Operations Director - Water Utilities / Infrastructure / Civil Engineering

📍 Hertfordshire HQ | London & South East Projects | Hybrid Working

💰 Excellent Salary + Bonus + Car Allowance + Private Medical Insurance

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Operations Director to lead the delivery of a major water infrastructure and utilities programme across London and the South East.

This senior leadership role is ideal for candidates with a strong background in water utilities, civil engineering, highways, infrastructure, pipeline installation, or planned works delivery who are looking to take ownership of a flagship operational programme with significant long-term investment and growth.

The successful candidate will oversee the delivery of a large-scale water mains replacement programme involving over 150km of critical infrastructure works, managing operational performance, commercial delivery, safety, client relationships, and multidisciplinary teams across multiple live projects.

Key Responsibilities

Lead operational delivery across major water, utilities, highways, or civil engineering projects

Manage large planned works and infrastructure programmes valued in excess of £35m annually

Drive productivity, programme performance, and operational efficiency

Oversee installation and commissioning activities for water mains and linear infrastructure

Ensure compliance with highways regulations, permitting, HSEQ, and industry standards

Lead and develop large operational and project delivery teams

Build strong client, stakeholder, and supply chain relationships

Support continuous improvement, Lean delivery, and programme optimisation

Candidate Requirements

We are seeking an Operations Director, Contracts Director, Framework Director, Programme Director, or Senior Operations Manager with experience in:

Water utilities

Civil engineering

Infrastructure delivery

Highways

Pipeline installation

Utilities frameworks

Planned maintenance or capital works programmes

Ideal experience includes:

Leading large-scale operational delivery teams

Managing multi-site utilities or infrastructure programmes

Water mains replacement or pipeline projects

Commercial and budget management responsibility

Strong stakeholder and client management capability

Fast-paced, high-volume delivery environments

Desirable Qualifications

Engineering degree or equivalent

NEBOSH Construction or General Certificate

Temporary Works knowledge/certification

Lean, Agile, or continuous improvement experience

Package

Attractive basic salary

Performance-related bonus

Company car or car allowance

Private medical insurance

Hybrid working

Long-term secured workload

Senior leadership opportunity within a growing infrastructure business

Based from a modern Hertfordshire headquarters, this role will involve regular travel to projects across London and the South East.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a senior infrastructure or utilities professional to play a key role in one of the UK's most significant water network upgrade programmes.

Apply now for a confidential discussion or call Rob on (phone number removed)