Head of Operations

Job Introduction

Head of Operations – Northwest England

Join a leading utilities company where innovation, service excellence and people come together. At Last Mile, we are proud to deliver high-quality solutions across the multi utility sector, and as our Operations team continues to grow, we are looking for a talented Head of Operations to join us.

As Head of Operations, you will hold a senior leadership role with full responsibility and accountability for a diverse operational workforce delivering gas, water and electricity utility works across construction projects in the region.

You will lead operational activity to ensure work is delivered safely, efficiently, to the highest quality standards, within budget and in line with customer expectations. You will provide clear strategic and operational leadership, with the technical support needed to strengthen performance, improve productivity and drive continuous improvement across the business.

What’s in it for you as a Head of Operations?

Here at Last Mile, we pride ourselves in providing a great range of benefits including a fantastic amount of annual leave, including a Christmas shut down.

• 25 days holiday, increasing after 2 years by 1 day each year up to 30 days, plus 9 public holidays
• Holiday buy scheme
• Discretionary bonus
• EV and ULEV salary sacrifice scheme (subject to minimum length of service)
• Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
• Up to 7% employer pension contribution
• Volunteering Day
• Life assurance (x4 annual basic salary)
• Retail, travel and leisure discounts via our MilesMore benefits platform
• Refer a friend incentive
• Stream – Financial wellbeing platform
• Employee assistance programme
• Car allowance
• Hybrid working*
• Flexible start and finish times for eligible roles*
• Private medical insurance*
• Company sick pay*

*Some of our benefits are only applicable when you have successfully completed your probation period*

Your responsibilities as a Head of Operations:

• Provide senior leadership for operational teams delivering gas, water and electricity infrastructure works across the region. 
• Ensure all operational activity is delivered safely, efficiently, profitably and to agreed programme, budget and quality standards. 
• Work with senior colleagues to align operational delivery with business objectives, growth plans and continuous improvement priorities. 
• Plan workforce capacity and allocate resources effectively to meet current and future project demand. 
• Drive performance through KPIs, reporting, reviews and timely resolution of operational issues, escalations and non-conformances. 
• Lead, motivate and develop supervisors, engineers, direct labour and subcontract teams, supporting competence, training and succession planning. 
• Champion health, safety, environmental and quality standards, ensuring compliance with policies, regulations, audits and client requirements. 
• Manage tools, plant, equipment, vehicles and subcontractor performance to control costs and improve productivity. 
• Maintain strong governance, accurate site records and effective stakeholder relationships with customers, utility operators, local authorities and internal teams. 
• Promote innovation, best practice, accountability and continuous improvement to support strategic business objectives and operational excellence.

Experience / Knowledge:

• Extensive senior operational management experience, with responsibility for leading large, dispersed and multidisciplinary teams. 
• Strong background in operational leadership within the ICP, DNO, IDNO, GT or IGT sectors. 
• Proven success in delivering operational excellence across utility construction or infrastructure projects. 
• Experience driving process improvement, cultural change and measurable efficiency improvements. 
• Commercially focused experience managing budgets, financial performance and resource planning. 
• Ability to manage relationships with customers, stakeholders and regulators in a highly regulated environment. 
• Relevant hands-on experience is essential, with professional or technical qualifications considered beneficial.

Have you got the drive to go to the Last Mile as a Head of Operations? Apply now!

We aim to keep candidates informed throughout the process and encourage you to apply promptly as we may close the vacancy early if sufficient applications are received.

About us:

Last Mile is one of the largest last-mile multi-utility businesses in the UK.  

We understand construction and we know utilities. We design, build, own, and manage the ‘last mile’ of essential utilities infrastructure.

With a proven history of delivering multi-utility connections across Great Britain, we provide a full suite of utility infrastructure, including clean heat networks, electricity, gas, water, wastewater and fibre.

With a strong track record, deep industry knowledge and solid investor backing, we take a forward-thinking approach to the complex economic, social and environmental challenges of today, to innovate for a better tomorrow. 

Through Last Mile and our asset adoption business Last Mile Asset Management, we provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for new utility connections.

We’re proud to be both a Great Place to Work® certified business and a Living Wage Employer, reflecting our commitment to supporting and valuing our people.

For further enquiries, contact recruitment@lastmile.co.uk or visit our website at www.lastmile.co.uk 

At Last Mile, we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We consider all applications solely on the basis of skills and experience and actively encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.