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- Tasks: Lead a team to ensure London's water supply runs smoothly and safely.
- Company: Join a dynamic company dedicated to protecting essential water resources.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, ongoing training, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with great career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on water supply while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading teams and understanding health and safety practices.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
As our Abstraction Operations Manager, you’ll play a vital role in keeping London’s water flowing by leading the operation and maintenance of our West London abstraction assets. This is a role where your decisions directly support resilient water supplies for millions of customers, while protecting the environment and meeting our regulatory commitments. You’ll lead a skilled team of technicians, balance day‑to‑day operational priorities with long‑term asset health, and work closely with colleagues across water treatment, water resources, system operations and external regulators. If you enjoy leading people, making informed operational decisions, and taking ownership of complex assets, this is an opportunity to make a real and visible impact.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading and supporting a team of technicians, creating a positive, safe and high‑performing working environment
- Planning and coordinating maintenance and statutory inspections, working closely with planning teams to deliver week‑by‑week activity
- Acting as a key decision maker for the operation of the West London raw water system, ensuring a reliable supply to water treatment works
- Managing relationships with internal teams and external regulators to ensure compliance with abstraction licences and regulations
- Owning health and safety across sites, proactively identifying and addressing risks to protect people and assets
- Acting as Controller of Premises for abstraction sites, ensuring they are safe, secure and resilient
- Managing operational budgets and contributing to investment decisions that support long‑term system performance
What we’re looking for:
Essential skills and experience:
- Experience leading and motivating teams in an operational or field‑based environment
- A good understanding of health and safety responsibilities and safe working practices
- Confidence managing stakeholders and maintaining effective working relationships
- A full, valid UK driving licence, with the ability to travel between sites
Technical skills:
- Good IT skills, with the confidence to work with digital systems (training will be provided)
- Experience in the water industry or a regulated, asset‑intensive environment
- Experience managing operational or capital budgets
- Familiarity with complex physical assets and how they are maintained
We know no candidate meets every requirement. If you feel this role is right for you, we’d love to hear from you.
What’s in it for you:
- Competitive salary of £40,000–£50,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience
- The opportunity to lead work that protects essential water supplies for London
- Ongoing training and development to support your career progression
- A supportive team culture focused on safety, respect and continuous improvement
We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else, just let us know, we’re here to help and support.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Abstraction Operations Manager employer: Thames Water Utilities Limited
Contact Detail:
Thames Water Utilities Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Abstraction Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the water industry or related fields. Attend events, join online forums, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their operations and how your skills can contribute to their goals. Practise common interview questions and think about how your experience aligns with the role of Abstraction Operations Manager.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've motivated teams and managed projects. Highlight your ability to balance operational priorities with long-term asset health, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and making a difference in keeping London’s water flowing.
We think you need these skills to ace Abstraction Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in leading teams and managing operational priorities. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Abstraction Operations Manager!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to mention your familiarity with digital systems and any experience you have in the water industry. We’re keen on candidates who can confidently handle complex assets, so let us know what you’ve got!
Highlight Health and Safety Knowledge: Since health and safety is a big part of this role, make sure to include any relevant experience or training you have in safe working practices. We value a proactive approach to safety, so share your insights!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure you don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thames Water Utilities Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the key responsibilities of an Abstraction Operations Manager. Brush up on your knowledge of water supply systems, health and safety regulations, and asset management. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about specific situations where you motivated your team or made tough decisions. This is crucial since the role involves leading a skilled team of technicians.
✨Understand Stakeholder Management
Be ready to discuss how you've managed relationships with internal teams and external regulators. Highlight any experience you have in ensuring compliance with regulations, as this is a key part of the job. It shows you can handle the complexities of the role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the company's approach to sustainability or how they support their teams. It demonstrates your interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.