Highways Operations Manager

Staffline Group PLC; West Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK public-sector organisation is searching for a Highways Operations Manager in West Yorkshire to lead diverse teams and oversee high-profile highway services. Candidates should possess significant experience in managing operational teams within highways, civil engineering, or environmental services. The role includes responsibility for operational budgets, compliance with health and safety legislation, and delivery of complex service improvements. This position offers influence on regional infrastructure and environment projects, with a strong community impact.

Qualifications

• Significant senior operational management experience in highways or civil engineering.
• Proven experience with complex operational budgets and large-scale assets.
• Experience leading unionised workforces and managing high-risk operational sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multi‑skilled frontline teams delivering highway operations.
• Oversee compliance with CDM, Health & Safety legislation.
• Develop and manage multi‑million‑pound operational budgets.

Skills

Senior operational management experience in highways

Leadership of large, dispersed frontline teams

Understanding of H&S, CDM, risk compliance

Experience managing complex operational budgets

Strong stakeholder engagement

Full driving licence

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Job description

Highways Operations Manager

Posted on December 11th, 2025

West Yorkshire

£65,000 - £75,000 per annum

Type of Job : Permanent

• 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 ns, 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.

Contact k or 0113 2123519