Lead Operational Technology Specialist - Communication Services

National Highways; Colchester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

National Highways is seeking a Lead Operational Technology Specialist for Communication Services. You will lead technical governance, shape strategy and drive market-ready solutions across the Strategic Road Network.

Based in the UK with travel to offices as required, you will mentor teams, engage suppliers and work with stakeholders to improve service performance, security, resilience and value for money.

Qualifications

• Proven OT/telecoms experience in mission-critical environments with emphasis on safety and resilience.
• Experience as technical authority for large-scale communication services and integration with centralised traffic management platforms.
• Ability to translate complex business requirements into practical, scalable technical solutions and communicate with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical authority for Communication Services, providing governance and assurance to ensure safe, secure and resilient solutions.
• Define and develop the technical strategy, architecture, and technology roadmap for communication services across the Strategic Road Network.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to shape technical proposals, influence business cases and identify opportunities to improve service performance and value for money.
• Lead engagement with suppliers and procurement teams to ensure alignment with long-term architecture and standards.
• Build capability across the OT community by mentoring colleagues and translating complex issues for broad audiences.
• Provide technical input to assurance activities, including testing and witnessing products and services.

Skills

Technical leadership

Architecture & roadmap

Stakeholder engagement

Supplier engagement

Mentoring

Testing & assurance

OT networking

NMCS2

UTMC

NTCIP

DATEX II

Tools

NMCS2

CCTV

HATMS

CHARM

MIDAS

UTMC

NTCIP

DATEX II

Job description

Lead Operational Technology Specialist - Communication Services

National Highways have an excellent opportunity for a Lead Operational Technology Specialist: Communication Services to join our Digital Services team.

About the job

The Lead OT Technology Specialist: Communication Services will be the leading technical specialist for the support of Operational Technology communication and network services across the Strategic Road Network. These services provide the critical connectivity that enables Operations to safely monitor and manage traffic, incidents and congestion through our Regional Operations Centres, supporting day-to-day operational decision-making and the effective delivery of smart motorway and roadside technology services.

Please note this position can be based from any of our UK offices however travel to other offices to attend team meetings will be required.

What you'll be leading on

• Act as the technical authority for Communication Services, providing technical leadership, governance and assurance to ensure solutions are safe, secure, resilient and aligned with National Highways standards.
• Define and develop the technical strategy, architecture, specifications and technology roadmap for communication services, driving innovation, enhanced resilience, improved performance and future service capability across the Strategic Road Network.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders across National Highways to shape technical proposals, influence business cases and identify opportunities to improve service performance, security, reliability and value for money.
• Lead engagement with suppliers and procurement teams, ensuring communication services, commercial solutions and system designs align with long-term architecture, open standards and organisational objectives.
• Build capability across the Operational Technology community by mentoring colleagues, sharing technical expertise and translating complex technical issues into clear, accessible information for a wide range of stakeholders.
• Provide technical input and expertise to support assurance activities, including testing and witnessing of products and services, working with the supply chain to ensure appropriate standards, specifications and security requirements are met.

About you

• Proven experience in Operational Technology (OT), telecommunications, network services or other mission‑critical environments, with a strong understanding of safety, resilience, availability and high‑performing operational systems.
• Strong technical knowledge of communication and networking technologies, including WAN, LAN, IP networking, MPLS, fibre and wireless communication services, with experience developing technical specifications, standards, architectures and governance frameworks.
• Experience acting as a technical authority or subject matter expert for large-scale communication services, with an understanding of how operational technology systems and roadside assets integrate with centralised traffic management platforms.
• Knowledge of Operational Technology environments and technologies such as NMCS2, CCTV, HATMS, CHARM, signs, signals and MIDAS. Experience of Intelligent Transport System frameworks such as UTMC, NTCIP or DATEX II would be advantageous.
• Ability to translate complex business requirements into practical technical solutions, influence technical decisions and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience developing technology strategies, roadmaps, standards or business cases, together with supporting procurement activities, supplier evaluations and the delivery of long‑term technology investment plans.

About us

Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England's motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this, are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership.

The Digital Services Directorate is helping to reshape the way National Highways operates by delivering digital, data, and technology services across all areas, from frontline to back office, in a modern and efficient manner.

Our vision is to develop integrated information and technology that empowers our colleagues and provides real-time information to our customers, as well as integrating with intelligent vehicle and transport systems as they evolve, to enhance journey safety and reliability.

External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy.

We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Location: Colchester

Competitive

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