Highways Group Manager (Full Time) in Wales

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.

Guidance Note: Use of AI and Accuracy of Information:

While the use of tools such as generative AI to support the preparation of applications is permitted, it remains the applicant’s full responsibility to ensure that all information submitted is factually accurate, truthful, and representative of their own skills, experiences and qualifications.

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.