Senior Operations Manager – Geotechnical Services

UKund Control
Senior Operations Manager

Location: National

Salary: Competitive

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday

What you’ll do:

At Ground Control Geotechnical Solutions, our mission is to deliver innovative, sustainable, and high-quality geotechnical services that drive safe and efficient infrastructure development. We are committed to operational excellence, environmental stewardship, and fostering long-term value for our clients and communities.

The Senior Operations Manager oversees the operational, financial, and environmental performance of Ground Control Geotechnical Solutions, with a focus on leading the Drilling Manager and Groundwork Manager to achieve excellence in project delivery. This role combines strategic leadership with operational oversight, ensuring tendering processes, sustainability initiatives, and resource management align with the company’s growth and environmental goals. The Senior Operations Manager will drive continuous improvement, embed sustainability into operations, and ensure the department achieves its financial, safety, and client satisfaction targets.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership
   • Develop and implement operational strategies to meet departmental and organisational goals.
   • Align department operations with the company’s environmental, financial, and business objectives.
   • Identify opportunities for growth, innovation, and sustainability improvements across operations.
   • Monitor performance metrics for operational efficiency, financial success, environmental impact, and client satisfaction.
2. Tendering & Business Development
   • Oversee tendering processes, working closely with the commercial team to secure profitable contracts.
   • Develop competitive bids by collaborating with technical teams to define scopes, methodologies, and resource requirements.
   • Provide operational insight into tendering, ensuring proposals are achievable and align with client expectations.
   • Maintain strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, contributing to the company’s reputation for excellence.
   • Identify opportunities for new business development within the geotechnical sector.
3. Operational Management
   • Oversee the Drilling Manager and Groundwork Manager, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to quality standards.
   • Plan and allocate resources across teams, ensuring optimal utilisation of personnel, equipment, and materials.
   • Monitor and report on project progress, addressing challenges proactively to ensure successful outcomes.
   • Manage the mobilisation and demobilisation of resources to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
4. Environmental & Sustainability Leadership
   • Drive the integration of sustainability practices into all departmental operations.
   • Ensure drilling and groundwork activities minimise environmental impact, including waste reduction, energy efficiency, and groundwater protection.
   • Lead initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and promote the use of sustainable materials and practices.
   • Monitor and report on the department’s environmental performance, identifying areas for improvement.
   • Champion sustainability as a core value, fostering awareness and engagement across teams.
5. Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) Compliance
   • Promote a culture of safety and environmental responsibility across all operations.
   • Ensure compliance with HSE regulations, CDM requirements, and company policies.
   • Oversee the implementation of safety programmes, risk assessments, and incident investigations.
   • Drive continuous improvement in safety practices and performance.
   • Support environmental assessments and compliance with environmental permits and regulations.
6. Financial & Budgetary Oversight
   • Manage departmental budgets, ensuring profitability and financial efficiency.
   • Work with the finance team to monitor revenue, cost control, and forecasting.
   • Identify financial risks and implement measures to mitigate them.
   • Oversee cost management in tenders, ensuring competitive pricing while maintaining profitability.
7. Client & Stakeholder Engagement
   • Act as a senior point of contact for key clients and stakeholders, ensuring satisfaction with project delivery.
   • Provide regular updates to clients on progress, sustainability initiatives, and operational excellence.
   • Represent Ground Control Geotechnical Solutions in client meetings, industry forums, and sustainability panels.
   • Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and industry partners.
8. Team Development & Leadership
   • Lead by example, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
   • Support the development of the Drilling Manager, Groundwork Manager, and their teams through mentoring and training.
   • Identify skills gaps within the department and implement strategies to address them.
   • Conduct regular performance reviews and succession planning for key leadership roles.

What we’re looking for:

Essential Skills & Experience

• Significant experience in a senior operational role within the geotechnical, civil engineering, or construction industries.
• Proven track record in managing tendering processes and winning contracts.
• Strong understanding of sustainability practices and environmental regulations.
• Leadership experience with the ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams and complex operations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of HSE regulations, CDM requirements, and risk management principles.
• Financial management expertise, including budget planning, cost control, and forecasting.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and client engagement skills.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
• Qualifications in sustainability or environmental management (e.g., IEMA certification).
• Leadership certifications or qualifications (e.g., ILM, CMI, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with operational software and data management systems.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic Thinker: Able to align operations with broader business and sustainability objectives.
• Leadership: Inspires and motivates teams to achieve high performance.
• Problem-Solver: Proactively addresses challenges with innovative and practical solutions.
• Detail-Oriented: Ensures compliance with quality, safety, and environmental standards.
• Resilient: Thrives in high-pressure environments and adapts to changing priorities.
• Collaborative: Builds effective relationships with clients, teams, and stakeholders.

Health & Safety Responsibilities

As the Senior Operations Manager, you are responsible for:

• Leading the implementation of health and safety policies and procedures.
• Conducting regular safety and environmental audits and inspections.
• Ensuring all teams are trained and equipped to operate safely and sustainably.
• Investigating incidents and implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Training & Development

The role offers access to professional development, including:

• Leadership and management training programmes.
• Technical training in sustainability and geotechnical processes.
• Health and safety certifications, including SMSTS and NEBOSH.
• Opportunities to attend industry conferences, tendering workshops, and environmental forums.

Why join us:

Career Development Focus: We’re committed to supporting your professional growth with clear career paths, training, and tailored development programs, including our GC Leadership Academy, job specific accreditations and higher education opportunities.

Exciting Growth Opportunities: Be part of a rapidly growing company with a dynamic team and expanding client base.

Collaborative Environment: Work in a supportive, engaging, and innovative culture where your contributions are valued.

Competitive Package: Enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package, along with flexible working options, including:

• 23 days holiday, Increasing with length of service + bank holidays
• Yearly bonus scheme & Share options
• Robust pension scheme
• Medigold employee support, Free Flu Jabs, Online private GP Service
• Free or subsidised national gym memberships
• Employee Recognition Scheme
• 2 personal choice volunteering days

Ground Control

Ground Control is a UK-based grounds maintenance company powered by the latest technology. Since launching in 1973, Ground Control has grown rapidly and now provides full national coverage for our customers across the UK and Ireland.

We deliver a range of services, including grounds maintenance, winter gritting, landscape construction, design, arboriculture, electric vehicle charging point installation to more than 50,000 commercial properties across the UK.

If you are looking to invest in your future with a business that puts people at the centre of everything, click the apply now button below to speak to a member of our team.

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