Highways Operations Manager

Omega Resource Group; Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK public-sector organisation is seeking a Senior Operations Manager for highways to oversee frontline services in West Yorkshire. You will lead significant operational teams and manage multi-million-pound budgets while ensuring compliance and safety. Candidates should have extensive experience in operational management, civil engineering, and significant leadership in large-scale projects. This role offers the autonomy to shape service direction, with a substantial impact on the community. A degree in Civil Engineering is preferred.

Qualifications

• Significant senior operational management experience in highways or civil engineering.
• Proven experience managing complex operational budgets and assets.
• Full driving licence required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage diverse multi-skilled frontline teams.
• Oversee planned, reactive and emergency highway operations.
• Manage a multi-functional operational depot and fleet compliance.

Skills

Senior operational management

Leadership of large teams

Stakeholder engagement

Risk and compliance management

Budget management

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

IOSH Managing Safely certification

Job description

Senior Operations Manager – Highways, Local Authority

Location: West Yorkshire (District-Based, Multi‑Site)

Salary: £60k - £75k Target, Exceptional Package and Pension

Contract: Permanent | Full‑Time

Sector: Highways, Local Authority, Environmental Services, Public Realm, Civil Engineering, Utilities, and Infrastructure Operations

A leading UK public‑sector organisation is seeking an experienced Highways Senior Operations Manager to lead large, high‑profile frontline highway services across a major district. This is a senior operational leadership role with visibility at corporate, community and political levels – ideal for a proven leader in highways, civils, construction operations, environmental services, or large‑scale public realm delivery.

The role oversees a complex portfolio including:

• Highway maintenance, Public Rights of Way, Land drainage, Gully maintenance, Winter services, weather response, Operational depots, Fleet & plant with multi‑million‑pound assets and budgets

You’ll lead c100+ skilled and semi‑skilled frontline staff, manage a multi‑functional operational depot, and take responsibility for statutory services that keep the district’s network safe, open, and resilient.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage diverse multi‑skilled frontline teams delivering district‑wide highway, drainage and winter maintenance operations.
• Oversee planned, reactive and emergency works, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
• Act as Transport Manager under the organisation’s Operator’s Licence, managing fleet compliance and high‑risk operational environments.
• Manage capital and revenue delivery through internal teams and contractors.
• Ensure full compliance with CDM, Health & Safety legislation and safe systems of work.
• Maintain high‑profile public‑facing services, respond to weather events and highway emergencies.
• Develop and manage multi‑million‑pound operational budgets, assets and equipment.
• Build strong working relationships with stakeholders, elected members, trade unions and contractors.
• Drive service improvement, innovation and workforce development.

Key Requirements

• Significant senior operational management experience in highways, civil engineering, environmental services, construction, utilities or large‑scale public realm operations.
• Strong leadership of large, dispersed frontline teams and unionised workforces.
• In‑depth understanding of H&S, CDM, risk, compliance and management of high‑risk operational sites.
• Proven experience managing complex operational budgets, plant, vehicles and large‑scale assets.
• Experience coordinating contractors and delivering large capital / revenue programmes.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and the ability to lead in a politically aware environment.
• Full driving licence.
• Degree in Civil Engineering (or extensive equivalent experience).
• IOSH Managing Safely & to obtain CPC Transport Manager if required.
• Experience in Highways in Utilities (Water / Gas / Power / Fibre) and Civil Engineering / Highways Contractors encouraged.

Why This Role

• Lead one of the region's most high‑profile, essential and visible public services.
• Autonomy to shape service direction, improvement and operational strategy.
• Significant influence across regeneration, infrastructure and environmental projects.
• Manage a major operational team with meaningful community impact.
• Senior leadership presence with political, community and multi‑agency visibility.

All enquiries and applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.