Description
Overview
Our client, a leading civil engineering contractor, is seeking an experienced and commercially focused Operations Director to provide strategic, operational, and people leadership across multiple civils projects. This is a pivotal role with responsibility for driving delivery, performance, safety, and profitability across the division.
The ideal candidate will bring deep civils experience, exceptional leadership capability, and a track record of managing complex infrastructure, highways, utilities, groundworks, or major construction programmes.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Business Performance
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Lead the operational strategy for the civils division, ensuring alignment with group business objectives.
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Drive continuous improvement across project delivery, productivity, quality and client satisfaction.
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Oversee the planning and allocation of resources across multiple concurrent projects.
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Support business growth through bidding, tender review, client development, and operational input to new frameworks.
Operational Delivery
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Ensure all projects are delivered safely, on time, to specification and within budget.
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Implement consistent project management standards, reporting structures, and governance.
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Monitor project performance, productivity, risk, early warnings and commercial outcomes.
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Champion operational excellence, innovation, digital tooling, and modern construction methods.
Health, Safety, Quality & Compliance
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Act as a visible leader for safety, promoting a strong safety-first culture across all sites.
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Ensure compliance with CDM regulations, company policies, accreditation standards and legal obligations.
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Drive quality improvement initiatives and ensure robust auditing processes are in place.
People Leadership
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Lead, develop and mentor Project Managers, Site Managers, Engineers and wider operational teams.
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Promote a collaborative, accountable and high-performing team culture.
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Support workforce planning, succession development and talent retention across the division.
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Build strong internal relationships with commercial, SHEQ, HR, and support functions.
Financial & Commercial Oversight
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Own the operational budget, forecasting, cost control and margin improvement.
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Review CVRs, WIP reports, risk registers and contractual matters with the commercial team.
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Drive efficiencies, improve productivity, and ensure commercial risk is managed effectively.
Client & Stakeholder Management
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Build strong relationships with key clients, supply chain partners and industry stakeholders.
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Ensure the company is seen as a trusted delivery partner, securing repeat work and long-term frameworks.
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Represent the business at senior-level meetings, industry forums and bid interviews as required.
Skills, Experience & Qualifications
Essential
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Proven senior operations leadership experience within civil engineering or heavy infrastructure.
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Strong track record of delivering multiple civils projects (highways, groundworks, earthworks, utilities, structures, drainage, RC works or similar).
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Deep understanding of industry standards, CDM regulations, safety culture and quality systems.
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Commercially astute with experience in forecasting, budgets, CVRs and contract management.
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Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
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Ability to drive cultural change, performance improvement and operational discipline.
Desirable
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Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or related discipline.
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Chartered status (ICE, CIOB) or working towards it.
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Experience in framework environments or Tier 1 contractor operations.
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Strong capability in digital construction, data-driven decision-making, and systems implementation.
What This Role Offers
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Senior leadership responsibility within a respected civils contractor.
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Influence over business strategy, operational direction and growth.
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Competitive package with strong progression opportunities.
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A chance to shape and build a high-performing civils delivery division.