Head of Technical Operations

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

An exciting and newly created opportunity has become available for a Head of Technical Operations to provide strategic technical leadership at Avonmouth Water Recycling Centre (WRC) and our additional bioresources sites.

Reporting to the Bioresources Director, you will be accountable for the operation at one of the UK's largest water recycling facilities, leading the bioresources improvement programme, biogas team and developing a technical maintenance strategy across our additional biogas sites.
What you'll do

Working with the Bioresources Director, you will deliver a high-hazard operations strategy for Wessex Water Services, using your experience to offer high-hazard technical support to operational colleagues, managing safety in the moment and driving continual improvements.

You will manage the high-hazard biogas operations at Avonmouth WRC while complying with COMAH regulations, as well as supporting the delivery of commercial opportunities at Avonmouth, managing gas production and supporting new innovations for the success of the site.

Your core responsibilities will include:

• managing the Major Accident Hazards at Avonmouth WRC, testing barriers and mitigations regularly, including Power testing and the frequent exercising of the Emergency Response Plan
• managing all operational activities at Avonmouth WRC and technical maintenance across the other biogas sites
• continuing to deliver cultural change within bioresources, embedding a policy of chronic unease at high-hazard facilities
• directing operational teams to optimise resources to align with business aims and comply with internal and external targets which impact future income
• ensuring good liaison with outside agencies such as the Competent Authority, Environment Agency, Local Community and councillors, promoting a consistent approach and the rapid resolution of any conflict or dispute that could adversely affect the business
• defining and prioritising capital maintenance needs to ensure resources are focussed in the right way and available funds are targeted at issues with the highest quality risk and financial payback by working closely with the operations engineering and finance management teams
• managing interfaces with other departments, building relationships and getting fast resolution of any issues
• write coherent executive committee and board papers for review
• support the Asset Maintenance Manager to develop and embed a technical maintenance strategy across Biogas sites.

You will have several direct reports and will collaborate closely with colleagues within asset maintenance management, bioresources operations management, improvement programme management, gas-to-grid management, process engineering and process safety.
What you'll need

In this important role, you will have extensively worked within technical operations and engineering and will have worked at a management level.

Management, collaboration (both internal and external), and influencing skills are an essential part of this role, particularly positively changing cultural mindset.

You will have experience in the utilities sector, in particular water, oil and gas or alternative energy.

In addition, you will have the following education and working experience:

• a degree/professional body status or equivalent in an engineering or scientific discipline
• significant experience working in a high-hazard industry
• process safety leadership experience
• operational and engineering experience
• performance management skills
• strong interpersonal, change management, communication, team, and motivational skills
• extensive knowledge of gas systems, with an understanding of waste treatment systems
• health and safety training and field practice - NEBOSH
• the ability to deal with the media well in emergency situations and on a regular positive PR basis.

What you'll get

• Total pension contributions up to 20%.
• Career progression and professional development opportunities.
• 25 days' holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
• The opportunity to buy up to ten days' holiday and sell up to five every year.
• A healthcare package that allows you to claim back healthcare costs.
• Performance-related bonus.
• Generous private health insurance.
• A car allowance.
• Life assurance of up to eight times your salary.
• A new electric car in exchange for part of your gross salary, subject to conditions.
• Cashback and discounts from more than 3,000 retailers.
• One paid volunteering day each year.
• Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements.
• An interactive health and wellbeing platform.
• Support from mental health first aiders.
• A £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone to work for us.

Who we are

We are one of the top-performing water and sewerage companies in England and Wales, serving 2.9 million people across the South West.

The work we do goes beyond providing an essential public service. We also aim to have a positive impact on the communities we serve and the natural environment.

Our people tell us Wessex Water is a great place to work, which is why so many of them stay with us! You will have the opportunity to develop and progress your career, while also receiving health and wellbeing support.

We also continue to promote diversity and inclusion - with that in mind, all applicants are welcome. We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer.

This is an exciting opportunity to join us and if you would like to be part of our journey, we would love to hear from you. Please do not hesitate to let us know about any additional support you may need.

Sound interesting? Click Apply Now.