At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Pembrokeshire's highway network and manage essential infrastructure services.
- Company: Pembrokeshire County Council, committed to community and infrastructure improvement.
- Benefits: Generous salary, relocation package, and a beautiful working environment.
- Other info: Join a dedicated team focused on innovation and community service.
- Why this job: Shape the future of Pembrokeshire's highways and make a lasting impact.
- Qualifications: Extensive senior management experience in highways and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Pembrokeshire County Council is seeking an exceptional Highways Group Manager to lead one of the Authority's most critical frontline services. This is a unique opportunity for a highly motivated, experienced and dynamic professional to shape the strategic management of the county's highway network, street lighting infrastructure and highway structures while leading a large, skilled workforce delivering essential services to our communities.
This is a senior leadership role requiring a visible, innovative and collaborative leader with the drive to deliver service excellence, transformational improvement and long-term asset sustainability. You will have the opportunity to influence strategic decision-making, lead significant capital and revenue programmes, and make a lasting impact on Pembrokeshire's infrastructure network.
About the Role
Reporting to the Head of Infrastructure & Environment, you will provide strategic leadership and full management accountability for:
- The County's highway network, highway assets and network management functions.
- Street lighting infrastructure and highway structures.
- Highway asset management planning and long-term investment strategies.
- The delivery of major revenue and capital works programmes.
- Winter maintenance and network resilience services.
- Contract management for highway surfacing, structures and specialist infrastructure works.
- Budget management, performance improvement and regulatory compliance.
- Leadership of a diverse workforce of approximately 130 employees.
You will work closely with elected Members, senior officers, contractors, partner organisations and local communities, providing expert professional advice and leading service delivery across a complex and high‑profile operational environment.
Who We Are Looking For
We are looking for an inspirational and forward‑thinking leader who combines strong technical expertise with outstanding leadership and strategic management skills.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Extensive senior management experience within highways, highways engineering, network management and infrastructure services.
- A proven track record of leading large, complex operational teams and delivering service improvement and transformational change.
- Significant experience managing substantial budgets, contracts, resources and work programmes.
- Strong commercial awareness and contract management expertise.
- Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
- The ability to operate confidently in a political environment and provide high‑quality advice to senior leaders and elected Members.
- A commitment to innovation, continuous improvement and delivering excellent outcomes for residents and service users.
Essential Requirements
Applicants should be able to demonstrate:
- Extensive and demonstrable experience working at a senior level within the highways profession, particularly engineering services.
- Proven professional experience in highways, network management and highway structures.
- Experience delivering strategic and transformational change programmes.
- Significant leadership experience managing large and diverse teams.
- Experience managing substantial budgets, resources and contracts.
- Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation and partnership‑working skills.
- Sound knowledge of relevant legislation, regulation and health and safety requirements.
- A valid driving licence.
Desirable
- Chartered Professional Status, or evidence of operating at Chartered Engineer level and progressing towards formal chartership.
- Welsh language skills.
Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to take a leading role in shaping and maintaining one of Pembrokeshire's most important public assets. You will join a committed leadership team and play a pivotal role in delivering infrastructure improvements, supporting economic growth and ensuring a safe, resilient and sustainable highway network for future generations.
If you are an ambitious, innovative and highly motivated highways professional looking for your next leadership challenge, we would be delighted to hear from you. Be part of the team that keeps Pembrokeshire moving.
Employee Benefits
Our employee benefits are designed to help invest in your future and are in addition to living and working in Pembrokeshire, one of the most beautiful and desirable counties in the UK.
Please refer to the job description above for more details on this vacancy and the person specification.
Employment Checks
This post is subject to a DBS disclosure check. Applicants should ensure they have the right to work in the UK before applying for a vacancy.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk is a high priority for Pembrokeshire County Council. We aim to support vulnerable children and adults at risk to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be.
Highways Group Manager in Wales employer: Highways Magazine
Kirklees Council is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a real impact on the community through your expertise in planning and highways law. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have opportunities to enhance your leadership skills while working collaboratively with dedicated professionals in a supportive culture that values sustainable decision-making and public service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Highways Group Manager in Wales
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We think you need these skills to ace Highways Group Manager in Wales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at Highways Magazine, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!
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How to prepare for a job interview at Highways Magazine
✨Know Your Logistics Basics
Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.
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