Roads Operations Manager

Ourmob.com.au Chemistry Pty; Walgett; On-site; AUD 71,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary up to 119k AUD

Housing assistance available

Vehicle with private use

Job summary

Walgett Shire Council in northwestern NSW is seeking an experienced operational leader to drive its broad road construction and maintenance program across a rural, geographically diverse network. This hands-on role requires visible field presence, steering crews, plant, contracts and schedules to translate plans into on-ground results, reporting to the Executive Manager Roads.

Suitable applicants will have civil construction/roads experience, ability to lead supervisors, manage multiple

Qualifications

• Experience in roads, civil construction, infrastructure maintenance or related operational environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing supervisors, crews, contractors and heavy plant.
• Ability to plan and manage multiple projects or work fronts at the same time.

Responsibilities

• Manage road construction, rehabilitation, resealing, gravel re-sheeting and maintenance across multiple fronts.
• Lead, support and develop supervisors, operators and field crews.
• Allocate labour, plant, contractors and materials across priorities.

Skills

Roads & civil construction experience

Supervisors/crews management

Project planning

Problem solving

Work Health & Safety

Leadership & communication

Field presence

Driver licence

White Card

Education

Civil/Engineering/PM qualifications

Job description

• Attractive package - $130k+ cash component, subsidised housing, private use vehicle, and generous leave entitlements
• Deliver $12M in capital roadworks across one of the largest local government areas in NSW
• Take responsibility for a large scale civil works program of work and make a visible contribution to communities that rely heavily on Council’s road network
• Five weeks annual leave, plus a week of wellbeing and wellness leave (MyLeave) and long service leave after five years

About the role:

Walgett Shire Council is seeking an experienced operational leader capable of a broad role encompassing operational planning, project oversight and on-the-ground execution of Council's substantial road construction and maintenance program across a large and geographically diverse road network.

This is a hands‑on position requiring a strong, visible field presence. You won't just plan the work; you’ll be out on the network driving it, supporting the coordination of Council's road crews, plant, contractors, materials and work schedules, and ensuring planned works are translated into tangible outcomes on the ground.

Reporting directly to the Executive Manager Roads, and supported by three experienced operational supervisors, you will lead the delivery of more than $12 million in capital roadworks, together with Council's substantial road maintenance and operational programs. You will play a key role in guiding a capable workforce, establishing clear performance standards and ensuring crews consistently understand what is expected from them.

This role offers genuine scope to grow. You'll be exposed to the full breadth of a large-scale civil works program building the kind of broad, practical experience that opens doors to further senior leadership roles within local government.

Key responsibilities include:

• managing road construction, rehabilitation, resealing, gravel re‑sheeting and maintenance activities across multiple work fronts
• leading, supporting and developing supervisors, operators and field crews
• allocating labour, plant, contractors and materials across competing priorities
• preparing and monitoring effective works schedules
• monitoring safety, productivity, quality, expenditure and project progress
• ensuring works are appropriately planned and resourced before crews and equipment arrive on site
• championing continuous improvement to solve operational issues early and implementing practical solutions
• ensuring Council’s plant and equipment is used efficiently and appropriately
• working collaboratively with Council’s engineering, fleet, procurement and finance teams
• maintaining constructive relationships with contractors, government agencies, landholders and the community
• providing clear and accurate operational information to the Executive Manager Roads and Council’s senior leadership team

About you:

You are a practical and confident civil construction professional who thrives in the field. You lead from the front, know how to keep crews moving and productive, and understand what it takes to turn a works program into real, on‑ground results.

You know how to support supervisors and crews, balancing safety, quality, available resources and deadlines without losing momentum. You are comfortable making decisions, addressing problems early, and accepting responsibility for the operational outcomes of your workforce.

You will ideally bring:

• substantial experience in roads, civil construction, infrastructure maintenance or a comparable operational environment
• demonstrated experience managing supervisors, crews, contractors and heavy plant
• the ability to plan and manage multiple projects or work fronts at the same time
• strong practical judgement and problem‑solving skills
• sound knowledge of work health and safety requirements
• the ability to monitor work quality, productivity, expenditure and project performance
• strong leadership, communication and relationship management skills
• the ability to establish clear expectations and hold people accountable
• a willingness to spend time in the field and work directly with operational teams
• a current Australian driver licence
• a current construction industry White Card

Relevant qualifications in civil construction, engineering, project management or related discipline will be well regarded. Council also recognises the significant value of practical experience and demonstrated operational leadership.

Applications are encouraged from candidates with relevant experience in civil construction, roadworks, earthworks, mining, agriculture, transport or other environments involving people, plant and complex works programs. Local government experience will be well regarded, but is not essential.

We recognise that strong candidates may not meet every listed requirement. If you have relevant experience, sound judgement and the capability to lead a substantial roadworks program, we encourage you to apply.

The full position description can be viewed by clicking here.

What we offer:

Council understands that relocating to a remote regional community is a significant decision. We are therefore offering a comprehensive remuneration and benefits package designed to make the opportunity professionally, personally and financially attractive.

The package includes:

• base salary of up to $119,282 per annum, depending on qualifications, skills and experience
• an optional 10% allowance for working a standard 38.5 hour week, providing total cash remuneration of up to approximately $131,210 per annum
• superannuation at 12% in addition to the cash remuneration
• heavily subsidised Council housing or a housing allowance of $11,440 per annum
• a fully maintained Council vehicle with generous private use arrangements, including personal travel up to 1,000 kilometres from the Walgett Shire or car allowance of $6,864 per annum
• assistance with reasonable relocation costs
• five weeks annual leave each year plus a week of wellbeing and wellness leave
• long service leave available after five years of service
• ongoing professional development and training
• direct access to Council’s senior leadership team
• a permanent, full time leadership position with genuine responsibility and authority
• the opportunity to lead a major and highly visible roads program

About us:

Walgett Shire Council serves a large, diverse and unique region in northwestern New South Wales. We provide a broad range of services across multiple communities and are committed to improving service delivery, strengthening long term sustainability and delivering practical outcomes for our residents.

At Walgett Shire Council, our people make a real difference. We offer varied and meaningful work, the opportunity to contribute across a complex organisation, and the chance to be part of a Council that is actively improving how it operates. We are guided by our core values of Respect, Integrity, Ethical Conduct, Courage, Honesty, Accountability and Responsibility.

This is an opportunity to join an organisation where the work is varied, the challenges are real, and the right person can make a genuine impact.

For more information about Walgett please click here.

Applications close at 9.00am on Monday, 19 October 2026.

Council reserves the right to close, withdraw or extend vacancies without prior notice.

Walgett Shire Council is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We encourage applications from people with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse persons, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.