Operations Manager in Blyth

The Company Energy Central Campus (ECC) is a business-led partnership between the Port of Blyth, Northumberland County Council and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult. Working closely with industry, ECC connects people to skills, training and employment opportunities that support the growth of the clean energy sector. Based in one of the UK’s leading clean energy clusters, ECC places employer engagement at the heart of everything it does, ensuring education and training is shaped by real industry need.

The campus will consist of two main sites: Energy Central Learning Hub (ECLH) opened in 2024 at the Port of Blyth, brings together STEM education, vocational training and industry engagement, and operates as a conference and events venue for the clean energy sector. Energy Central Institute (ECI) opening in 2027 in Blyth town centre, will focus on higher-level skills, research and innovation, working with industry, the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and higher education institutions across the North East.

This is an excellent opportunity for a high-calibre individual to play a key role in managing a unique training facility and ensuring its ultimate success.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilities & Operational Management: Lead the effective day-to-day facilities and operational management of the Energy Central Campus, ensuring spaces are safe, well-maintained, fit for purpose, and support the delivery of high-quality education, training, and industry activity. Act as the primary operational point of contact for Campus users, managing facilities, equipment, and shared resources, and coordinating timely responses to operational issues. Contribute to the development and implementation of operational policies, procedures, and service standards. Coordinate and support operational staff and contractors to ensure effective day-to-day service delivery. Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, customer experience, and value for money across the facility.
• Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with employer, training, and education partners to nurture effective working relationships. Proactively identify partner needs, operational challenges, and opportunities for collaboration that benefit the ECC and its users. Support a positive, professional environment that reflects ECC’s values and enhances partner satisfaction and retention.
• Health, Safety, Compliance & Risk: Support the Head of Operations in ensuring full compliance with relevant legislation, policies, and procedures across the facility, including Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Environmental, and Fire Safety requirements. Lead on the management of H&S systems, risk assessments, incident reporting, audits, and compliance monitoring. Ensure appropriate training, inductions, and documentation are in place for staff, contractors, tenants, and visitors. Maintain operational risk registers and contribute to mitigation planning and reporting.
• Financial & Performance Management: Monitor operational expenditure, procurement, and contracts to ensure cost control, value for money, and compliance with internal procedures.
• Events, Conferencing & Space Management: Manage the planning, scheduling, and operational delivery of events, including conferences, exhibitions, lectures, and employer engagement activity. Coordinate room bookings, set-ups, logistics, and on-the-day operational support to ensure a high-quality customer experience.
• Leadership, Deputising & Representation: Deputise for the Head of Operations as required, attending meetings and events and representing ECC’s operational interests.

Skills & Experience

Given the scope of this key role, the following skills & experience is required:

• Experience of facilities and operational management within a complex, multi-user environment.
• Demonstrable experience managing Health & Safety, compliance, and operational risk.
• Budget management experience, financial monitoring, and value-for-money decision-making.
• Experience of managing or working within a small team to achieve shared objectives.
• Strong communication, organisational, literacy, and numeracy skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work flexibly to deadlines.
• Experience managing suppliers, contractors, or service contracts.
• Experience contributing to inspections, audits, or compliance reviews.

Desirable:

• Experience/knowledge of safeguarding within an education or youth-facing context.
• Knowledge of technical or STEM-related sectors such as engineering, manufacturing, or clean energy.
• Experience of working with and supporting a range of stakeholders, including employers, education providers, and external partners.
• Experience managing or coordinating operational delivery of events, conferences, or shared-use spaces.

Remuneration & Benefits

£35k-40k per annum, depending on relevant experience and qualifications. Defined contribution pension scheme. 30 days holiday (Plus 8 statutory days).

How to Apply

Applications including full CV and details of current salary by email to - recruit@energycentralcampus.co.uk. Closing date for applications: 20th February 2026. It is anticipated that interviews will be held w/c 9th March 2026.