Closing Date 28/04/2025 Operational Solutions Manager Location: This role is Hybrid 2-3 Days office based either Falmer or Durrington West Sussex Purpose of the Role We're looking for a proactive and inclusive leader to join our Wastewater directorate as an Operational Solutions Manager. You’ll lead a team of subject matter experts and technical specialists to develop performance improvement strategies and drive sustainable change. This is a pivotal role, focused on delivering insight-driven solutions aligned with our core goals: compliance, efficiency, and customer service. This position offers the chance to make a real difference—by improving wastewater operations, supporting our environmental goals, and delivering value to our customers and communities. What You’ll Be Doing Develop and lead operational improvement initiatives and strategies using insight and expert knowledge in wastewater, sludge treatment, and networks. Identify underperforming assets and propose cost-effective, compliant solutions. Build and maintain a prioritised pipeline of improvement opportunities, incorporating new technologies and approaches. Collaborate with the Wastewater leadership team and Environment programme manager to align and deliver projects to time, quality, and budget. Lead, support, and develop a diverse team—fostering a culture of continuous improvement, learning, and wellbeing. Champion safety and sustainability across all activities. About You We’re looking for someone who: Ideally has frontline operational experience in wastewater, sludge treatment processes, and/or wastewater networks. Brings deep technical and strategic insight and can communicate complex ideas clearly across all levels. Is curious, flexible, and future-focused, with a strong ability to plan, prioritise, and solve problems. Has strong leadership skills and is committed to building inclusive and high-performing teams. Can balance technical expertise with business understanding to deliver real-world impact. Qualifications & Experience Essential: A degree in an engineering or scientific discipline or extensive equivalent experience in the field. Demonstrable experience leading operational or technical improvement in wastewater or a related sector. Desirable: Project, Programme, or Change Management certification (e.g., PMP, APM). Experience with root cause analysis methodologies (e.g. CAST, Bowtie). What We Offer Flexible working to support work–life balance Opportunities for development and progression An inclusive, values-led culture where everyone is welcome and respected Health, wellbeing, and employee support programmes We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. If you have the skills, ideas, and passion to help us build a better future for our communities and the environment, we’d love to hear from you. Need support with your application? We’re happy to make reasonable adjustments to support accessibility—just let us know.