At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations in repair, maintenance, and reinstatement to ensure safe water delivery.
- Company: SES Water, part of Pennon Group, committed to a greener future.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community water services and drive operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational leadership within utilities or infrastructure environments.
- Other info: Join a diverse team that values uniqueness and fosters a culture of belonging.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
SES Water has a rich history of serving communities in the South East of England. Water plays an important role in our lives, which is why we're committed to supplying our customers with access to 160 million litres of safe, reliable, clean water every day. We're proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals include lowering our carbon footprint, planting 300,000 trees, restoring peatlands, and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
At SES Water, we deliver safe, high-quality drinking water to over 750,000 customers every day. Behind that service is a high-performing operational team responsible for keeping our network running safely and efficiently. We're looking for an Operations Manager to lead our repair, maintenance, and reinstatement operations, driving performance, safety, and service delivery across our network. This is a senior operational leadership role with real impact on customer outcomes and operational performance.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading operational delivery across repair, maintenance, reinstatement, and planning functions.
- Managing Section Managers and operational teams, building capability and driving performance.
- Ensuring works are delivered safely, compliantly, and right first time.
- Overseeing programmes including lead replacement, mains replacement, and developer services.
- Managing delivery partners under NEC contract frameworks, ensuring value and performance.
- Acting as the senior escalation point for technical, operational, and H&S issues.
- Representing SES Water with highway authorities, regulators, and industry forums.
What we’re looking for:
- Operational leadership experience in utilities, water, or infrastructure environments.
- Strong understanding of repair, maintenance, reinstatement, and street works practices.
- Experience managing performance, SLAs, and contractor delivery.
- Ability to lead teams, manage risk, and deliver complex operational work.
- Strong stakeholder management and problem-solving skills.
- Streetworks qualifications, NEBOSH, or professional membership (ICE, APM, CIWEM) are desirable.
Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness. Our core values, which are essential to our success, are: Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Locations
Operations Manager in Redhill, Surrey employer: SES Water
Contact Detail:
SES Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager in Redhill, Surrey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current SES Water employees on LinkedIn. You never know who might give you a heads-up about an opportunity or refer you directly!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching SES Water's projects and values. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about our mission to provide clean water and support sustainability efforts.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your STAR technique for answering behavioural questions. We want to hear about specific situations where you've led teams or solved problems, so come ready with examples that highlight your operational leadership experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining the SES Water family.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in Redhill, Surrey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match the Operations Manager role. Highlight your operational leadership experience in utilities or infrastructure, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications like NEBOSH or professional memberships.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about water services and how your background aligns with our goals at SES Water. Be genuine and let your personality come through!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and manage performance. Use metrics where possible to show how you’ve driven success in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at SES Water
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the key responsibilities of the Operations Manager role at SES Water. Brush up on your knowledge of repair, maintenance, and reinstatement practices, as well as the specific challenges faced in the water sector. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams or managed complex operational projects. Highlight how you built capability within your team and drove performance. This is crucial, as SES Water is looking for someone who can inspire and lead their operational teams effectively.
✨Understand Stakeholder Management
Familiarise yourself with the importance of stakeholder management in this role. Be ready to discuss how you've navigated relationships with various stakeholders in previous positions. SES Water values strong communication skills, so be prepared to explain how you would represent the company with highway authorities and regulators.
✨Embrace Their Values
SES Water has clear core values: Be Rock Solid, Be You, and Be the Future. Think about how these values resonate with you and prepare to share examples of how you've embodied them in your career. This will show that you align with their culture and are genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.