Head of Terminal Operations

Head of Terminal Operations

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Certas Energy Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead terminal operations across the UK, ensuring safety and compliance in a high-hazard environment.
  • Company: Join a leading energy solutions company with a focus on operational excellence.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, management bonus, and generous annual leave.
  • Why this job: Take on a high-impact leadership role in a critical infrastructure network.
  • Qualifications: Proven senior leadership experience in oil & gas or similar sectors required.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career progression and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

Reporting to: Managing Director – Energy Solutions Lead. Influence. Deliver operational excellence in a high-hazard environment. We’re looking for an experienced and strategic Head of Terminals to lead the safe, efficient and compliant operation of our terminal network across the UK, including Aberdeen, Inverness, Lerwick, Stornoway and Loch Carnan. This is a critical leadership role within the Energy Solutions division, with full accountability for operational performance, HSEQ excellence, engineering activity, and budget management across all terminals. You’ll play a key role in shaping strategy, influencing stakeholders at the highest level, and ensuring regulatory compliance in a complex, high-hazard environment.

The Role

  • Provide overall leadership and direction for all terminal operations, ensuring safety, efficiency and compliance
  • Act as the COMAH Duty Holder and primary point of contact for regulators including HSE and SEPA
  • Set and deliver the strategic direction for terminal operations across the business
  • Lead and continuously improve HSEQ performance, embedding a strong safety culture
  • Hold full accountability for OPEX and CAPEX budgets, driving cost efficiency and value
  • Build and manage relationships with senior stakeholders, including board members, regulators, partners and local authorities
  • Ensure all sites operate in line with regulatory, legislative and industry best practice standards
  • Lead, develop and inspire multi-disciplinary teams, building capability and performance
  • Oversee emergency preparedness and crisis management, ensuring robust plans and response capability
  • Represent the business across key industry bodies and forums

About You

You’ll be a proven senior leader with deep technical and operational expertise in high-hazard environments.

Essential experience:

  • Significant senior leadership experience in oil & gas (ideally downstream) or similar sectors
  • Strong knowledge of COMAH regulations and process safety management
  • Experience managing multi-site operations and complex organisational structures
  • Track record of managing large-scale OPEX/CAPEX budgets
  • Experience working closely with regulators, executive stakeholders and external partners
  • Ability to lead in high-pressure and emergency situations

Qualifications:

  • Degree (or equivalent) in engineering, operations, or management (preferred)
  • Professional membership of a recognised industry or management body (desirable)

What You’ll Bring

  • Strong, visible leadership and decision-making capability
  • Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills
  • A proactive, solutions-focused mindset
  • High attention to detail with strong planning and organisational ability
  • The ability to manage complex projects and competing priorities
  • A balanced approach to people management, combining empathy with business focus

Why Join?

This is a rare opportunity to take on a high-impact leadership role with full operational and strategic responsibility across a critical infrastructure network. You’ll be at the forefront of safety, performance and innovation in a highly regulated and essential industry.

Competitive Salary Company Car or Allowance Management Bonus Company Pension 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) Buy, sell and carry annual leave options Career progression within a multi layered sales structure Brand discounts through Certas group scheme Life Assurance X4 Salary

Equal Opportunities Statement

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. We welcome applications from candidates who meet the minimum required job role criteria, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We actively promote equal opportunities and are dedicated to ensuring that our recruitment, selection, training, and promotion decisions are made based on qualifications, and experience only. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or to attend an interview, if shortlisted, please let us know and we will be happy to assist.

Head of Terminal Operations employer: Certas Energy Ltd

Join a leading energy solutions provider as the Head of Terminal Operations, where you will have the opportunity to shape strategy and drive operational excellence across our critical terminal network in the UK. With a strong commitment to safety and compliance, we offer a dynamic work culture that values leadership and innovation, alongside competitive benefits such as a management bonus, generous annual leave, and career progression opportunities within a supportive environment. This role not only places you at the forefront of the energy sector but also allows you to make a meaningful impact in a high-hazard industry while working with a diverse team dedicated to excellence.
Certas Energy Ltd

Contact Detail:

Certas Energy Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Terminal Operations

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, attend events, and join relevant groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head of Terminal Operations role.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your expertise! Prepare to discuss your experience in high-hazard environments and how you've influenced operational excellence. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your leadership skills and strategic thinking.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses. Focus on articulating your knowledge of COMAH regulations and your approach to managing multi-site operations.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows you're serious about the role and gives us a chance to get to know you better right from the start.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Terminal Operations

Leadership
Operational Excellence
HSEQ Management
COMAH Regulations Knowledge
Process Safety Management
Budget Management (OPEX/CAPEX)
Stakeholder Engagement
Emergency Preparedness
Crisis Management
Project Management
Communication Skills
Influencing Skills
Negotiation Skills
Attention to Detail
Planning and Organisational Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Head of Terminals role. Highlight your leadership experience in high-hazard environments and any relevant regulatory knowledge to catch our eye!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your strategic vision for terminal operations and how you plan to drive safety and efficiency across our network.

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Quantify your successes, like managing large-scale budgets or improving HSEQ performance, to demonstrate your impact in previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Certas Energy Ltd

✨Know Your Regulations

Familiarise yourself with COMAH regulations and process safety management. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with these regulations, as this role demands a strong understanding of compliance in high-hazard environments.

✨Showcase Leadership Experience

Highlight your senior leadership experience in oil & gas or similar sectors. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to lead multi-site operations and manage large-scale OPEX/CAPEX budgets effectively.

✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement

Think about how you would build and manage relationships with senior stakeholders, including regulators and board members. Have specific strategies ready to discuss how you influence and negotiate with these key players.

✨Demonstrate Crisis Management Skills

Be ready to share your experiences in high-pressure situations and emergency preparedness. Discuss how you've led teams through crises and ensured robust response capabilities in previous roles.

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