At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage frontline highway services, ensuring safety and efficiency.
- Company: A leading UK public-sector organisation with a focus on community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £60k-£75k, exceptional package, and pension.
- Other info: Opportunity for senior leadership presence with political and community visibility.
- Why this job: Shape essential public services and influence community regeneration projects.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in operational management and a degree in Civil Engineering.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
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.
Salary: £60k-£75k Target, Exceptional Package and Pension
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:- 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 and, if required, CPC Transport Manager.
- Experience in Highways in Utilities (Water/Gas/Power/Fibre) and Civil Engineering / Highways Contractors is encouraged.
Why This Role?
- 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 mike.butler@omegaresource.co.uk or 0113 2123519
Senior Operations Manager – Highways Local Authority in Bradford employer: Omega
Contact Detail:
Omega Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Operations Manager – Highways Local Authority in Bradford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the highways and operations sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its projects. Understand their challenges and think about how your experience can help them tackle these issues. We want you to shine, so practice answering common interview questions and have some insightful questions ready to ask them too!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When discussing your past experiences, highlight specific examples where you led teams or managed complex projects. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact—numbers speak volumes, especially when it comes to managing multi-million-pound budgets!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who can make a difference in our community. So, get that application in and let’s make great things happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Operations Manager – Highways Local Authority in Bradford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Senior Operations Manager role. Highlight your leadership in highways and operational management to grab our attention!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit for leading our frontline highway services.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your achievements! Quantify your successes in managing budgets, leading teams, or improving services to demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Omega
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of highways operations, civil engineering, and environmental services. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges and regulations in the sector, especially around health and safety compliance. This will show that you're not just a leader but also someone who understands the nitty-gritty of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led large teams in the past. Think about times when you managed diverse groups or dealt with unionised workforces. Be ready to discuss your approach to motivating staff and driving service improvements, as this is crucial for the Senior Operations Manager role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves significant stakeholder engagement, come prepared with examples of how you've built relationships with various parties, including elected members and contractors. Highlight your experience in politically sensitive environments and how you navigated those situations effectively.
✨Budget Management Know-How
Be ready to discuss your experience managing complex operational budgets and assets. Prepare to explain how you've handled multi-million-pound projects in the past, focusing on your strategic approach to capital and revenue delivery. This will demonstrate your capability to manage the financial aspects of the role.