Area Operations Manager

Job Description Join Our Team: Area Operations ManagernnWere excited to welcome a new Area Operations Manager at our North West location.nnNavigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.nnWorking Hours & LocationnnThis role follows a 37 hours, over a 7-day working pattern. This role will be based at Rosegrove Depot , requiring regular travel to our North West Waterways and to our main hubs for collaborative meetings and team activities. The area of responsibility coversLeeds and Liverpool canal from top Lock wigan to Greenberfield Locks at Barnaldswick. The operational area includes additional sites such asWalton Summit Branch and the following reservoirs Winterburn, Whitemoor, Slipper Hill, Upper and Lower Foulridge, Barrowford and Rishton.nnnnRole OverviewnnIn this role you will lead a team of 11colleagues (Team Leader, Volunteering Leaders, Operatives plus apprentice), as well as numerous volunteers, focusing on day-to-day operational management and maintaining safety management protocols across the Walton Summit Branch and the following reservoirs Winterburn, Whitemoor, Slipper Hill, Upper and Lower Foulridge, Barrowford and Rishton.nnSee our network here:https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network nnHaving established ourselves as a major charity, we are now on a journey to deliver ambitious new plans and central to this is the area structure that will enable us to deliver an outstanding service to all users and customers across our amazingly diverse network. Join us, as one of our new Area Operations Managers, and youll play a key part in making sure this happens, as you take ownership of the quality and presentation of the waterways in your area.nnYoull be the main contact for a huge variety of people not just colleagues and volunteers but internal users, visitors, customers and community representatives as well. By engaging with them, listening to them, and understanding their needs, youll be able to build up a complete picture of service-related and operational issues. You will also be responsible for delivering operational activities, works and improvement programmes across your area, leading and motivating internal teams and supervising contractors to ensure a successful outcome every time.nnThroughout your work, you will be addressing key customer concerns and using your local knowledge to ensure we operate a reliable waterway network. And, most important of all, you will be helping us prove that lifes better by water, by transforming our canals and rivers into spaces that bring wellbeing benefits to huge numbers of local people every day.nnKey ResponsibilitiesnnKey correspondent for engaging with and listening to users, visitors, colleagues and volunteers to have a complete picture of service related and operational issues in their area.ntDevelopment and implementation of a prioritised improvement programme to encourage greater participation with increasing levels of visitor satisfaction and aimed delivering against the Trusts framework of strategic objectives.ntWork collaboratively with colleagues across the area and wider Trust for the completion of works, delivery of wider Trust wellbeing, engagement, promotional and other activities.ntLiaison with and coordinate Trust priorities with other teams to ensure all works and initiatives within their area are programmed and delivered with current and future visitors in mind. Influence colleagues in relation to the delivery of works outside the scope of their own team to deliver.ntManage minor projects typically grant funded valued to 20k, achievement of outcomes and budget compliance, required reporting and other standards.ntDevelop and grow the volunteering contribution to the care of the waterways with a targeted, engaging and satisfying programme of opportunities.ntLine management, coaching and mentoring of a team of paid colleagues and volunteers to operate the waterway; and deliver a planned programme of maintenance works to high quality, in time and to budgets; and reactive tasks as circumstances require. Planning of work schedules and rotas. Organise and oversee the daily operation of an area of the network to provide a 7-day operational service.ntKey contact with contracting partners in the undertaking of activities associated with the delivery of planned contracted and arising tasks in the Operational Contracts area. Undertake specialist activities (example Diving Contract Administration), as needed for the area and more widely where required.ntIdentify and implement opportunities for efficiencies, achieving budgetary targets each year.ntParticipation in the planning and delivery of a 24/7 on call response, to ensure visitor and neighbour safety and satisfaction is maintained at all times. Ensure availability of colleagues to resource the rota.ntResponsible for equipment, vehicles and buildings to the required standards to ensure their availability for works and cost effectiveness.nnnAbout younnGiven how many different kinds of internal and external stakeholders youll be dealing with, its vitally important that you have excellent communication and influencing skills along with proven experience of leading successful teams and of managing and motivating groups of volunteers. You will also need substantial experience of developing and delivering programmes of work that have been effective in turning a strategic vision into reality.nnSafety is another major part of your remit, so you must have proven experience of safety management and, if you havent already gained a NEBOSH certificate, then working towards one will be beneficial. nnA full valid driving licence is essential as you will need to be readily mobile across your area of responsibility.nnSkills & QualificationsnnUnderstanding and translating a strategic vision; and developing and delivering programmes of work, on time and on budget.ntCustomer focused work which demonstrates the ability to deliver technical challenges in an operational management visitor / infrastructure network.ntSuccessfully leading teams and demonstrating delivery through others.ntImproving and maintaining motivation and engagement within teams, and of demonstrating a strong people focus.ntEnvironment to deliver an excellent visitor experience.ntExcellent interpersonal, leadership and communication skills.ntProven comprehensive experience of safety management with some experience of the Construction (Design & Management) regulations.ntSolid experience of effective and efficient delivery processes and cost control; and managing budgets.ntProven experience of working with, growing the support from and managing volunteers.ntGood experience of contract management.nnnQualifications:nnEducated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject, desirable.ntFull and valid driving licence.nnnContact & ApplicationnnIf you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.nnWhat We OffernnWe offer an annual salary of 40,838 + 390 per month Car Cash Allowance. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1. nnLearn more:https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefitsnnnnIND MP

Created: 2026-04-14