Operations Manager

Operations Manager – Scotland

Location: Scotland Central Belt
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Package: Competitive salary + Car Allowance + Flexible Benefits
Reports to: Regional Director

 

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager to lead the safe, successful and commercially effective delivery of our electricity network activities across Scotland.

The role will have primary responsibility for our operations supporting SP Energy Networks (SPEN) and will oversee the delivery of projects across electricity distribution and transmission networks from LV through to 400kV.

 

Our workload is predominantly substation based, covering secondary substations, primary substations and grid sites. The role will also require a sound understanding of overhead line and underground cable activities across distribution and transmission networks.

This is a senior operational leadership position with responsibility for safety, people, programme delivery, customer relationships, commercial performance and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will also be expected to support the wider Scotland operation, provide cover for the SSEN Operations Manager when required and deputise for the Regional Director.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the safe, efficient and commercially successful delivery of operational activities across the region
• Take primary operational responsibility for the delivery of projects and programmes for SPEN
• Oversee projects ranging from LV distribution works through to 400kV transmission infrastructure
• Lead delivery across secondary substations, primary substations and grid sites, including construction, refurbishment, replacement and associated infrastructure works
• Provide appropriate operational oversight of overhead line and underground cable activities
• Lead and develop Project Managers, Site Managers, Supervisors, Engineers, Planners and operational delivery teams
• Ensure projects are appropriately resourced with suitably competent people, subcontractors, plant and materials
• Maintain a strong focus on health, safety, environmental and quality performance, positively challenging standards where required
• Ensure works comply with Freedom requirements, SPEN procedures, relevant DNO requirements, legislation and project-specific standards
• Review operational performance including safety, quality, programme, productivity, cost, margin and customer KPIs
• Maintain effective commercial governance across the regional portfolio, including cost control, forecasting, change management and margin performance
• Work closely with commercial teams to identify and manage contractual risks and opportunities
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with key SPEN stakeholders, acting as a senior operational point of contact
• Lead regular operational and project reviews with internal teams and customers
• Ensure accidents, incidents, near misses and quality issues are appropriately reported, investigated and closed out
• Ensure operational inspections and assurance activities are completed and identified defects or actions are closed within agreed timescales
• Support resource planning and succession planning to ensure the operation has the capability required to meet current and future workload
• Identify competency and development requirements across the operational team and our supply chain
• Drive continuous improvement in safety, productivity, quality, programme delivery and commercial performance
• Support tendering, mobilisation and development of new work opportunities where operational input is required
• Work collaboratively with the SSEN Operations Manager and provide operational cover when required
• Deputise for the Regional Director when required, representing the Scotland business with customers, colleagues and other stakeholders

Essential Experience and Skills

• Significant operational management experience within electricity distribution or transmission
• Strong experience delivering electrical infrastructure projects within a DNO or transmission environment
• Practical knowledge of projects across LV, HV and EHV networks
• Strong experience of substation construction, refurbishment or asset replacement projects
• Good working knowledge of secondary substations, primary substations and grid sites
• Working knowledge of underground cable and overhead line construction and maintenance activities
• Demonstrable experience managing multiple projects, programmes and operational teams
• Strong understanding of health, safety, environmental and quality requirements within the electricity industry
• Strong commercial awareness, including budgets, forecasting, cost management, contract management and project margin
• Ability to manage competing operational priorities and make effective decisions in a safety-critical environment
• Strong customer and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to lead, develop and hold operational teams accountable for delivery
• Full UK Driving Licence with willingness to travel throughout Scotland as required

Desirable Experience and Qualifications

• Previous operational experience working with SP Energy Networks
• Established working relationships with relevant SPEN operational, delivery and commercial stakeholders
• Experience of working across both SP Distribution and SP Transmission environments
• Experience working with SSEN or another UK DNO or transmission network owner
• Current or previous relevant DNO authorisations
• HNC, HND, degree or equivalent qualification in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline
• NEBOSH, IOSH or equivalent health and safety qualification desirable
• APM, PRINCE2 or equivalent project management qualification
• Formal leadership, business or management qualification

Benefits:

We're always evolving our benefits to ensure we're attracting and retaining great people.  Some of what you can expect includes: 

• Company commercial vehicle
• Salary sacrifice car scheme (Hybrid/Electric Vehicle)
• Pension with a leading provider and up to 8% employer contribution
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Personal Wellbeing and Volunteer Days
• Private Medical Insurance
• Free 24/7 365 Employee Assistance Program to support mental health and well-being (including counselling sessions and legal advice)
• Flexible benefits to suit from Dental Insurance, Gym Memberships, Give As You Earn, Travel Insurance, Tax Free Bikes.
• Personal development programme

 

Next Steps

As a business, we’re on a journey to build on our culture where everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. This starts with recruitment and how we bring people into the organisation. 

 

We’ll do our best to outline the recruitment process to you ahead of time with plenty of notice. If you require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met. 

 

About Us 

Freedom are part of the NG Bailey Group, one of the leading independent engineering and services businesses in the UK. Founded in 1921, with a turnover of £600m and 3000 employees, we are proud of our history of developing great people through our investment in training. 

 

You will be working as part of a team where we are committed to creating a culture where we treat each other fairly and with respect, recognising everyone as an individual.

 

Progression is something we value and we will make sure that when you join us you have a clearly defined development path, supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support to enable you to be the best you can be.

 

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