At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead multi-disciplinary light rail projects, ensuring safety and quality standards are met.
- Company: Colas Rail UK, a diverse and inclusive company based in Birmingham.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 26 days annual leave, healthcare, and pension scheme.
- Other info: Exciting career growth opportunities in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in the rail industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading operational teams and knowledge of safety procedures.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Colas Rail UK values diversity, inclusion and collaboration, and seeks a capable Operations Manager to lead multi-disciplinary light rail projects within the Midland Metro Alliance, ensuring safety, quality, environment, cost and programme requirements are met. Based in Birmingham, you will provide operational leadership across project teams and supply chain partners, embedding robust processes, maintaining strong stakeholder relationships, and driving a high-performance, alliance-based culture.
Purpose of the Role
The Operations Manager is responsible for leading the safe, efficient, and collaborative delivery of multi-disciplinary light rail projects within the Midland Metro Alliance, ensuring all works are completed in line with safety, quality, environmental, commercial, and programme requirements. The role provides operational leadership across project teams and supply chain partners, embedding robust processes, maintaining strong stakeholder and client relationships, and driving a high-performance, alliance-based culture. Through effective resource management, governance, and financial control, the Operations Manager ensures projects are delivered to time, cost, and quality expectations while supporting the successful delivery of the wider programme.
Person Specification
What attributes and skills are we looking for?
- Experience of leading large multi-disciplinary operational/delivery teams.
- Knowledge of safety, quality, and environmental procedures.
- Experience of working in a collaborative environment.
- Recognised Operational and/or Project Management experience and/or qualification (desirable).
- Membership (or working towards membership) towards professional body such as ICE, APM etc. (desirable).
Key Responsibilities
- Proven ability to lead the safe and environmentally responsible delivery of light rail or infrastructure projects to time, cost, and quality standards in line with Alliance principles.
- Strong capability in developing, implementing, and embedding operational processes and procedures across complex programmes (e.g., lifting operations, plant management).
- Demonstrated experience in supply chain leadership and relationship management across multi-disciplinary delivery environments.
- Ability to manage complex interfaces across multiple workstreams and stakeholders, ensuring alignment and optimisation of construction activities.
- Excellent stakeholder and client engagement skills, particularly within public sector or transport authorities (e.g. WMCA).
- Strong commercial awareness with experience managing project budgets, change control, and risk in collaboration with commercial teams.
- Proven leadership in building, managing, and developing high-performing multidisciplinary teams (including direct and agency staff).
- Ability to establish and maintain effective project controls, governance, and risk management frameworks compliant with rail and statutory standards.
- Strong communication and coordination skills to manage internal and external stakeholders and ensure contractual obligations are met.
What We Offer
- Competitive Salary
- 26 days Annual Leave
- Industry leading Life Assurance
- Healthcare Cash Plan
- Wellbeing Employee Assistant Programme
- Pension Scheme
- Eye Care Vouchers
- Long Service Award
- Season Ticket Loan
- Occupational Health Service
This is an exciting opportunity to build a career in the rail industry. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Operations Manager employer: Dycom Industries, Inc.
Contact Detail:
Dycom Industries, Inc. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the rail industry, especially those who might know someone at Colas Rail UK. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company culture and values. Colas Rail UK values diversity and collaboration, so think about how you can showcase your experience in these areas during your chat.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your STAR technique for answering competency questions. This will help you articulate your past experiences in leading teams and managing projects effectively, which is key for the Operations Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team at Colas Rail UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Operations Manager role. Highlight your leadership in multi-disciplinary teams and any relevant qualifications, as we want to see how you fit into our collaborative environment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the rail industry and how your experience aligns with our values of safety, quality, and collaboration. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to deliver projects on time and within budget. We love seeing quantifiable results, so don’t hold back on the numbers!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dycom Industries, Inc.
✨Know Your Projects
Before the interview, dive deep into Colas Rail UK's recent projects, especially those related to light rail. Understanding their operations and challenges will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led multi-disciplinary teams in the past. Highlight your ability to foster collaboration and drive high-performance cultures, as this is crucial for the Operations Manager role.
✨Understand Safety and Quality Standards
Brush up on safety, quality, and environmental procedures relevant to the rail industry. Be prepared to discuss how you've implemented these standards in previous roles, as this will be a key focus for the interviewer.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to talk about your experience in managing stakeholder relationships, particularly within public sector or transport authorities. Share examples of how you've successfully engaged with clients and partners to ensure project alignment and success.