Operations Head jobs in United Kingdom

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.