Operational Delivery Manager
Network Operations Manager – Network Maintenance
Location: Northern Ireland
Hours: Full-time, permanent (37 hours per week)
Salary: £43,000 – £53,000 per annum
Apple Recruitment is delighted to partner with a well‑established and highly regarded organisation operating within a regulated infrastructure environment. The organisation is recognised for its commitment to operational excellence and for fostering a supportive, inclusive workplace where employees are encouraged to grow, contribute ideas, and drive continuous improvement.
The Role
The Network Operations Manager – Network Maintenance is a senior operational role responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant maintenance of a regional infrastructure network. The role focuses on ensuring assets are reliable, well maintained, and compliant with safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
You will lead the delivery of operational maintenance programmes, manage contractors and budgets, oversee risk and performance management, and contribute to longer‑term asset planning and improvement initiatives. The role offers exposure to innovation and future‑focused developments as the network evolves to meet changing industry and sustainability requirements.
Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will work closely with engineering, regulatory, and operational colleagues and play a key role in ensuring that maintenance activities support both day‑to‑day operations and longer‑term strategic objectives.
Key Accountabilities
Lead and manage network maintenance and repair activities, ensuring assets meet safety, reliability, and performance objectives
Oversee the delivery of operational (Opex) and capital (Capex) programmes, ensuring work is completed on time, within budget, and to required technical and quality standards
Manage principal contractors and suppliers, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, safety requirements, and contractual obligations
Provide accurate operational data and analysis to support regulatory and performance reporting
Monitor, audit, and continuously improve safety, quality, productivity, and maintenance strategies
Analyse asset performance, incidents, and failure trends, implementing corrective actions and preventative improvements
Provide technical and operational input into asset planning, prioritisation, and reactive maintenance activities
Contribute to organisational continuous improvement and change initiatives
Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams, contractors, regulators, and external partners
Ensure maintenance and repair risks are effectively assessed, controlled, and clearly communicated
Support quality management systems through audits, reporting, innovation, and management review
Contribute to the development of policies, standards, and future technical solutions as the network evolves
Represent operational interests through relevant industry forums and stakeholder engagements
Participate in an engineering standby and call‑out rota as required Act in accordance with professional engineering standards, safeguarding customers, colleagues, and the wider organisation
Criteria
Essential
Engineering Degree, HND, HNC, or equivalent qualification
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in an engineering or infrastructure environment
Proven experience delivering operational work programmes in a regulated or safety‑critical setting
Full, valid UK driving licence
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with contractors, stakeholders, and the public
Strong leadership skills during both planned works and incident or emergency situations
Ability to work independently and as part of multi‑disciplinary teams
Strong IT capability, including Microsoft Office and operational systems
Experience leading, training, and assessing engineering or operational personnel G
ood understanding of industry standards and asset or maintenance management systems (e.g. ISO 55001)
Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and asset records
Right to work permanently in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available)
Working Arrangements
This is an on‑site operational role (no home or hybrid working) Working hours: Monday–Thursday: 8.30am – 5.00pm Friday: 8.30am – 4.30pm
Benefits
Enhanced contributory pension scheme
Free life assurance
“Give As You Earn” charity scheme
Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
Enhanced sick pay (subject to eligibility)
20 days annual leave + 11 bank holidays + up to 5 additional long‑service days
Free onsite parking
Dedicated health and wellbeing support
Cycle to Work scheme
Annual salary reviews
Interested?
If this role sounds like the right next step for your career, we would love to hear from you.
Apply now or contact Apple Recruitment for a confidential discussion.
If this role is not quite right, we are still happy to discuss alternative opportunities.
Apple Recruitment Services is acting on behalf of its client as an Employment Agency and is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer