4032 - Senior Operations Manager (Inspection) - Disused Tips Authority - Up to 3 posts

Job summary

Establishing the Disused Tips Authority

The Disused Tips Authority (DTA) will become fully operational on 1 April 2027. We are recruiting now for a number of senior leadership roles to help shape the organisation, build its capability and culture, and prepare the Authority to assume its statutory responsibilities from day one.This is a unique opportunity to join the DTA during its formative stages and play a key role in establishing a new public body for Wales.

Important: The Disused Tips Authority is a separate organisation from the Welsh Government. Please disregard any Welsh Government guidance, policies, or recruitment information linked within this advert and refer to the accompanying Candidate Information Pack for the information relevant to this vacancy.

Help deliver the inspection service that will protect communities across Wales.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key operational role in one of Wales' newest public organisations.

As Senior Operations Manager (Inspection), you'll lead inspection teams responsible for assessing and monitoring disused mine and quarry tips, ensuring inspections are delivered safely, consistently and in line with statutory requirements.

Job description

Working closely with technical specialists, operational colleagues and external partners, you'll ensure high-quality inspection activity provides the evidence needed to identify risk, inform operational decisions and protect communities.

Reporting to the Head of Inspection Operations, you'll help establish professional standards, build team capability and create a culture of safety, consistency and continuous improvement.

This is an opportunity to help build a national inspection service from the ground up.

To learn more about the Authority's purpose, ambitions, culture, values, benefits and recruitment journey, please review the Candidate Information Pack and recruitment video.

Help build a new public body for Wales: Disused Tips Authority for Wales

General Candidate Information Pack - 2026 Recruitment Campaign

Person specification

What you'll be responsible for

Leading inspection delivery

You'll lead inspection teams delivering field-based assessment and monitoring across Wales, ensuring inspections are completed safely, consistently and in accordance with statutory requirements and organisational standards.

Managing operational risk

You'll ensure inspection findings are translated into clear operational intelligence, identifying emerging risks and escalating issues appropriately to support effective decision-making and public safety.

Maintaining professional standards

You'll promote high standards of technical practice, quality assurance and operational consistency, supporting continuous improvement across inspection activity and help to develop national standards and communities of practice.

Working collaboratively

You'll build positive relationships with landowners, local authorities, contractors and other partners, recognising that effective inspection and risk management depends upon collaboration.

Developing people and capability

You'll lead, coach and support inspectors, creating an environment where people can develop professionally, work safely and deliver high-quality outcomes.

Qualifications

A degree in engineering, geotechnical engineering, civil engineering, environmental science or a related discipline; OR a HNC/HND (or equivalent) supported by significant relevant operational experience in inspection, engineering, environmental or infrastructure disciplines.

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Inspection & Field Operations
• Risk, Safety & Operational Practice
• Data, Evidence & Decision Making
• Leadership & Team Development
• Partnership Working
• Communication & Judgement
• Professional Expertise

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.

Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

The selection process and stages are:

Number of Stages:2 stage processStage 1Application FormStage 2Interview

Assessment

Our assessment process is designed to evaluate candidates against three core areas: technical capability, values and leadership.

Stage 1 - Technical capability to be tested via CV and Statement of Suitability

Stage 2 - Technical Capability and Our Values to be tested via interview

Please refer to the candidate pack for further detail.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for these opportunities.Candidates offered reserve status will remain on the reserve list until the Disused Tips Authority is established in April 2027. Those placed on the reserve list will only be considered for opportunities within the Disused Tips Authority and will not be considered for Welsh Government vacancies.

Desirable

The following qualities are desirable and will only be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage:

1. Welsh Language -the Disused Tips Authority is committed to operating as a bilingual organisation and to providing services in both Welsh and English. We want our workforce to reflect the communities we serve and to play an active role in pro