Operations Manager in Poole

Mott Mac Donald Bentley is a fully integrated design and build business combining the design expertise of Mott Mac Donald with the contracting experience of JN Bentley, operating across water, energy, and environment sectors throughout the UK.

With an annual turnover surpassing £600 million, Mott Macdonald Bentley cements its position as a leader within the industry.

The sustained, robust business performance creates an ideal environment for career growth.

The £200m design-and-build framework will see us deliver projects across the 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.

Stretching across diverse landscape like the famous Jurassic Coast, the Mendip Hills, white cliffs of Dorset and Wiltshire’s Salisbury Plain, as well as the cities of Bath and Bristol, the company provides high-quality water services to 1.4 million customers and sewage services to 2.9 million customers.

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager you 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 (Ww TW) 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

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

This position suits an individual with a strong background in major civil engineering and regulated infrastructure environments, comfortable operating at the interface of client, designer, contractor, and supply chain.

The role of Operations Manager includes

You will provide strong operational leadership, driving performance across SHEW, programme, quality and commercial outcomes.

You’ll take ownership of resource planning, team structure and client relationships, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently with a ‘no surprises’ approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Framework Leadership
• 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.
• Health, Safety, Environment & Quality (SHEQ)
• Take clear ownership of SHEQ performance, promoting a proactive, values-led safety culture across the project and supply chain.
• Ensure all works are delivered in full compliance with statutory obligations, company standards, and client requirements.
• Lead by example through visible safety leadership on site and in project forums.
• Commercial & Risk Management
• 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.
• Client & Stakeholder Management
• 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.
• Leadership & People
• 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.
• Performance, Reporting & Assurance
• 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.

What you’ll need

• Proven experience leading complex design and build operations
• 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

What’s in it for you

Alongside our significant training and development investment and bespoke progression plan, we offer a wide range of financial, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits that you can tailor to your needs.

To view our full range of benefits, please see the Bentley benefits brochure attached.