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 - Senior Operations Manager, Highways - Local Authority
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- Senior Operations Manager, Highways
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? Senior Operations Manager, Highways
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)
Public Sector / Local Authorities
Highway Operations, Road Maintenance, Winter Services, PROW, Fleet Management, Environmental Services, Highway Inspector, Highway Asset Management
Industry: Government Administration, Civil Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure, Transport / Logistics
Highway Operations, Environmental Services, Transport, Public Works
Job Functions:
Operations / Maintenance
Engineering / Technical Services
Fleet / Transport Management
Civil / Highway Engineering
You are likely to be a Highway Operations Manager, Highways Maintenance Manager Senior Highway Engineer, Winter Services Manager, Highways Asset Manager, Senior Civil Engineer - Roads.
Principal Consultant - Highways, Construction Manager - Highway Schemes
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