Operations Manager – Water Infrastructure / Utilities | Co. Kilkenny
Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, Ireland
€70000 p.a.
Project Management
Posted 10 days ago
Location: Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny
Company: Established Irish Civil Engineering Contractor
Package: €70,000 to €90,000 DOE package
The Company
This established Irish civil engineering contractor has built a strong reputation for delivering critical infrastructure projects throughout Ireland, with a particular focus on water, wastewater, utilities, and public sector frameworks.
With a strong presence across the Southeast and Midlands regions, the company continues to secure significant long-term infrastructure projects and is expanding its operational leadership team to support continued growth.
The Role: Operations Manager
Based in Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny, this Operations Manager role will support the delivery of multiple water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the Southeast and Midlands.
Reporting into the Water Networks Contracts Manager, you will oversee project delivery from planning through to completion, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with programme, budget, and quality requirements.
This is a senior operational position with responsibility for managing site teams, subcontractors, client relationships, programme delivery, and commercial performance across a portfolio of live projects.
Must Have Requirements:
• Must have 5 years' experience in an Operations Manager, Contracts Manager, or Senior Project Management role within water or wastewater infrastructure
• Proven experience required delivering utility, water, or civil engineering projects in Ireland or the UK
• Strong understanding of Irish Water or UK Water standards
• Experience managing multiple projects, site teams, and subcontractors simultaneously
• Full driving licence required
Preferred Experience:
• Experience working on public infrastructure frameworks
• Strong commercial and budget management experience
• Experience using MS Project and project reporting systems
• Background in civil engineering, utilities, or infrastructure delivery
Nice to Have:
• Engineering or Construction Management qualification
• Project Management certification
• Experience leading operational improvement initiatives
Key Responsibilities:
• Manage daily operations across multiple water and wastewater infrastructure projects
• Ensure full compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality requirements
• Coordinate site managers, engineers, subcontractors, and project stakeholders
• Oversee project planning, scheduling, logistics, and resource allocation
• Lead pre-construction meetings and support project mobilisation
• Monitor project budgets, productivity, and operational performance
• Track KPIs, programme milestones, and financial targets
• Manage subcontractor performance and stakeholder relationships
• Attend client and progress meetings, providing regular project updates
• Ensure accurate project documentation, as-built records, and safety files are maintained
• Identify project risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures
• Support recruitment, training, and development of operational staff
About You:
You are an experienced Operations Manager with a strong background in water, wastewater, utilities, or civil engineering projects.
You have successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously and are confident leading site teams while maintaining strong relationships with clients, local authorities, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders.
You are commercially aware, highly organised, and capable of driving programme delivery while maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and operational performance.
What's on Offer:
Salary: €70,000 to €90,000 DOE
Benefits:
• Company vehicle or vehicle allowance
• Pension
• Bonus
• Healthcare contribution
• Laptop and phone
• Ongoing CPD and professional development
• Long-term career progression opportunities
• Secure pipeline of water and infrastructure projects
Why Apply?
This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing civil engineering contractor with a strong reputation in the Irish water and utilities sector.
You will play a key role in delivering essential infrastructure projects across the Southeast and Midlands while helping shape operational performance within a business that continues to expand.
How to Apply
Call Dara McKenna on 015314345 or email dara@breaghrecruitment.com for a confidential discussion.
Why Breagh Recruitment?
Breagh Recruitment specialises in recruiting Operations Managers, Contracts Managers, Project Managers and Senior Civil Engineering professionals across Ireland's water, wastewater, utilities and infrastructure sectors.
Related Roles: Operations Manager, Contracts Manager, Water Operations Manager, Utilities Manager, Senior Project Manager, Civil Engineering Manager, Infrastructure Manager.
INDCO
Company: Established Irish Civil Engineering Contractor
Package: €70,000 to €90,000 DOE package
The Company
This established Irish civil engineering contractor has built a strong reputation for delivering critical infrastructure projects throughout Ireland, with a particular focus on water, wastewater, utilities, and public sector frameworks.
With a strong presence across the Southeast and Midlands regions, the company continues to secure significant long-term infrastructure projects and is expanding its operational leadership team to support continued growth.
The Role: Operations Manager
Based in Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny, this Operations Manager role will support the delivery of multiple water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the Southeast and Midlands.
Reporting into the Water Networks Contracts Manager, you will oversee project delivery from planning through to completion, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with programme, budget, and quality requirements.
This is a senior operational position with responsibility for managing site teams, subcontractors, client relationships, programme delivery, and commercial performance across a portfolio of live projects.
Must Have Requirements:
• Must have 5 years' experience in an Operations Manager, Contracts Manager, or Senior Project Management role within water or wastewater infrastructure
• Proven experience required delivering utility, water, or civil engineering projects in Ireland or the UK
• Strong understanding of Irish Water or UK Water standards
• Experience managing multiple projects, site teams, and subcontractors simultaneously
• Full driving licence required
Preferred Experience:
• Experience working on public infrastructure frameworks
• Strong commercial and budget management experience
• Experience using MS Project and project reporting systems
• Background in civil engineering, utilities, or infrastructure delivery
Nice to Have:
• Engineering or Construction Management qualification
• Project Management certification
• Experience leading operational improvement initiatives
Key Responsibilities:
• Manage daily operations across multiple water and wastewater infrastructure projects
• Ensure full compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality requirements
• Coordinate site managers, engineers, subcontractors, and project stakeholders
• Oversee project planning, scheduling, logistics, and resource allocation
• Lead pre-construction meetings and support project mobilisation
• Monitor project budgets, productivity, and operational performance
• Track KPIs, programme milestones, and financial targets
• Manage subcontractor performance and stakeholder relationships
• Attend client and progress meetings, providing regular project updates
• Ensure accurate project documentation, as-built records, and safety files are maintained
• Identify project risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures
• Support recruitment, training, and development of operational staff
About You:
You are an experienced Operations Manager with a strong background in water, wastewater, utilities, or civil engineering projects.
You have successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously and are confident leading site teams while maintaining strong relationships with clients, local authorities, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders.
You are commercially aware, highly organised, and capable of driving programme delivery while maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and operational performance.
What's on Offer:
Salary: €70,000 to €90,000 DOE
Benefits:
• Company vehicle or vehicle allowance
• Pension
• Bonus
• Healthcare contribution
• Laptop and phone
• Ongoing CPD and professional development
• Long-term career progression opportunities
• Secure pipeline of water and infrastructure projects
Why Apply?
This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing civil engineering contractor with a strong reputation in the Irish water and utilities sector.
You will play a key role in delivering essential infrastructure projects across the Southeast and Midlands while helping shape operational performance within a business that continues to expand.
How to Apply
Call Dara McKenna on 015314345 or email dara@breaghrecruitment.com for a confidential discussion.
Why Breagh Recruitment?
Breagh Recruitment specialises in recruiting Operations Managers, Contracts Managers, Project Managers and Senior Civil Engineering professionals across Ireland's water, wastewater, utilities and infrastructure sectors.
Related Roles: Operations Manager, Contracts Manager, Water Operations Manager, Utilities Manager, Senior Project Manager, Civil Engineering Manager, Infrastructure Manager.
INDCO
