Operations Manager - Metal Mines

Job summary

Our mine water treatment schemes help protect rivers, wildlife and communities from the legacy impacts of historic mining. As Operations Manager - Metal Mines, you will help manage a portfolio of mine water treatment schemes that are improving water quality and delivering lasting environmental benefits across England and Wales.

This is an opportunity to combine operational leadership, environmental protection and stakeholder engagement across some of the most spectacular landscapes in the UK. You will work closely with contractors, regulators, technical specialists and project teams to make sure nationally important assets continue to operate safely, efficiently and effectively, while helping shape the future design and operation of new schemes.

The role is suited to someone who enjoys solving complex challenges, building strong relationships and driving continuous improvement. If you are passionate about making a tangible difference to the environment, enjoy working with a wide range of stakeholders and want to see the direct impact of your work, we would like to hear from you.

Job description

In this role you will:

• Manage the operation and maintenance of mine water treatment schemes and associated assets, initially in the Pennines and Lake District, with potential to support other areas in the future.
• Act in the capacity of Service Manager using an NEC4 Term Service Contract.
• Work closely with contractors and partners to support safe, efficient and compliant operations.
• Support improvement projects and identify opportunities to optimise scheme performance.
• Manage budgets, contracts and operational risks.
• Build trusted relationships with organisations including the Environment Agency, Defra and Natural Resources Wales.
• Help deliver lasting environmental improvements that benefit rivers, communities and ecosystems.

Person specification

You will bring:

• Experience or transferable knowledge from an operationally focused sector, such as utilities, water, environmental management, engineering, infrastructure or asset management.
• Ability to lead work collaboratively and build strong relationships with contractors, regulators, technical specialists, project teams and partners.
• Sound decision-making skills, with the ability to solve complex challenges and deliver positive outcomes.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement and identify opportunities to optimise operational performance.
• Experience or capability in managing budgets, contracts and operational risks.
• Interest in environmental stewardship and delivering improvements that benefit rivers, communities and ecosystems.
• Requirement to pass basic security checks and meet UK Immigration requirements.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £45,286, Mining Remediation Authority contributes

£13,119 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Why join us?

Make a real difference with flexibility, long‑term security and support for life outside work.

At the Mining Remediation Authority, you’ll do meaningful work that improves people’s lives and protects the environment, while building a sustainable and balanced career.

• Flexibility that fits your life – hybrid working and flexibility in how you manage your time
• Financial security for your future – Civil Service pension
• Time to recharge – 27.5 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, with options to flex more days
• Support through life’s big moments – generous family leave and flexibility when you need it most
• Opportunities to grow – funded learning, development and professional subscriptions
• Wellbeing support you can use every day – including a monthly wellbeing allowance, confidential support and practical health benefits

• Find out more about our full range of benefits and what it’s like to work with us here Life page
• Things you need to know
• Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

A recruitment process designed to help you show your potential

We're committed to making our recruitment process clear, fair and accessible for everyone.

• A fair assessment – applications will be reviewed against the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.
• An opportunity to demonstrate your skills – shortlisted candidates may be invited to complete technical assessments and interviews relevant to the role.
• Clear communication throughout – we'll keep candidates informed of progress and next steps at each stage of the process.
• Support when you need it – reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process to help candidates perform at their best.

Key Dates

We aim to keep candidates informed throughout the recruitment process. Our current timeline is:

• Application closing date: 4 October 2026
• Application sift: 6 October 2026
• Interviews: 13 October 2026

Need a different interview date?

If you're unable to attend on the scheduled interview date, please let us know. We'll do our best to accommodate alternative arrangements where possible.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the

Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window)

and the

Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window) .

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available.

You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Recruitment Team
• Email : Recruitment@MiningRemediation.gov.uk
• Telephone : 03457626848

Recruitment team

• Email : Recruitment@MiningRemediation.gov.uk

Further information

• https://www.miningremediation.co.uk/careers/
• Apply at advertiser's site
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