Operations Manager

The Vacancy

WPS is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead the delivery of planned social housing works across the West Midlands. This role will have overall operational responsibility for a range of internal and external workstreams, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on programme, within budget and to a high standard.

You will oversee multiple projects and teams, working closely with commercial, client and senior management stakeholders on long‑term planned programmes.

Key Workstreams

• Internal planned works (including kitchens, bathrooms and internal refurbishments)
• External planned works (including roofing, externals and fabric works)
• Planned programmes across occupied social housing properties

Key Responsibilities

• Overall operational leadership of planned social housing projects
• Managing multiple internal and external workstreams simultaneously
• Leading and supporting Project Managers, site teams and supply chain
• Ensuring programmes are delivered in line with contract requirements and client expectations
• Working closely with commercial teams to manage cost, performance and risk
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships
• Driving health & safety, quality, compliance and resident satisfaction standards
• Attending client, progress and senior management meetings

About You

• Proven experience operating at Operations Manager / Senior Project Manager level
• Strong background delivering planned social housing works
• Experience working for a Tier 1 contractor managing social housing projects
• Demonstrable experience across both internal and external planned works
• Strong leadership, decision‑making and stakeholder management skills
• Commercially aware with a focus on performance and programme delivery
• Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel across the West Midlands

What We Offer

• Senior leadership role on long‑term planned social housing programmes
• Stable pipeline of work within a well‑established contractor
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Career progression and development opportunities

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

Work for Wates

Wates is one of the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies.  Founded over 125 years ago, we have a proud legacy in the built environment.

We are driven by our purpose, ‘reimagining places for people to thrive’ and our three promises:

• Thriving places – working with customers, partners and communities to create places that are more sustainable, inclusive, and full of opportunity.
• Thriving planet – protecting nature and taking action on climate change by collaborating and innovating with our partners.
• Thriving people – creating opportunities and relationships so that everyone who works for and with us feels included, invested in and treated with care.

We are proud to be recognised as Gold Investors in People and as a Disability Confident employer.  We also ensure that our recruitment processes do not treat anyone less favourably due to an offending background.