Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Location: Manchester

Salary: Competitive Executive Renumeration Package

Purpose of the Role

The Divisional Director Water will be accountable for the leadership, management, and delivery of all operations within the Water Division. With the company operating at a turnover of up to £500m+ per annum across multiple utility sectors, this role is critical to ensuring safe, efficient, and profitable delivery of water contracts and frameworks. The role will provide strategic and operational leadership, ensuring that the Water Division delivers client satisfaction, meets regulatory requirements, and contributes to the overall growth and performance of the company. The Managing Director will work closely with the COO and Executive Team, acting as the key representative for water sector operations.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership for the Water Division, aligning delivery with the companys growth objectives.
• Develop and implement divisional strategies to achieve operational, financial, and client satisfaction goals.
• Represent the Water Division at Executive and Board level, providing strategic insight and recommendations.

Operational Delivery

• Lead the safe, efficient, and profitable delivery of all water contracts and frameworks.
• Ensure delivery meets client expectations, regulatory requirements, and contractual obligations.
• Drive improvements in utilisation, productivity, and operational efficiency across the Water Division.

Governance & Risk Management

• Establish and maintain governance frameworks to ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Identify and manage risks within the Water Division, escalating to the COO and Board where appropriate.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting on divisional performance, risks, and opportunities.

People & Resource Management

• Lead, develop, and support operational managers and teams within the Water Division.
• Oversee resource planning to ensure the division is adequately staffed and skilled to deliver growth.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across all teams.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with water sector clients, regulators, and industry stakeholders.
• Ensure the Water Division is recognised as a trusted and high-performing delivery partner.
• Support business development and bid activity with operational expertise and client engagement.

Key Skills & Experience

• Extensive leadership experience within utilities, with a strong track record in the water sector.
• Proven ability to lead operations at scale in a business of £500m+ turnover.
• Strong understanding of water industry regulatory frameworks, client requirements, and operational standards.
• Commercial acumen with experience in contract management, margin improvement, and financial performance.
• Excellent leadership skills with experience managing large, multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage at Executive, Board, and client levels.
• Experience driving cultural change, innovation, and continuous improvement within utilities operations.

Key Measures of Success

• Safe, efficient, and profitable delivery of all water contracts and frameworks.
• Achievement of divisional targets for revenue, margin, and client satisfaction.
• Full compliance with all regulatory, contractual, and safety requirements.
• Positive client and regulator feedback on the companys performance in the water sector.
• Delivery of measurable improvements in efficiency, utilisation, and operational excellence.
• Development of a high-performing Water Division aligned with company growth objectives.