Head of Operations (Inspections) - Disused Tips Authority

Location - The Authority's headquarters will be located at Rhydycar Business Park, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UZ. This will be the principal place of work and where most colleagues will come together to collaborate with one another and with stakeholders. The successful candidate will be expected to attend the office in Merthyr Tydfil regularly to support collaboration and stakeholder engagement. For full-time employees, this will typically be 2–3 days per week, with attendance requirements adjusted on a pro-rata basis for part-time employees. As a national organisation serving communities across Wales, the DTA will also establish a number of regional hubs and collaboration spaces. Details of these locations are currently being developed and will be confirmed ahead of the Authority becoming operational. Merthyr Tydfil will remain the Authority's headquarters.

Purpose of post - Help build the inspection capability behind one of Wales' newest public bodies. The Disused Tips Authority for Wales is being established as the national public body responsible for overseeing the safety, management and regulation of disused tips across Wales. Operating in a high-profile, safety-critical environment, our success will depend on the quality, consistency and professionalism of our operational inspection capability.

As Head of Operations (Inspections), you will play a critical leadership role in developing and leading the Authority's national inspection service. You will ensure inspections are delivered consistently, proportionately and in accordance with statutory requirements, providing the evidence and assurance needed to identify, assess and manage risks to communities across Wales. This is a broad strategic leadership role. Alongside leading the Authority's inspection function, you will shape operational standards, inspection methodologies and workforce capability, ensuring inspection activity is aligned to the Board's strategic vision and Corporate Plan while supporting effective regulation and public confidence.

Beyond the organisation itself, you will play a pivotal role in developing the Authority's ambition to become a recognised centre of excellence in inspection practice and operational capability. Working with Welsh Government, local authorities, technical specialists, professional institutions and industry partners, you will help strengthen professional standards, share good practice and develop the capability needed to support the long‑term management of disused tips across Wales.

The role is both inward and outward facing:

• Internally, you will build a professional, consistent and high‑performing inspection service where colleagues are empowered to apply sound technical judgement, work safely and continuously improve operational delivery.
• Externally, you will work collaboratively with local authorities, regulators, landowners, technical experts and other partners to strengthen inspection capability, promote consistency and support effective risk management across Wales.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the operational foundations of a new national organisation, helping establish the Disused Tips Authority as both a trusted regulator and a recognised centre of excellence in inspection, operational capability and public safety.

Key tasks - Building a high-performing inspection service:

• You'll develop and lead the Authority's national inspection programme, ensuring inspections, assessments and risk categorisation are delivered consistently, proportionately and in accordance with statutory requirements and professional standards.
• Managing operational risk: You'll ensure technical evidence is used effectively to identify, assess and manage risks, working closely with engineering, digital and assurance colleagues to support informed operational decisions and continuous reassessment of risk across Wales.
• Driving operational excellence: You'll establish high professional standards, robust quality assurance arrangements and efficient operational processes that promote consistency, continuous improvement and excellence across all inspection activities.
• Supporting strategic delivery: You'll ensure inspection operations are fully aligned to the Authority's Corporate Plan and organisational priorities, translating strategic ambition into practical operational delivery that protects communities and supports effective regulation.
• Developing inspection capability: You'll lead the Authority's work to strengthen inspection capability across Wales, working with Welsh Government, local authorities, professional institutions and technical partners to develop inspection methodologies, professional standards and workforce capability.
• Working across the system: You'll build trusted relationships with local authorities, landowners, regulators, contractors and technical specialists, recognising that effective risk management depends upon collaboration, shared learning and consistent operational practice.
• Leading a high-performing function: You'll build and lead a professional inspection function, creating an environment where colleagues can develop their expertise, apply sound technical judgement and deliver consistently high standards that protect communities across Wales.

Technical:

• Strategic Inspection Leadership: Developing and delivering organisation-wide inspection strategies and operational programmes aligned to organisational priorities. Translating organisational vision into practical inspection approaches that enable delivery of statutory responsibilities.
• Inspection Operations & Technical Delivery: Leading the development and delivery of nationally consistent systems for the assessment, categorisation, inspection and monitoring of disused tips or comparable infrastructure within technical, infrastructure or safety‑critical environments. Applying risk‑based assessment methodologies to support operational prioritisation and decision making. Ensuring inspection activity is delivered consistently, proportionately and in accordance with statutory, regulatory and professional standards.
• Risk, Safety & Regulatory Management: Identifying, assessing and managing operational, engineering or environmental risks using evidence‑based approaches. Working within regulatory, governance or statutory frameworks to deliver safe, compliant and effective operational services. Embedding a strong culture of safety, assurance and continuous risk management.
• Operational Planning & Performance: Planning, coordinating and delivering complex operational programmes across multiple workstreams or geographical locations. Monitoring operational performance, quality, compliance and resource utilisation to ensure efficient and effective service delivery. Driving continuous improvement through operational learning, quality assurance and evidence‑led decision making.
• Partnership Working & Professional Capability: Building trusted relationships with local authorities, regulators, landowners, contractors, professional institutions and technical partners. Working collaboratively across organisational boundaries to strengthen inspection capability, share good practice and promote consistent operational standards. Supporting the development of workforce capability and professional practice across Wales.
• Leadership & Team Development: Leading and developing professional and technical teams within complex operational environments. Building capability while promoting accountability, collaboration, high professional standards and a strong safety culture. Creating an inclusive environment where colleagues can develop and perform at their best.
• Communication & Professional Judgement: Communicating complex technical information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences. Providing balanced, evidence-based advice to senior leaders and stakeholders. Exercising sound professional judgement when making operational decisions in complex, high-risk or publicly scrutinised environments.

Professional Expertise: Degree in Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Management or a related discipline; or HNC/HND (or equivalent) supported by significant relevant professional experience in inspection, geotechnical, engineering, environmental or infrastructure disciplines. Demonstrable experience in inspection, asset management, infrastructure, environmental risk or operational risk assessment. Membership of, or working towards membership of, a relevant professional institution is desirable.