Pennon Group
Senior Manager Strategic Operations
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Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose
At Bristol Water, we’ve been serving generations of families since 1846. Ensuring people in our communities have access to healthy water is paramount, which is why we work around the clock testing our water hundreds of times a day.
We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.
Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.
Help shape the future of water services
We're looking for an experienced and inspiring operational leader to join our Networks team as Senior Manager Strategic Operations.
This is a critical leadership role responsible for the strategic management of our trunk mains network, alternative water supply capabilities, emergency response assets, and specialist operational teams. You'll play a key part in ensuring the safe, reliable delivery of drinking water to our customers while driving performance, innovation, and continuous improvement across the business.
If you're a proven people leader with strong operational, engineering and stakeholder management experience, this is an opportunity to make a real impact on the resilience of a vital public service.
What you'll be doing:
As Senior Manager Strategic Operations, you will:
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team responsible for strategic network operations and delivery.
- Manage the maintenance, inspection and repair programme for potable and raw water trunk mains.
- Oversee the deployment of Continuous Water Supply (CWS) and Alternative Water Supply (AWS) solutions during planned and unplanned events.
- Take ownership of the company's emergency equipment and tanker fleet.
- Manage operational and capital budgets, ensuring programmes are delivered safely, on time and within budget.
- Lead specialist contractors and supply chain partners, ensuring high standards of safety, quality and performance.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on customer service, operational efficiency and network resilience.
- Support the delivery of key business performance measures, including supply interruptions, leakage, customer experience and water quality outcomes.
- Develop policies, procedures and working practices that support safe and effective operations.
- Act as deputy to the Head of Networks when required.
- Participate in standby and incident management arrangements to support the delivery of essential water services.
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What we're looking for:
- Significant leadership experience within a complex operational environment.
- Experience managing skilled technical teams and developing high-performing colleagues.
- Strong project and programme management expertise.
- Experience delivering infrastructure, utilities, water or civil engineering projects.
- Commercial and financial management experience, including budget accountability.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and contractor management skills.
- Experience working within fast-paced, customer-focused operational environments.
- Knowledge of pipework construction activities and network operations.
- Understanding of hydraulics, pressure management and network systems.
- Experience managing water quality and disinfection compliance requirements.
- Knowledge of CDM Regulations and health and safety legislation.
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Qualifications
- Degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
- HNC or equivalent qualification in Civil Engineering, Water Management or a related field.
- IOSH qualification or equivalent health and safety certification.
Desirable
- Experience within the water or wider utilities sector.
- Professional chartership or relevant industry accreditation.
Why join us?
This is an opportunity to take ownership of a strategically important function that directly impacts customers and communities every day.
You'll join a collaborative leadership team committed to operational excellence, innovation and continuous improvement, while helping to shape the future resilience of our network and services.
Closing Date:
We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
- Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
- Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
- Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
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