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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to manage and improve the East Midlands canal network.
- Company: Join a major charity dedicated to enhancing waterways for community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, pension scheme, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by transforming canals into vibrant community spaces.
- Qualifications: Experience in team leadership, safety management, and project delivery required.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and impactful community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 46000 £ per year.
Job Description
Join Our Team: Area Operations Manager
Remember to check your CV before applying Also, ensure you read through all the requirements related to this role.
We’re excited to welcome a new Area Operations Manager at our North West location.
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
Working Hours & Location
This role follows a 37 hours, over a 7-day working pattern. This role will be based at Rosegrove Depot , requiring regular travel to our North West Waterways and to our main hubs for collaborative meetings and team activities. The area of responsibility covers Leeds and Liverpool canal from top Lock wigan to Greenberfield Locks at Barnaldswick. The operational area includes additional sites such as Walton Summit Branch and the following reservoirs Winterburn, Whitemoor, Slipper Hill, Upper and Lower Foulridge, Barrowford and Rishton.
Role Overview
In this role you will lead a team of 11 colleagues (Team Leader, Volunteering Leaders, Operatives plus apprentice), as well as numerous volunteers, focusing on day-to-day operational management and maintaining safety management protocols across the Walton Summit Branch and the following reservoirs Winterburn, Whitemoor, Slipper Hill, Upper and Lower Foulridge, Barrowford and Rishton.
See our network here:
Having established ourselves as a major charity, we are now on a journey to deliver ambitious new plans – and central to this is the area structure that will enable us to deliver an outstanding service to all users and customers across our amazingly diverse network. Join us, as one of our new Area Operations Managers, and you’ll play a key part in making sure this happens, as you take ownership of the quality and presentation of the waterways in your area.
You’ll be the main contact for a huge variety of people – not just colleagues and volunteers but internal users, visitors, customers and community representatives as well. By engaging with them, listening to them, and understanding their needs, you’ll be able to build up a complete picture of service-related and operational issues. You will also be responsible for delivering operational activities, works and improvement programmes across your area, leading and motivating internal teams and supervising contractors to ensure a successful outcome every time.
Throughout your work, you will be addressing key customer concerns and using your local knowledge to ensure we operate a reliable waterway network. And, most important of all, you will be helping us prove that life’s better by water, by transforming our canals and rivers into spaces that bring wellbeing benefits to huge numbers of local people every day.
Key Responsibilities
- Key correspondent for engaging with and listening to users, visitors, colleagues and volunteers to have a complete picture of service related and operational issues in their area.
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Development and implementation of a prioritised improvement programme to encourage greater participation with increasing levels of visitor satisfaction and aimed delivering against the Trust’s framework of strategic objectives.
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Work collaboratively with colleagues across the area and wider Trust for the completion of works, delivery of wider Trust wellbeing, engagement, promotional and other activities.
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Liaison with and coordinate Trust priorities with other teams to ensure all works and initiatives within their area are programmed and delivered with current and future visitors in mind. Influence colleagues in relation to the delivery of works outside the scope of their own team to deliver.
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Manage minor projects – typically grant funded valued to £20k, achievement of outcomes and budget compliance, required reporting and other standards.
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Develop and grow the volunteering contribution to the care of the waterways with a targeted, engaging and satisfying programme of opportunities.
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Line management, coaching and mentoring of a team of paid colleagues and volunteers to operate the waterway; and deliver a planned programme of maintenance works to high quality, in time and to budgets; and reactive tasks as circumstances require. Planning of work schedules and rotas. Organise and oversee the daily operation of an area of the network to provide a 7-day operational service.
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Key contact with contracting partners in the undertaking of activities associated with the delivery of planned contracted and arising tasks in the Operational Contracts area. Undertake specialist activities (example Diving Contract Administration), as needed for the area and more widely where required.
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Identify and implement opportunities for efficiencies, achieving budgetary targets each year.
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Participation in the planning and delivery of a 24/7 on call response, to ensure visitor and neighbour safety and satisfaction is maintained at all times. Ensure availability of colleagues to resource the rota.
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Responsible for equipment, vehicles and buildings to the required standards to ensure their availability for works and cost effectiveness.
About you
Given how many different kinds of internal and external stakeholders you’ll be dealing with, it’s vitally important that you have excellent communication and influencing skills along with proven experience of leading successful teams and of managing and motivating groups of volunteers. You will also need substantial experience of developing and delivering programmes of work that have been effective in turning a strategic vision into reality.
Safety is another major part of your remit, so you must have proven experience of safety management and, if you haven’t already gained a NEBOSH certificate, then working towards one will be beneficial.
A full valid driving licence is essential as you will need to be readily mobile across your area of responsibility.
Skills & Qualifications
- Understanding and translating a strategic vision; and developing and delivering programmes of work, on time and on budget.
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Customer focused work which demonstrates the ability to deliver technical challenges in an operational management visitor / infrastructure network.
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Successfully leading teams and demonstrating delivery through others.
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Improving and maintaining motivation and engagement within teams, and of demonstrating a strong people focus.
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Environment to deliver an excellent visitor experience.
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Excellent interpersonal, leadership and communication skills.
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Proven comprehensive experience of safety management with some experience of the Construction (Design & Management) regulations.
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Solid experience of effective and efficient delivery processes and cost control; and managing budgets.
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Proven experience of working with, growing the support from and managing volunteers.
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Good experience of contract management.
Qualifications:
- Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject, desirable.
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Full and valid driving licence.
Contact & Application
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.
What We Offer
We offer an annual salary of £40,838 + £390 per month Car Cash Allowance. xiskglj Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP – 1.
Learn more:
IND MP
Area Operations Manager employer: Canal and River Trust
Contact Detail:
Canal and River Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Area Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend local events, and connect with others on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they’re even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their mission and how you can contribute to it. This will help you stand out as someone who’s genuinely interested in the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or in front of a mirror. Focus on articulating your experiences and how they relate to the job description. Confidence is key, so the more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll feel.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Area Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Area Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in operational management, team leadership, and safety protocols, as these are key aspects of the job.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be engaging with a variety of stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication skills. Use examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams or managed volunteers.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Focus on your previous roles that align with the responsibilities mentioned in the job description. If you've managed projects or improved visitor satisfaction, make sure to include those achievements!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Don’t wait too long; apply early to increase your chances!
How to prepare for a job interview at Canal and River Trust
✨Know Your Canals
Familiarise yourself with the East Midlands canal network, especially the iconic sites like Foxton and Watford locks. Being able to discuss these locations and their significance will show your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or managed volunteers in the past. Highlight your ability to motivate others and deliver results, as this is crucial for the Area Operations Manager position.
✨Safety First
Brush up on safety management protocols and be ready to discuss your experience with them. If you have a NEBOSH or SMSTS certificate, mention it! If not, express your willingness to work towards one.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would engage with various stakeholders, from colleagues to community representatives. Prepare to share strategies on how you would listen to their needs and address service-related issues effectively.