Operations Manager

Middlesbrough, Yorkshire
NG Bailey

Operations Manager – Cable Engineering (New Connections) North-East EnglandPermanentCompetitive Salary + Company Vehicle + Flexible Benefits

Freedom Group have an exciting opportunity for an Operations Manager to lead the delivery of our Cable Engineering Services contract with Northern Powergrid, focusing on New Connections. This full-time, permanent role is based in the North-East of England and offers a competitive salary, company vehicle, and excellent benefits.

Reporting to the Operations Director, you’ll play a critical role in ensuring the efficient, safe, and high-quality execution of new electrical connection projects across the Northern Powergrid area.

Some of the key deliverables in this role will include:

• Operational Delivery: Oversee day-to-day operations for all new connections work, ensuring delivery to specification, within budget, and on schedule.
• Team Leadership: Lead a team of Project Managers, Supervisors, Planners, Engineers, and Site Operatives. Foster a culture of safety, quality, and performance excellence.
• Client Liaison: Act as the main point of contact with Northern Powergrid for operational matters. Build strong relationships to ensure client satisfaction and contract performance.
• Safety, Health, Environment & Quality (SHEQ): Champion safe working practices and ensure compliance with all HSQE policies, procedures, and legal requirements.
• Project Management: Manage multiple new connection projects concurrently, from initial planning through to final energisation and handover.
• Resource Management: Plan and allocate resources (labour, plant, and materials) effectively to meet project demands.
• Performance Monitoring: Track KPIs, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions to meet contract targets.
• Compliance & Documentation: Ensure accurate and timely submission of project documentation, risk assessments, method statements, and as-built drawings.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise with local authorities, subcontractors, and third-party stakeholders to facilitate successful project delivery.

What we’re looking for:

We’re looking for a results-driven leader with a strong background in cable engineering and operational management. Ideally, you’ll have:

• Proven experience in a senior operational role within cable installation, utilities, or power distribution projects.
• Strong working knowledge of LV and HV cable networks, preferably in a DNO environment.
• Understanding of new connection processes within a regulated utility environment.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent client and stakeholder relationship skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and contract management experience.
• NEBOSH/IOSH or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable:

• Previous experience working on contracts with Northern Powergrid.
• Streetworks knowledge.
• Project Management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, APM).

Benefits:

We’re always evolving our benefits to ensure we’re attracting and retaining great people. Some of what you can expect includes:

• Salary sacrifice car scheme (Hybrid/Electric Vehicle)
• 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays with an option to Buy/Sell additional days
• Pension with a leading provider and up to 8% employer contribution
• Personal Wellbeing and Volunteer Days
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Free 24/7 365 Employee Assistance Program to support mental health and well-being (including counselling sessions and legal advice)
• Flexible benefits to choose from including: Dental Insurance, Gym Membership, Give-As-You Earn, Travel Insurance and Tax Free Bikes.

Next Steps:

As a business, we’re on a journey to build on our culture where everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. This starts with recruitment and how we bring people into the organisation.

We’ll do our best to outline the recruitment process to you ahead of time with plenty of notice. If you require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met. About Us:

Freedom are part of the NG Bailey Group, one of the leading independent engineering and services businesses in the UK. Founded in 1921, with a turnover of £500m and 3000 employees, we are proud of our history of developing great people through our investment in training.

Working across a variety of sectors within the building and infrastructure industry, our innovative, responsible and forward thinking approach allows us to work on fantastic ground-breaking projects, providing solutions using the latest tools and technologies

Progression is something we value and we will make sure that when you join us you have a clearly defined development path, supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support to enable you to be the best you can be