Location
Enfield, North London

Hours
Full Time, Permanent

Salary
Up to £65,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience

About the Role
We are looking for an Area Operations Manager to join Thames Water in a high-profile and exciting role. You will play a key part in delivering the essential service of water supply to millions of customers and communities today and in the future. You will be accountable for the end-to-end performance of your area across Water Networks, including Repair and Maintenance, ensuring all operational activity is carried out safely, timely, and efficiently with a zero-compromise approach to health, safety, and public health.

Your responsibilities will include managing operational and financial performance with a budget of up to £5 million and serving a customer base of around 1 million. You will ensure outputs align with Thames Water’s Outcome Delivery Incentives set by the regulator and proactively manage operational and financial risks. Compliance with health and safety and Streetworks legislation is critical, with a focus on zero costs from failed processes or policy management.

You will lead efforts to reduce leakage, maintain consistent service to minimise supply interruptions, and respond effectively to customer needs. Building strong relationships with your team of 30-40 people, including 7-10 direct reports across London and Thames Valley, you will foster a culture of collaboration and engagement, supporting career development and local talent growth to build a diverse workforce.

Working closely with key stakeholders and contractors, you will identify risks and opportunities across safety, public health, customer service, finance, and asset performance. A significant part of your role will involve strategic collaboration with asset management teams to ensure seamless handovers and effective investment planning.

Benefits include 26 days holiday (increasing to 30 with length of service) plus bank holidays, car allowance, annual bonus, generous pension scheme, private medical healthcare, enhanced parental leave, and access to a wide range of health, wellbeing, and financial benefits.

Join Thames Water and contribute to building a better future for our customers, communities, and the planet.

Experience
- Excellent operations site leadership in a performance-driven, dynamic environment
- Strong strategic thinking and commercial acumen to meet challenging operational targets
- Ideally, experience in Repair and Maintenance (R&M)
- Proven ability to lead and develop teams across a large geographical area
- Experience managing contractor relationships
- Demonstrated commitment to Health, Safety, and Wellbeing with an uncompromising approach
- Skilled in promoting customer service as the top priority
- Experience maintaining operational grip and leading event response

About you
You are resilient, tenacious, and possess strong communication skills to thrive in a challenging environment. You demonstrate leadership behaviours aligned with Thames Water’s vision and values and are passionate about fostering collaboration and engagement within your team and the wider business.

Qualifications
Specific qualifications are not detailed; however, relevant leadership experience and a commitment to continuous improvement and safety are essential.