Highway Maintenance Manager

Abatec Recruitment; South Ribble; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Highway Maintenance Manager in South Ribble. The role involves leading operational teams, managing safety compliance, and ensuring service delivery in highway maintenance. Ideal candidates will have proven industry experience, strong leadership skills, and a full UK driving licence. With competitive salary and benefits, this position also offers opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Company pension (5% employer contribution)

Training opportunities

Qualifications

• Track record of meeting service KPIs and working to budgets.
• Understanding of highways legislation and health & safety compliance.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support supervisory and operational teams to deliver highway maintenance services.
• Oversee programme management for core works and promote a safe working culture.
• Manage winter maintenance operations and ensure 24/7 incident response cover.

Skills

Proven experience in reactive highway maintenance

Strong people management and HR process knowledge

Excellent organisational, communication, and project management skills

Education

Professional qualifications (e.g. IOSH, NEBOSH, SMSTS)

Job description

Overview

Benefits include: 25 days holiday + bank holidays, company pension (5% employer contribution), free life policy, company vehicle, staff perks, training opportunities, and more.

About the Role

We're looking for an experienced Highway Maintenance Manager to lead the delivery of essential highway services. You'll oversee day-to-day operations, manage teams, and ensure compliance with safety, quality, and performance standards.

This is a hands-on leadership role, ideal for someone with strong industry experience and the drive to improve services while maintaining the highest safety and operational standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support supervisory and operational teams to deliver highway maintenance services.
• Oversee programme management for core works, ensuring collaboration with clients and internal teams.
• Promote a safe working culture, ensuring risk assessments and incident investigations are carried out effectively.
• Manage winter maintenance operations, including on-call driver pools.
• Deliver reactive maintenance services such as pothole repairs, kerbing, ironwork replacement, drainage cleansing, and signage work.
• Ensure 24/7 incident response cover for weather events, road traffic incidents, flooding, and emergencies.
• Manage supply chain partners for services such as traffic management and road markings.
• Oversee budgets, operational costs, and service efficiency improvements.
• Recruit, train, and develop staff, ensuring fair and inclusive practices.
• Maintain compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Deputise for senior leadership when required.

About You - Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Proven experience in reactive highway maintenance.
• Strong people management and HR process knowledge.
• Track record of meeting service KPIs and working to budgets.
• Understanding of highways legislation and health & safety compliance.
• Excellent organisational, communication, and project management skills.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable:

• Professional qualifications (e.g. IOSH, NEBOSH, SMSTS, National Highway Sector Scheme).
• Experience in local authority contracts and winter service operations.
• Membership of a professional body.
• Knowledge of the South West highways supply chain.

Why Apply?

This role offers a mix of operational leadership, team development, and service innovation. Alongside a competitive salary and benefits, you'll have the opportunity to make a real impact on essential public services, with clear progression and professional development opportunities.

INDENG