Join to apply for the Senior Area Operations Manager (Opex) role at National Gas.
Role: Senior Area Operations Manager (Opex)
Salary: £63,000 to £73,000 + range of benefits
Location: Wooler, Northumberland
About Us
National Gas is securing Britain’s energy. We transport gas throughout Great Britain, repair and maintain gas pipelines, and manage the meters that allow millions of homes and businesses to access the energy they need. We are the national gas network, providing secure energy to power Britain, achieve net zero, and maintain our industrial competitiveness.
About The Role
This role provides leadership to an operational team within a defined area of the national gas transmission system. The team is responsible for the maintenance, operation, project delivery, and emergency response associated with compressor, pipelines & installation assets. The purpose of this role is to ensure the efficient delivery of world‑class safety, reliability, and financial performance whilst protecting the local environment and supporting the local community. Travel will be required to various sites within Scotland & North England.
What You’ll be Doing
* Lead and inspire your team – Lead an operational team of around 20 direct reports to deliver great results in safety, asset reliability, and performance, stepping in for the Head of Operations when needed.
* Drive positive change – Lead implementation of transformation projects, helping us evolve how we work and deliver services across the region to maximise efficiency and effectiveness.
* Be a voice at the table – Represent your area in governance and policy discussions, making sure our operational needs are heard and considered.
* Keep people safe and services running – Oversee maintenance, operations, project delivery, and emergency response, ensuring all work is carried out safely and in line with our standards.
* Support new developments – Help bring new assets online, ensuring everything meets our quality standards and contributes to long‑term planning.
* Build a brilliant team – Recruit, develop, and support a high‑performing, inclusive team, encouraging innovation and accountability with a ‘can do’ attitude.
* Champion consistency and improvement – Promote standardised ways of working and lead change initiatives that help us work smarter.
* Manage budgets and resources – Be accountable for financials for your area, ensuring we have what we need to deliver and stay on track.
* Represent us externally – Act as our trusted point of contact for regulators, agencies, customers, and stakeholders, ensuring we meet all legal and regulatory requirements.
About You
* Experience leading operational teams and know how to get the best out of others.
* Comfortable driving change and enjoy finding better ways of working.
* Safety‑conscious and understand the importance of compliance and high standards.
* Financially savvy and can manage budgets and resources effectively.
* Great communicator – whether you’re working with your team, senior leaders, or external stakeholders.
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role. Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK.
Key Requirements And Experience
* Able to demonstrate capability in Gas Transmission leadership qualities.
* Understands gas transmission and its assets, including:
o Experience of operational or technical asset management in gas transmission or petrochemical environment.
o Technical understanding of a wide range of Gas Transmission Assets.
* Sound understanding of engineering policy, procedures and statutory regulations associated with transmission assets.
* Sound understanding of appropriate regulatory and legislative requirements (e.g., Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations, Gas Safety (Management) Regulations, Pressure System Safety Regulations & Pipeline Safety Regulations), company standards and instructions.
* Energetic and enthusiastic manager/leader with drive and ambition.
* Knowledge of gas entry / exit procedures associated with GSMR and the Network Code.
* Excellent leadership and communication skills.
* Good financial management abilities.
* High personal standards of commitment and integrity.
* Ability to establish sustainable relationships with key internal and external personnel.
* A passionate believer in personal and process safety.
Qualifications
* Educated to degree level (or equivalent) in an engineering discipline, or HNC (or equivalent) with substantial relevant experience.
* Membership, or working towards membership, of a relevant professional body e.g. IGEM/IMechE.
* IOSH Managing Safety – desirable.
What We Can Offer You
* Annual bonus of up to 15% based on personal and company performance.
* Company car if mileage requirements are met (10 thousand miles annually).
* 28 days’ holiday plus statutory holidays – option available to buy extra holiday days.
* Generous double‑match pension scheme – for every £1 you put in, we’ll add £2 (max company contribution 12%).
* An optional flexible benefit scheme, including private healthcare, dental insurance, technology plans, travel insurance.
* Death in service 10x your basic salary.
* Financial protection if you’re unable to work due to long‑term illness or injury.
* Excellent family-friendly provisions – maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental leave.
* Professional development and career progression.
* Employee assistance programme offering free confidential professional counselling 24 hours per day.
* Financial support to help you cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions, relevant to your role.
Inclusive Recruitment
At National Gas, we are disability confident, and we are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant, committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve. We celebrate the different experiences our colleagues bring to our organisation and strongly encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply. Please let us know of any reasonable adjustments you need to perform your best.
More Information
Hiring manager: Terry Robertson
Talent partner: Dougie McAllister
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