Faults Manager

OCU Group; Leeds; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading utility management firm in the UK is looking for an experienced Faults Manager to lead responses to network issues, ensuring rapid fault resolution. Your role will involve guiding teams under pressure while adhering to safety regulations and driving continuous improvement. Ideal candidates will have extensive fault management experience and excellent leadership skills. This position supports a culture of inclusion and values-driven work.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in fault management within a UK infrastructure/utility setting.
• Knowledge of industry procedures and safety regulations.
• Ability to manage high-pressure situations effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate responses to network faults.
• Manage fault response teams and ensure effective performance.
• Monitor KPIs related to service restoration and safety.

Skills

Fault management experience

Operations management

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Job description

Faults Manager

We are seeking a proactive and experienced Faults Manager to take charge of the end-to-end response to network and asset faults, ensuring services are restored quickly, safely, and efficiently.

This key role involves leading field teams, managing operational activities during emergencies, and minimising customer impact. You will oversee fault repairs contract, ensuring compliance with industry standards, safety regulations, and company procedures, all while maintaining a strong focus on safety and customer service excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Fault Response & Operational Management

• Lead and coordinate rapid responses to unplanned faults and emergencies across the network.
• Oversee the allocation of resources effectively and the dispatching of field engineers/crews, and prioritise tasks to meet service level expectations.
• Collaborate with the Client, planners, and technical teams to manage reactive issues.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure fault repair work adheres to UK health and safety regulations and company safety protocols.
• Lead safety briefings, toolbox talks, and risk assessments to ensure team awareness and compliance.
• Support investigations into incidents, conduct root cause analyses, and implement corrective actions.
• Foster a safety-conscious culture throughout operational teams.

Leadership & People Management

• Manage fault response teams, including engineers, technicians, and contractors, ensuring effective performance and teamwork.
• Oversee shift rotas, on-call schedules, and resource availability with the management team to ensure operational readiness.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching, and competency assessments to develop team skills.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing training initiatives for field staff.

Planning & Coordination

• Facilitate fault review meetings and oversee the development of repair strategies.
• Ensure accurate documentation of fault details, repair actions, asset information, and job closure.
• Collaborate with asset management and engineering teams to identify and address recurring fault trends.
• Ensure the timely availability of materials, equipment, and emergency stock levels.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Provide regular updates to customer service teams during major incidents to ensure clear communication.
• Liaise with regulators, local authorities, landowners, and emergency services as necessary.
• Strive to minimise service disruptions, ensuring fault restoration KPI’s are consistently met.

Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor KPIs such as response times, restoration times, repeat faults, and safety performance.
• Analise fault trends to support long‑term network improvement initiatives.
• Champion process improvements in fault management, field operations, and reporting to drive efficiency and effectiveness.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Proven experience in fault management, operations management, or emergency response within a UK infrastructure/utility setting.
• Strong knowledge of relevant industry procedures, safety regulations, and compliance standards.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, with the ability to manage high‑pressure, time‑critical situations.
• Exceptional communication, decision‑making, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Commercial Acumen: Proven ability to manage the financial and commercial aspects of the contract, including cost control, budget management, and driving profitability. Experience in optimising resource allocation and reducing operational costs while maintaining high service standards.

Driven by values, powered by inclusion.

At OCU, our values guide everything we do: integrity, collaboration, respect, innovation and one company united. They shape how we work with our clients, communities, and each other. We believe that inclusion is more than a principle — it’s the foundation of our success. By embracing equity and ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to thrive, we create a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued, and everyone feels they belong.

Together, we build stronger teams, deliver better outcomes, and grow in ways that reflect the communities we serve. If you want to be part of a culture where values matter and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do apply now and help us shape the future together.

If you are invited to progress in the recruitment process, will you require any reasonable adjustments to support you? Please let us know so we can ensure the process is accessible and fair for you. Any information you share will be treated confidentially and will only be used to support you during the recruitment process.