Operations Director - Civil Engineering
Posted 1 hour 45 minutes ago by Fawkes and Reece
Reference: OPSDHH_
Posted: May 7, 2026
Operations Director - Water Utilities / Infrastructure / Civil Engineering
Hertfordshire HQ London & South East Projects Hybrid Working
Excellent Salary + Bonus + Car Allowance + Private Medical Insurance
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Operations Director to lead the delivery of a major water infrastructure and utilities programme across London and the South East.
This senior leadership role is ideal for candidates with a strong background in water utilities, civil engineering, highways, infrastructure, pipeline installation, or planned works delivery who are looking to take ownership of a flagship operational programme with significant long term investment and growth.
The successful candidate will oversee the delivery of a large scale water mains replacement programme involving over 150km of critical infrastructure works, managing operational performance, commercial delivery, safety, client relationships, and multidisciplinary teams across multiple live projects.
Key Responsibilities- Lead operational delivery across major water, utilities, highways, or civil engineering projects
- Manage large planned works and infrastructure programmes valued in excess of £35m annually
- Drive productivity, programme performance, and operational efficiency
- Oversee installation and commissioning activities for water mains and linear infrastructure
- Ensure compliance with highways regulations, permitting, HSEQ, and industry standards
- Lead and develop large operational and project delivery teams
- Build strong client, stakeholder, and supply chain relationships
- Support continuous improvement, Lean delivery, and programme optimisation
We are seeking an Operations Director, Contracts Director, Framework Director, Programme Director, or Senior Operations Manager with experience in:
- Highways
- Utilities frameworks
- Planned maintenance or capital works programmes
- Leading large scale operational delivery teams
- Managing multi site utilities or infrastructure programmes
- Water mains replacement or pipeline projects
- Commercial and budget management responsibility
- Strong stakeholder and client management capability
- Engineering degree or equivalent
- NEBOSH Construction or General Certificate
- Temporary Works knowledge/certification
- Lean, Agile, or continuous improvement experience
- Attractive basic salary
- Performance related bonus
- Private medical insurance
- Long term secured workload
- Senior leadership opportunity within a growing infrastructure business
Based from a modern Hertfordshire headquarters, this role will involve regular travel to projects across London and the South East.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a senior infrastructure or utilities professional to play a key role in one of the UK's most significant water network upgrade programmes.