Head of Operational Management – Permanent
Central Reading | Hybrid – 3 days per week in the office
Lead operations. Drive performance. Make a difference across critical infrastructure.
Are you an experienced operational leader with a background in complex, asset‑intensive environments? Do you thrive on improving service performance, strengthening operational governance and leading teams through change?
We’re looking for a Head of Operational Management to lead operational service delivery across a critical infrastructure estate. This is a senior leadership opportunity to shape operational strategy, drive supplier performance and ensure essential services are delivered safely, efficiently and consistently.
We’re particularly interested in individuals from utilities, rail, transport, energy or other asset‑heavy infrastructure sectors, as well as those with relevant telecoms experience.
The role
You’ll take ownership of operational service delivery, ensuring robust performance management, effective governance and continuous improvement across a complex supplier and stakeholder environment.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Leading operational service functions, teams and managers to deliver consistently high standards.
- Developing operational strategies, service plans, KPIs and performance management frameworks.
- Overseeing incident, problem, change, event and service continuity management.
- Managing supplier relationships and contractual performance, driving accountability and service improvements.
- Strengthening operational governance, site access, permitting, safety and compliance.
- Monitoring service performance, managing operational risks and leading incident recovery and root cause analysis.
- Driving asset optimisation, operational efficiency and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Building effective relationships with senior stakeholders, partners and external suppliers.
- Leading operational transformation and developing a high‑performing, service‑focused organisation.
What we’re looking for
- Significant experience leading operational services within a complex infrastructure, utilities, rail, transport, energy, telecoms or similar environment.
- A strong track record of improving operational performance, service delivery and supplier outcomes.
- Experience managing critical services, operational incidents, service continuity and business risk.
- The ability to establish effective governance, performance frameworks and continuous improvement programmes.
- Strong commercial awareness and experience managing external suppliers and contractual obligations.
- Proven leadership skills, including developing teams and influencing senior stakeholders.
- The ability to balance safety, customer, commercial and operational priorities in a complex environment.
- Experience leading organisational change or large‑scale operational transformation.
- Strong team management/leadership capabilities.
Experience working with geographically dispersed teams, within a joint venture or multi‑stakeholder organisation, or in a safety‑critical environment would be advantageous.
Why consider this opportunity?
This is an opportunity to take a strategic leadership role in a complex, operationally critical environment, with the scope to influence performance, strengthen service delivery and drive meaningful organisational improvement.
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