Operations Manager in Poole, Dorset

Our design and build Water contractor client are seeking an Operations Manager to lead on their Wessex Water wastewater upgrade project based in Poole on a permanent basis. Our client has an annual turnover surpassing £600 million and is a real leader in the sector with sustained, robust business performance creating an ideal environment for career growth throughout AMP8.

You will be leading on a £200m design-and-build framework delivering projects across the Wessex region through to 2030, with the potential for a five-year extension into AMP9. Wessex Water serves Dorset, Somerset and Bristol, as well as most of Wiltshire, and parts of Gloucestershire and Hampshire. The company provides high-quality water services to 1.4 million customers and sewage services to 2.9 million customers.

They are seeking an experienced Operations Manager who will lead the delivery of a flagship £200m+ wastewater infrastructure programme within a long-term Tier 1 capital delivery framework in the water sector. This is a highly visible senior leadership role with end-to-end accountability for project outcomes, including safety, programme, cost, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction. The role has primary responsibility for a major Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) upgrade programme at Poole while also providing leadership and support across the wider framework portfolio as required.

You will operate as a client-facing leader, setting delivery standards, driving performance, and shaping outcomes across a complex, multi-disciplinary supply chain.

• Provide strong operational leadership, driving performance across SHEW, programme, quality and commercial outcomes.
• Take ownership of resource planning, team structure and client relationships, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently with a 'no surprises' approach.
• Lead the delivery of a complex, multi-workstream infrastructure project within a highly regulated environment.
• Establish and maintain robust project governance, ensuring compliance with framework, client, and regulatory requirements.
• Act as the senior point of escalation for all project performance matters.
• Take clear ownership of SHEQ performance, promoting a proactive, values-led safety culture across the project and supply chain.
• Own the commercial strategy for the project, working closely with commercial and planning teams to maintain cost certainty and predictability.
• In conjunction with the commercial team manage procurement strategies, contract administration, change control, and forecasting in line with framework agreements (e.g. NEC).
• Lead the identification, mitigation, and management of project risks and opportunities.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with the client, regulators, key stakeholders, and internal leadership.
• Represent the company at client, governance, and assurance meetings.
• Ensure effective stakeholder engagement, including coordination with operational teams and third parties.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing, multi-disciplinary project team.
• Set clear expectations and standards of accountability, performance, and behaviour.
• Foster collaboration across design, construction, commercial, and supply chain partners.
• Support succession planning and the development of future project leaders within the framework.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and transparent reporting of projects performance (cost, value, programme, schedule, risk, and delivery confidence).
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation in delivery methods, digital tools, and processes.
• Contribute to framework-level performance reviews and lessons learned.

• Proven experience leading complex design and build operations, ideally in Water Civil Engineering background.
• Strong technical understanding with sound commercial awareness.
• An engaging leader with excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Comfortable managing multiple projects and teams simultaneously.
• Committed to safety, collaboration and continuous improvement.

• Salary dependant on experience - discussed prior to CV submission.
• 26 days annual leave.
• Min 3% employee, 6% employer pension contribution - capacity for more.
• 5 hour working week.
• Company discounts/benefits.
• Private healthcare provision.
• Bonus tbc.
• Car allowance.