Regional Operations Director EMEA (m/f/d) - #2716889

Job Description

BW Water, a De Nora company is a global provider of advanced water and wastewater treatment solutions, delivering complex EPC projects that support sustainable infrastructure worldwide. With a strong international footprint and a growing EMEA presence, we are now seeking a highly experienced Regional Operations Director EMEA (m/f/d), based either in Stuttgart, Darmstadt or Klipphausen; Germany to lead and scale our operations across the region.

The Regional Operations Director is a key leadership position responsible for driving operational excellence, project delivery performance, and organizational capability across the region.

You will oversee end-to-end execution of water and wastewater EPC projects, ensuring consistent delivery on time, within budget, and in line with the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance. In parallel, you will play a central role in building a high-performing regional organization and strengthening BW Water’s market position across EMEA.

This role is critical in translating global strategy into regional execution excellence.

Job requirements

• Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (Master’s/MBA preferred)
• Progressive leadership experience in EPC in water/wastewater industries
• Proven track record delivering large-scale infrastructure projects in complex environments
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Strong financial and commercial acumen with budget ownership experience
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Strong commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence
• Willingness to travel across the EMEA region and internationally
• Fluent in English and German (additional European languages are a plus)
  
  

Job responsibilities

Regional Operational Leadership

• Lead and develop all operational functions across EMEA: Engineering, Project Management, Supply Chain, Field Services, Quality, and EHS
• Define and implement operational strategies that improve efficiency, execution quality, and scalability
• Deploy best practices, systems, and digital tools to standardize and optimize operations
  
  

Project Delivery & EPC Execution

• Oversee a portfolio of complex water and wastewater EPC projects across EMEA
• Hold full accountability for budget, project execution performance, including schedule, quality, risk, and outcomes
• Strengthen project governance and execution discipline across all projects
• Take hands-on responsibility for project execution performance, ensuring strong alignment between strategy and day-to-day delivery
  
  

Financial & Commercial Performance

• Own regional operational performance in close collaboration with Finance
• Ensure strong project-level financial discipline, cost control, and margin optimization
• Lead budget planning, forecasting, and variance analysis across operations
• Enable project teams toproactively manage financial outcomes
  
  

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of senior operational and functional managers and employees
• Foster a culture of accountability, performance, and continuous improvement
  
  

Risk, Safety & Compliance

• Identify, assess, and mitigate operational and project risks across the region
• Ensure strict adherence to safety, environmental, and regulatory standards
• Promote a zero-harm mindset across all operational activities
  
  

Stakeholder & Client Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, suppliers, and regulatory bodies
• Represent BW Water in key client discussions and strategic engagements
• Ensure high levels of client satisfaction and long-term partnership development
  
  

Sales & Project Transition Support

• Collaborate with the commercial team on bids, proposals, and tender processes
• Ensure seamless transition from sales to execution, including resource and delivery readiness
  
  

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Drive operational excellence initiatives across EMEA
• Identify and implement improvements in productivity, cycle time, and resource utilization
• Share best practices across global operations in collaboration with headquarters
  
  

Job benefits

• Your well-being matters – benefit from a flexible health budget you can use for preventive medical check-ups, glasses, professional dental cleanings, and more.
• Your future is important to us – we support your long-term financial security with a company pension scheme (betriebliche Altersvorsorge) and up to 20% employer contribution.
• Your everyday life should be easier – enjoy access to a Corporate Benefits program with exclusive discounts and special offers across a wide range of shops, brands, and products.
• Stay mobile and sustainable – with our company bike leasing program, you can easily lease your dream bike while promoting your health and protecting the environment.
• Your health is important to us – that’s why we continue to support you financially beyond the statutory 6 weeks in case of illness.
  
  

Notice to recruitment agencies, headhunters, temporary staffing firms, and similar service providers

We kindly ask that you refrain from submitting candidate profiles without prior agreement with us. In the interest of the candidates and to avoid an excessive volume of emails, we aim to promote a respectful and transparent exchange. We would also appreciate it if you could refrain from contacting us by phone regarding unsolicited candidate proposals. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

Kindly ensure that all application documents are submitted in English.