Operations manager

Wates Property Services is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead the mobilisation and delivery of a significant new social housing planned works contract across the Bedfordshire area.

This is a unique opportunity to join a growing business at the beginning of a new client partnership, taking a leading role in establishing successful operational delivery, building high-performing teams, and ensuring exceptional service for residents and clients alike.

We are looking for a candidate who is already operating as an Operations Manager within the social housing planned works sector, with a proven track record of managing multiple projects, client relationships, operational performance, and commercial outcomes.

The Role

Reporting to the Contracts Director, you will be responsible for the safe, compliant and profitable delivery of planned maintenance programmes, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction and operational excellence.

Typical workstreams may include:

• Kitchen and bathroom replacement programmes
• Roofing and external works
• Window and door replacement
• Energy efficiency and retrofit schemes
• Planned refurbishment projects

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the operational delivery of multiple planned works projects across Bedfordshire.
• Manage Contract Managers, Project Managers, Commercial teams and site-based delivery teams.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, residents and key stakeholders.
• Drive operational performance against KPIs, SLAs and contractual obligations.
• Support mobilisation activities and continuous service improvement initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with commercial teams to maximise profitability and contract performance.
• Champion customer service and resident satisfaction throughout all stages of delivery.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental and company standards.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will already have:

Essential

• Significant experience as an Operations Manager within social housing planned works.
• Proven leadership experience managing large-scale planned maintenance programmes.
• Strong understanding of social housing contracts and client expectations.
• Demonstrable experience managing multiple projects and operational teams simultaneously.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience of budget and cost control.
• Excellent client-facing and stakeholder management skills.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Experience delivering retrofit, decarbonisation or SHDF programmes.
• SMSTS qualification.
• Relevant construction management qualification (HNC/HND, Degree or equivalent).
• Experience mobilising new contracts.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Car allowance
• Annual bonus and profit share opportunities
• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Birthday leave
• Enhanced pension contribution
• Flexible benefits package
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities within one of the UK's leading property services businesses

Why Wates?

At Wates, we are committed to creating thriving communities through the delivery of high-quality housing services. Joining us means becoming part of a business that values innovation, collaboration, inclusion and sustainability, while providing genuine opportunities to develop your career.

If you are an established Social Housing Planned Works Operations Manager looking for an exciting new challenge with a major new client in Bedfordshire, we'd love to hear from you.

Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. 

To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting