Operations Director Construction

Operations Director – Construction (London)

Grade: H
Business: Construction – London
Reports to: Managing Director, Construction London

Role purpose

To provide senior operational leadership across a portfolio of construction projects in the London region, ensuring safe, compliant and high‑quality delivery within complex and highly governed environments.

The role provides visible leadership, robust governance and assurance, and acts as a senior interface with clients, partners and internal stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

• Senior accountable owner for the delivery of multiple construction projects
• Provide visible, credible leadership to Project Directors, Project Managers and site teams
• Ensure rigorous governance, assurance, safety and quality standards across the portfolio
• Lead senior client and stakeholder relationships within regulated and high‑profile environments
• Drive commercial performance, managing risk, change, margin and cashflow
• Champion One Team working across internal teams and the supply chain
• Proactively manage reputational, operational and delivery risk
• Embed continuous improvement, sustainability and Certainty of Outcome principles

Knowledge & experience

• Proven senior operational leadership experience within construction
• Strong understanding of governance, assurance and compliance frameworks
• Experience delivering complex, multi‑project portfolios
• Strong commercial judgement and decision‑making capability

Skills & behaviours

• Credible, calm and professional leadership style
• Strong influencing and stakeholder‑management skills
• Decisive, accountable and resilient under pressure
• Values‑led with a strong commitment to safety, integrity and quality

Qualifications

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience
• Chartered or professional membership (e.g. CIOB, RICS, ICE) desirable
• Ability to obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance, where required

Why Wates

At Wates, we are proud of our long‑standing reputation for delivering complex, high‑quality construction projects responsibly and safely. As a family‑owned business with strong values, we take a long‑term view — investing in our people, our partnerships and the communities we work in.

You'll join a collaborative, One Team culture where leaders are trusted to lead, empowered to make decisions, and supported to deliver outcomes that genuinely matter. We offer the scale and challenge of major projects, with the stability, values and support of a business that puts people first.