Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a major water network upgrade and manage a multidisciplinary team of 150.
- Company: Join a dynamic company focused on delivering excellence in water infrastructure.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, company vehicle, pension plan, and gym discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on essential water services while leading innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing large-scale programmes and knowledge of water mains installation.
- Other info: Opportunities for continuous development and participation in company social events.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Apsley, Hemel Hempstead
Salary: Competitive salary + excellent benefits
Type: Permanent, Full-time, 45hrs, 7.30-5.30pm
Department: Repetitive Delivery Division
Project Partners are now on the look out for an experienced Operations Director to head up the Water Mains Delivery Division. You will lead the delivery of a major water network upgrade, and you would be responsible for a programme replacing 150km of water mains across London and the Thames Valley. Directing a multidisciplinary team of around 150 people, ensuring a safe, efficient, and high-quality execution.
You will hold full operational and commercial accountability for delivering over £35m per year, meeting performance targets, and achieving margins in line with budget. This role is key to supporting the companies secured order book and ensuring the programme is delivered with excellence and long-term value.
Job Role:
- Client Leadership & Relationship Management
- Act as the primary senior representative for the company, becoming the client’s trusted partner and championing our brand and values.
- Drive innovation by identifying and promoting new ways of working that enhance programme efficiency and delivery performance.
- Provide clear, evidence-based feedback to support informed and timely client decision-making.
- Support the management of external stakeholders to ensure programme objectives and client targets are met.
- Ensure full compliance with client governance frameworks, securing approval through all project milestones and stage-gates.
- Offer technical insight and guidance to client departments, including Asset Management and Engineering.
- Lead or attend key client meetings as part of the monthly reporting cycle and represent the company at wider contractor forums when required.
- Ensure all works are delivered to the highest standards of health, safety, and environmental performance.
- Work collaboratively with internal functions including HSE, Planning, Environmental, Training & Development, Streetworks, and Quality to lead improvement initiatives and resolve any areas of non-compliance.
- Maintain optimal resource levels across the programme, proactively managing workforce capacity, peaks and troughs in workload, and annual leave.
- Monitor the pipeline of planned works against actual build rates to ensure programme alignment with client targets.
- Identify barriers to delivery at an early stage, develop targeted mitigation plans, and engage teams effectively to achieve full commitment to the solution.
- Support site teams and internal departments in navigating external stakeholder requirements as needed.
- Ensure all operational sites are fully resourced and equipped to meet programme demands.
- Participate in regular performance reviews, operational forums, and monthly commercial meetings.
- Support the Tactical PMO to maintain accurate, transparent, and high-quality programme data.
- Conduct thorough reviews of all programme data prior to submission, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with contractual reporting requirements.
- Lead programme submissions to the client in accordance with agreed reporting cycles, ensuring they accurately reflect progress, performance against budgets, and achievement of client targets.
- Review outputs from progressive assurance tools, addressing non-conformances and ensuring corrective actions are assigned to relevant contract leads.
Candidate Experience Required:
- Strong understanding of highway working requirements, regulations, and industry standards, with the ability to ensure compliance across multiple operational sites.
- Proven experience leading and managing large-scale, planned works programmes, ideally within a high-volume or complex highway environment.
- Significant construction experience with a solid understanding of methodologies used in the installation of water mains and associated infrastructure.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain high levels of productivity and performance within repetitive, fast-paced delivery programmes, ensuring consistency, quality, and efficiency.
- Able to support with the formulisation of bids to support our continued delivery and capability in the sector.
- High degree of skill and usage of Microsoft platforms (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Qualifications Required:
- Full clean UK driving licence
- Engineering Degree or equivalent. (desirable)
- NEBOSH General and/or Construction Qualification. (desirable)
- Appreciation of Lean or Agile methods of working. (desirable)
- Temporary Works qualification and/or understanding. (desirable)
- Appreciation of NEC and IChemE contracts and use of CEMAR or equivalent web-based tools for managing contracts. (desirable)
What's included:
- Competitive salary depending on experience and qualifications
- Company vehicle / car allowance
- Pension Plan
- Medicash
- Volunteering Days
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Discounted Gym Membership
- Highstreet Discounts
- Company Social Events
- Continuous Development Opportunities
Operations Director in Hemel Hempstead employer: Project Partners
Contact Detail:
Project Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director in Hemel Hempstead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy to reach out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how they align with your experience. This will help you showcase why you're the perfect fit for the Operations Director role and how you can drive innovation in their Water Mains Delivery Division.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your past experiences and how they relate to the job. Use specific examples that highlight your leadership skills and ability to manage large-scale projects effectively. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. So, get your application in and let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director in Hemel Hempstead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Director role. Highlight your experience in managing large-scale projects and leading teams, especially in the water mains or construction sectors. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past successes in client leadership and operational excellence that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Knowledge: Don’t forget to mention your understanding of highway working requirements and water mains installation methodologies. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know how your expertise can benefit our team!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Project Partners
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the water mains delivery process and the specific challenges that come with it. Brush up on industry standards, regulations, and methodologies related to water infrastructure. This will not only help you answer technical questions but also show your passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Operations Director, you'll be leading a large team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed multidisciplinary teams in the past. Highlight your experience in driving innovation and improving efficiency, as well as how you've navigated challenges in high-pressure environments.
✨Client Relationship Focus
Since client leadership is key in this role, think about how you've built and maintained strong relationships with clients in previous positions. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you acted as a trusted partner and how you ensured client satisfaction while meeting performance targets.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage operational challenges. Think through potential barriers to delivery and how you would develop targeted mitigation plans. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.