Highways Operations Manager

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

Job summary

A leading UK public-sector organisation is seeking an experienced Senior Operations Manager to lead highways services across a district, overseeing complex portfolios and diverse teams. The role requires significant operational management experience, budget oversight, and stakeholder engagement. Candidates should have a degree in Civil Engineering or relevant experience and be proficient in leading large, unionized teams. This position offers autonomy in shaping service direction and influence across vital infrastructure projects.

Qualifications

• Significant senior operational management experience in relevant sectors.
• Strong leadership capabilities for managing unionized workforces.
• In-depth understanding of compliance and risk management in high-risk environments.
• Proven experience with complex budgets and large-scale assets.
• Strong stakeholder engagement abilities in a politically aware setting.
• Driving licence required.
• IOSH Managing Safely & CPL Transport Manager if required.

Responsibilities

• Lead diverse multi-skilled frontline teams for highway and drainage operations.
• Manage planned, reactive, and emergency works safely and efficiently.
• Oversee fleet compliance and high-risk operational environments.
• Deliver capital and revenue through internal teams and contractors.
• Maintain compliance with health and safety legislation and safe systems.

Skills

Operational management

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership of frontline teams

Budget management

Compliance management

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent experience

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 & CPL 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.

Contact (url removed) or (phone number removed)