Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational strategy and drive transformation in water services.
- Company: South Staffs Water delivers safe, reliable water to communities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £120k plus excellent package and travel opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of water services while ensuring sustainability and innovation.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in operations management, ideally in utilities or water sector.
- Other info: Opportunity to engage with regulators and influence industry standards.
The predicted salary is between 84000 - 120000 £ per year.
Location: Green Lane, Walsall
Remuneration: £120k + negotiable DOE plus excellent package
Travel: 30%+
At South Staffs Water, delivering safe, reliable, and high-quality water to our communities is at the heart of what we do. As Operations Director, you will take full accountability for our operational strategy, driving transformation, resilience, and efficiency across our water production, treatment, and distribution services.
This is a pivotal leadership role, offering the opportunity to shape the future of water services in a regulated environment while ensuring the highest standards of service, sustainability, and innovation.
Why Join Us?
- Lead at scale - Oversee multi-region operations, ensuring high performance and reliability.
- Drive transformation - Implement cutting-edge technologies, automation, and digital strategies.
- Make an impact - Enhance water sustainability, resilience, and regulatory compliance.
- Build a high-performing team - Inspire and develop a culture of accountability, safety, and excellence.
Your Role
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will:
- Deliver our safety culture - lead and continuously improve our safety culture.
- Shape operational strategy - Lead transformational change to optimise infrastructure and service delivery.
- Ensure operational excellence - Maintain best-in-class water production, treatment, and distribution while exceeding regulatory and customer expectations.
- Champion innovation - Drive digitalisation, automation, and smart technology adoption to enhance efficiency.
- Strengthen resilience - Develop business continuity plans, asset optimisation strategies, and environmental sustainability initiatives.
- Engage with regulators - Act as the primary operational representative, ensuring compliance with Ofwat, DWI, and the Environment Agency.
- Drive financial performance - Deliver cost efficiencies while ensuring sustainable investment in operations.
What We're Looking For
We need a strategic and hands-on leader with deep expertise in operations management within water, utilities, or another regulated industry. You will bring:
- Extensive senior leadership experience in large-scale operations, ideally in the utility or water sector, with experience in leading, developing and supporting large teams.
- Technical expertise in chemically driven treatment and asset management.
- Proven ability to drive transformation through innovation, digitalisation, and process improvement.
- Regulatory knowledge and experience engaging with regulators and industry bodies.
- Commitment to health, safety, and environmental compliance.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
- Financial acumen, with a track record of delivering efficiencies and cost-effective solutions.
Your Background
- Degree in Engineering, Water Management, Operations Management, or a related field (essential).
- Chartered status with a relevant professional institution (desirable).
- Leadership or management qualification (desirable).
- NEBOSH or IOSH qualification (desirable).
Ready to Lead?
If you are a forward-thinking operational leader with the ambition and expertise to drive excellence, this is your opportunity to make a real impact. Join South Staffs Water and play a key role in shaping a sustainable and resilient future for water services.
Operations Director employer: South Staffs Water
Contact Detail:
South Staffs Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in water management and sustainability. Understanding current challenges and innovations in the industry will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the water and utilities sector. Attend industry conferences or local meetups to connect with key players, which can provide insights and potentially lead to referrals for the Operations Director role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with regulatory compliance and stakeholder management. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully engaged with regulators and influenced decision-making at all levels.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership style and ability to drive transformation. Think of concrete examples where you've led teams through change, implemented new technologies, or improved operational efficiency, as these will resonate well with the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your extensive senior leadership experience in operations management, particularly within the water or utilities sector. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive transformation and innovation.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for water sustainability and operational excellence. Clearly outline how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the Operations Director role and mention any relevant regulatory knowledge you possess.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Ensure you list your degree in Engineering, Water Management, or Operations Management prominently. If you have any additional qualifications like NEBOSH or IOSH, mention these as they are desirable for the role.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Provide examples of how you have built high-performing teams and driven cultural change in previous roles. Highlight your stakeholder management skills and your ability to influence at all levels, as these are crucial for the position.
How to prepare for a job interview at South Staffs Water
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As an Operations Director, your leadership skills are crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've led large teams and driven transformation in previous roles. Highlight your ability to inspire and develop a culture of accountability and excellence.
✨Demonstrate Regulatory Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with the regulatory environment relevant to the water industry, including Ofwat and DWI. Be ready to discuss how you've engaged with regulators in the past and how you plan to ensure compliance while driving operational excellence.
✨Emphasise Innovation and Digitalisation
The role requires a strong focus on innovation and the adoption of new technologies. Prepare to share examples of how you've implemented cutting-edge technologies or digital strategies in your previous positions to enhance efficiency and sustainability.
✨Prepare for Financial Discussions
Financial acumen is key for this position. Be ready to discuss your experience in delivering cost efficiencies and sustainable investments in operations. Think of specific instances where you've successfully managed budgets or improved financial performance.
