Operations Director

Our client is a leading infrastructure contractor, delivering long-term frameworks and high-volume operational maintenance services for major water and utilities clients across the UK.

They are seeking an Operations Director to lead a growing short- and medium-cycle portfolio, initially spanning multiple frameworks. The portfolio includes developer services, requisitions and diversions, alongside reactive and planned works.

This newly created senior leadership role will take full accountability for operational performance, executive client relationships, profitable growth and organisational capability. The Operations Director will lead three Framework Directors and drive consistent ways of working across a national, matrix-led portfolio.

The successful candidate will scale existing frameworks, shape new client opportunities and ensure the operating model, systems and processes are suited to fast-paced, high-volume delivery. The role offers considerable scope to grow the accounts and, over time, incorporate further water, power and utilities-sector opportunities.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially astute operational leader who combines strong client credibility with the ability to improve delivery performance, develop people and build a sustainable pipeline of profitable work.

• Senior operational leadership experience within a complex water, utilities or high-volume infrastructure framework environment.
• Full P&L accountability, with a track record of delivering revenue, margin, cash and working-capital outcomes.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams across reactive maintenance, developer services, planned works or comparable short- and medium-cycle operations.
• Strong senior client-management and business-development capability, with the ability to identify and convert opportunities into profitable growth.
• Commercial judgement, portfolio governance, forecasting and risk-management capability.
• A proven ability to lead, coach and develop Framework Directors and matrix leadership teams, including succession and resource planning.
• Relevant degree, professional qualification or equivalent senior leadership experience in engineering, construction, commercial or programme management.