained, and compliant with safety, quality, and regulatory standards. You will lead the delivery of operational maintenance programmes, manage contractors and budgets, oversee risk and performance management, and contribute to longer‑term asset planning and improvement initiatives. The role offers exposure to innovation and future‑focused developments as the network evolves to meet changing industry and sustainability requirements.
Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will work closely with engineering, regulatory, and operational colleagues and play a key role in ensuring that maintenance activities support both day‑to‑day operations and longer‑term strategic objectives.
Key Accountabilities
- Lead and manage network maintenance and repair activities, ensuring assets meet safety, reliability, and performance objectives
- Oversee the delivery of operational (Opex) and capital (Capex) programmes, ensuring work is completed on time, within budget, and to required technical and quality standards
- Manage principal contractors and suppliers, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, safety requirements, and contractual obligations
- Provide accurate operational data and analysis to support regulatory and performance reporting
- Monitor, audit, and continuously improve safety, quality, productivity, and maintenance strategies
- Analyse asset performance, incidents, and failure trends, implementing corrective actions and preventative improvements
- Provide technical and operational input into asset planning, prioritisation, and reactive maintenance activities
- Contribute to organisational continuous improvement and change initiatives
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams, contractors, regulators, and external partners
- Ensure maintenance and repair risks are effectively assessed, controlled, and clearly communicated
- Support quality management systems through audits, reporting, innovation, and management review
- Contribute to the development of policies, standards, and future technical solutions as the network evolves
- Represent operational interests through relevant industry forums and stakeholder engagements
- Participate in an engineering standby and call‑out rota as required
- Act in accordance with professional engineering standards, safeguarding customers, colleagues, and the wider organisation
Criteria
- Essential Engineering Degree, HND, HNC, or equivalent qualification
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in an engineering or infrastructure environment
- Proven experience delivering operational work programmes in a regulated or safety‑critical setting
- Full, valid UK driving licence
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with contractors, stakeholders, and the public
- Strong leadership skills during both planned works and incident or emergency situations
- Ability to work independently and as part of multi‑disciplinary teams
- Strong IT capability, including Microsoft Office and operational systems
- Experience leading, training, and assessing engineering or operational personnel
- Good understanding of industry standards and asset or maintenance management systems (e.g. ISO 55001)
- Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and asset records
- Right to work permanently in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available)
Working Arrangements
This is an on‑site operational role (no home or hybrid working)
Working hours: Monday–Thursday: 8.30am – 5.00pm Friday: 8.30am – 4.30pm
Benefits
- Enhanced contributory pension scheme
- Free life assurance
- “Give As You Earn” charity scheme
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Enhanced sick pay (subject to eligibility)
- 20 days annual leave
- 11 bank holidays
- up to 5 additional long‑service days
- Free onsite parking
- Dedicated health and wellbeing support
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Annual salary reviews
If this role sounds like the right next step for your career, we would love to hear from you. Apply now or contact Apple Recruitment for a confidential discussion. If this role is not quite right, we are still happy to discuss alternative opportunities.
Apple Recruitment Services is acting on behalf of its client as an Employment Agency and is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Operational Delivery Manager in Belfast employer: Apple Recruitment
Join a well-established organisation in Northern Ireland that prioritises operational excellence and fosters a supportive, inclusive work culture. As an Operational Delivery Manager, you will benefit from a comprehensive range of perks including an enhanced pension scheme, generous leave policies, and dedicated health support, all while contributing to meaningful projects that drive innovation and sustainability in the infrastructure sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Delivery Manager in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network, network, network! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and understanding their values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their operational excellence and commitment to safety and compliance.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed teams and projects in the past. Highlight your ability to lead during both planned works and emergencies, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Delivery Manager in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operational Delivery Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in engineering and infrastructure, focusing on your leadership skills and any operational programmes you've delivered.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've managed maintenance activities and improved safety and quality standards in previous positions.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves engaging with contractors and stakeholders, demonstrate your excellent communication skills in your application. Use clear and concise language to convey your ideas and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Apple Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your engineering knowledge and the specific regulations related to network maintenance. Familiarise yourself with industry standards like ISO 55001, as well as any recent developments in infrastructure management that could be relevant to the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, especially in safety-critical environments. Be ready to discuss how you manage contractors and ensure compliance with safety requirements, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You'll need to engage with various stakeholders, so being able to convey complex information in an understandable way is key. Consider doing mock interviews with a friend to refine your communication style.
✨Demonstrate Continuous Improvement Mindset
Think about instances where you've implemented changes that improved processes or safety standards. Be prepared to discuss how you analyse asset performance and what corrective actions you've taken in the past to enhance operational efficiency.