HV Operations Manager

Location: UK‑wide / flexible (travel to client and project sites as required)
Salary: £105,000 p.a. + car allowance
Start: ASAP

About the company
A privately owned Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) specialist delivering engineering, construction, commissioning and maintenance across Power & Infrastructure, Oil & Gas, Industrial and Commercial. Projects are delivered with a one‑team, safety‑first ethos and a strong focus on quality, efficiency and client satisfaction.

The opportunity
We're seeking an HV Operations Manager to lead and grow a busy High Voltage operations function; owning client engagement from early design conversations through delivery, while steering programme, commercial governance, and team performance. It's a high‑impact role suited to someone with proven HV operations leadership and hands‑on experience of EHV/HV/LV installation, termination & testing (up to 235 kV).

Key responsibilities

* Develop business with existing clients and review the pipeline; partner with BD to open opportunities with new clients.

* Lead early‑stage client discussions from a design and delivery perspective.

* Act as the escalation point and maintain client satisfaction throughout the lifecycle.

* Negotiate variations; ensure EOTs/escalations are handled correctly and collaboratively.

* Keep clients informed through tender/validation—no surprises on cost, programme or lead times.

* Work closely with clients at LOI/LNTP to set realistic delivery dates and manage expectations.

* Lead one or more PMs, Commercial Managers and Lead Engineers with clear outputs.

* Receive and challenge regular reports from PM/Commercial/Engineering leads; intervene early.

* Exercise authority to adjust programme and resources to keep delivery on track.

* Attend principal client meetings and monthly internal reviews; ensure the team holds the right cadence of internal meetings; join weekly reviews and drive actions.

* Ensure company policies/standards are upheld on every project.

* Coordinate effectively with Safety, Procurement, Quality and Planning to remove blockers.

* Report project performance to senior leadership, including the Managing Director.

* Lead risk management with project teams; escalate site issues to the Ops Director/Regional Ops Manager.

* Assure project commercials (accuracy, process compliance, timely approvals).

Commercial & contract governance

* Lead sub‑contractor appointment to prevent scope gaps and misalignment.

* Review contract documentation before signature (programme, milestones, scope clarity, updated risk register from estimating).

* Support Ops leadership to resource the project adequately (labour and core team).

* Hold overall accountability for each project's success alongside the Project Manager.

Skills, attributes & experience

* Degree in engineering/business (or equivalent technical/operational expertise).

* Min. 3 years' HV operations experience with leadership responsibility.

* Comprehensive knowledge of HV inspection/monitoring practices, technologies and client needs.

* Proven innovation and continuous‑improvement mindset.

* Strong relationship‑builder with clients and industry peers.

* Proactive, curious, courageous problem‑solver who delivers practical solutions.

* Cable pull‑in services experience.

* EHV/HV/LV installation, termination & testing up to 235 kV.

What's on offer

Negotiable Salary + generous benefits package

Dynamic, innovative environment with staff events and a collaborative culture.

Career growth with clear leadership development pathways.

Employer pension contribution.

Keywords: HV Operations Manager, High Voltage, EHV/HV/LV, 235kV, electrical & instrumentation, E&I, power & infrastructure, oil & gas, industrial, cable pull‑in, termination & testing, LOI, LNTP, variation, EOT, commercial governance, commissioning