Operations Manager – Water & Wastewater Utility

About the role

Aqualia is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead daily operations of a major water and wastewater utility. The role ensures safe, reliable, and efficient service delivery while meeting contractual, regulatory, and performance requirements.

Key responsibilities

• Develop, review and manage strategic and annual operational plans in line with legal, regulatory and contractual obligations.
• Continuously improve operational and laboratory processes, procedures and SOPs.
• Plan operational schedules, coordinate staff deployment and optimise resource use across desalination, water treatment, wastewater treatment, distribution networks and industrial effluent facilities.
• Collaborate with the Assets Department to design maintenance strategies that maximise asset performance and lifespan.
• Manage maintenance resources, tools and equipment to maintain a safe and efficient asset base.
• Collect and analyse metering and process performance data; produce regular KPI‑based performance reports.
• Supervise, monitor and evaluate staff performance; develop multi‑process training programmes.
• Ensure compliance with OMSA regulations, environmental permits and JV obligations.
• Drive energy‑conservation initiatives and manage contingency and emergency response plans for operational risks.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Instrumentation, Water, Process or Operations.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in senior operational leadership within multi‑utility water and wastewater environments.
• Proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams and manage complex asset portfolios.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks governing water and wastewater services.

Required skills

• Desalination processes
• Water treatment technologies
• Wastewater treatment technologies
• Asset performance management
• Laboratory analysis procedures
• Operational data collection and KPI reporting