Group Leader – Highway Delivery (Operations and Technical Services)

Barnsley Council; Cirencester; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Excellent pension scheme

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

Barnsley Council is seeking an experienced Group Leader – Highway Operations and Delivery to provide strategic leadership across operational and technical services for the borough’s highway network. The role involves managing large teams, resources and budgets, and delivering high-quality highway operations with safety-critical oversight.

You will develop and oversee programmes, provide specialist advice, and build strong partnerships with stakeholders to ensure resilient and efficient services.

Qualifications

• Senior leader with experience across large operational services.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work with senior leaders and external partners.
• Desirable membership of a relevant professional body.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop multi-disciplinary teams delivering highway operations and technical services.
• Manage significant resources, oversee complex programmes and projects.
• Provide professional advice to support safe, compliant and efficient services.
• Lead procurement, contract management and budget control, including Winter Service arrangements.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Contract management

Communication skills

Negotiation

Education

Level 7 qualification

Project management qualification

Postgraduate qualification

Job description

Group Leader – Highway Delivery (Operations and Technical Services) | 63,375 - 68,707

Interested in this role You can find all the relevant information in the description below.

Position reference: 50146867Directorate: Place | Service: Highways & TransportationSalary: 63,375 - 68,707Working Arrangements: Agile Working Hours per week: 37Contract type: Permanent We are happy to talk flexible working arrangements with you, please get in touch. See our range of Employee Rewards: Employee rewards and benefitsClosing date: 04/12/2026 at 23:59

The successful candidate will be required to be available outside of services normal working hours as part of a standby rota to respond to out of hours service needs. A standardised standby payment will be made in respect of these duties.

This post requires a Basic Criminal Record CheckProspective employees will be required to give a reasonable account of any significant periods (6 months or more in the past 3 years) of time living abroad.

When applying, please ensure you are prepared to start work with all the necessary legal documents, such as a valid visa, relevant to the type of work you will be undertaking. Please be aware that our organisation does not possess a Home Office license and, as a result, is unable to provide sponsorship for anyone seeking a visa as a skilled or temporary migrant worker.

This role is defined as a safety critical role within the Drug & Alcohol Testing Procedure. You must therefore be willing to comply in accordance with this procedure.

Pensions Regulations have provisions to reduce pension payments in certain circumstances of those who return to work within local government service. If you are in receipt of a pension upon commencing employment with the authority, this may affect your pension entitlements and you should therefore seek advice from the relevant Pensions Authority.

At Barnsley Council you can start a career that makes a real difference to people’s lives, helping our council and residents to be the best they can be.

We’re an award-winning council and one of the biggest employers in the borough, supporting around 243,000 people. We put people at the heart of everything we do, and that includes our employees. As part of the team, we offer lots of benefits and rewards to support you to thrive and grow, like flexible working, employee discounts, support for your health and wellbeing, and opportunities for training and development to grow your career and develop your skills.

There’s so much happening in our thriving borough, and now’s the perfect time to join our excellent Highways & Transportation team as we work to make Barnsley the place of possibilities.

We’re an award-winning team and one of the biggest employers in the borough supporting around 243,000 people.

Working at Barnsley Council means being part of a team that makes a real difference to people’s lives, where you can develop the skills you need to make change happen.

If you join the team you’ll receive great pay alongside an excellent pension scheme. With flexible working we’ll also support your work/life balance, helping you to adjust your hours and take time off when you need it.

We’ll help you to develop your career and grow your skills with opportunities for training and development.

There’s so much happening in our thriving borough and your talent and skills will help us make Barnsley the place of possibilities.

Key to our success is working with our residents, partners, businesses and organisations and building these partnerships to bring about change in Barnsley

About the Post:

We are looking for an experienced, forward-thinking and highly motivated leader to join Barnsley Council as Group Leader – Highway Operations and Delivery. This is a key senior role within our highway service, providing strategic leadership across operational and technical functions that keep Barnsley’s highway network safe, effective and resilient.

About the role

As Group Leader, you will lead and develop multi-disciplinary teams responsible for the delivery of high-quality highway operations and technical services. You will manage significant resources, oversee complex programmes and projects, and provide professional advice to support safe, compliant and efficient services across the borough.

You will play a central role in service planning, performance, risk management, procurement, contract management and budget control. The role also includes leadership of Winter Service arrangements and participation in Highway Safety operational on-call arrangements, making informed decisions during significant network events.

What we are looking for

We are seeking someone with senior-level experience of managing large operational services, multifunctional teams and complex projects within a safety-critical environment. You will bring strong leadership skills, excellent judgement and the ability to influence, negotiate and build effective partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders.

Provide strategic leadership across highway operational and technical services.

Manage large teams, budgets, contracts, projects and service risks.

Lead continuous improvement and support innovation across the service.

Provide specialist technical, operational and legislative advice.

Develop strong working relationships with partners, stakeholders and regional bodies.

Work flexibly to support the operational needs of the council, including relevant rota arrangements.

About you

You will hold a relevant professional or postgraduate qualification at Level 7, or be able to demonstrate extensive equivalent knowledge and experience. A professional project management qualification, or equivalent knowledge and experience, is also required.

Membership of a relevant professional body would be desirable.

You will have strong communication and interpersonal skills, the confidence to work with senior leaders and external partners, and the ability to make sound decisions in a complex, high-profile and safety-critical area of work.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to take on a visible and influential leadership role, helping to shape and improve vital highway services for Barnsley’s communities. You will be part of an inclusive, high-performing council committed to excellent service delivery, continuous improvement and positive outcomes for residents, businesses and visitors.

Why work for us?

We’re committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued and everyone truly feels able to be themselves.

At Barnsley Council, we believe in second chances and value diversity. Our recruitment process is inclusive, and we welcome applicants with past convictions. We're committed to fairness and do not discriminate. Join us in building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

#InclusiveHiring #SecondChances