Principal Operations Manager

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Principal Operations Manager to join Amey on a permanent basis, leading operational delivery across our Strategic Highways Area 10 maintenance and response contract in the North West.

This is a key leadership role where you will work closely with the Account Director, our client and operational teams to drive safe, efficient and high-performing services across the contract.

You will take responsibility for operational and financial performance, providing visible leadership to a workforce of approximately 200 employees while ensuring we continue to deliver an excellent service for our client and road users.

The Area 10 contract covers the maintenance and response of motorways and major roads across the North West of England, helping to keep the strategic road network safe, reliable and moving.

The standard hours of work are 40 hours per week, with hybrid working available.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing strategic and operational leadership across the Area 10 contract, working closely with the Account Director, client and wider contract leadership team.
• Leading the financial performance of the operation, including P&L and balance sheet oversight, margin improvement and cash flow.
• Leading, motivating and developing a workforce of approximately 200 employees.
• Optimising resources across people, fleet, suppliers and subcontractors to support effective service delivery.
• Providing visible leadership across the contract through regular site visits, performance reviews and engagement with operational teams.
• Using management information and performance data to identify opportunities, manage risk and drive operational improvement.
• Developing strong relationships with the supply chain to support quality, value and consistent performance.
• Championing the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing across all operations.
• Building strong and collaborative relationships with our client and key stakeholders.
• Driving continuous improvement, innovation and service excellence across the contract.
• Identifying opportunities to improve profitability and supporting the contract in becoming a strong reference site for future growth and bids.

What we’re looking for:

You will be an experienced senior operational leader with the ability to lead large, complex operations while balancing safety, people, customer and commercial performance.

You will bring:

• Strong operational leadership experience within a complex service or infrastructure environment.
• Experience leading and developing large, multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong commercial and financial understanding, including experience of P&L management.
• Excellent client and stakeholder management skills.
• A strong commitment to health, safety and wellbeing.
• The ability to use data and insight to make effective operational decisions.
• A collaborative leadership style with the confidence to challenge, influence and drive change.
• A focus on continuous improvement, innovation and delivering excellent customer outcomes.
• Resilience and the ability to operate effectively within a fast-paced environment.

Previous experience working within National Highways, strategic highways or a comparable infrastructure environment would be advantageous.

What we can offer you

At Amey, we recognise that our people are our greatest asset. When you join us, we offer you a competitive rewards package and the opportunity to develop your career with one of the UK's leading infrastructure services businesses.

You will benefit from:

• Competitive salary
• Company car or car allowance
• Career development with opportunities to progress across Amey
• Training and development to support your professional growth
• Access to development programmes including Leadership Development, Women@Amey and Multicultural Leadership programmes
• Pension scheme with company contributions
• Minimum 24 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the opportunity to buy an additional five days
• Flexible benefits, including cycle-to-work, charitable giving and gym membership options
• Access to our employee discount portal, offering savings across a range of retailers and services
• Two paid volunteering days each year to support communities and causes that matter to you

Application Guidance

At Amey, we value a culture of diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and believe everyone should have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the minimum requirements for the role.

If you have any questions about the role or require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact Chantal Hayes at Chantal.hayes@amey.co.uk.

If you're ready to take on a senior leadership role where you can influence performance, develop our people and help deliver critical infrastructure across the North West, we'd love to hear from you.