Business Manager in Portsmouth

Colas Ltd are a UK subsidiary of the global Colas Group, which operates in over 50 countries worldwide and employs over 55,000 people including over 1500 in the UK across multiple sites. We are specialists in highways construction and have been involved in large-scale UK and international construction projects within the highways, airfields, and marine sectors as well as offering highways maintenance services and manufacturing our own innovative surfacing products. We hold a 'Gold Investor in People' award for continuously developing and rewarding our employees, offering excellent career potential.

Purpose of the role

We are seeking an experienced Business Manager to take full accountability for the delivery of the £25m per annum Portsmouth PFI Highway Term Maintenance Contract, the role will be based at our Portsmouth depot, PO6 1TA. This is a senior leadership role responsible for the safe, efficient, and commercially successful operation of the contract, leading a multi-disciplinary management team delivering day-to-day highways maintenance across the network. You will work closely with Portsmouth City Council, the SPV (Ensign), supply chain partners, and key stakeholders to ensure contractual requirements are met, performance targets are achieved, and customer expectations are exceeded. The role covers the full scope of contract delivery, including asset management, reactive and planned maintenance, scheme delivery, incident and severe weather response, and full responsibility for the PFI handback programme.

As a visible leader and safety ambassador, you will set the standard for health, safety, quality, and customer service, while maintaining strong control of financial performance, budgets, and commercial governance. You will develop and lead a high-performing Senior Management Team, drive continuous improvement, and play a key role within the Local Roads AM&S senior leadership team, contributing to best practice and strategic delivery across the business.

Main Responsibilities

The Business Manager will ensure the availability and effective deployment of contract-dedicated and corporate resources throughout the contract term in order to meet or exceed contractual requirements. You will establish and lead a strong, empowered Senior Management Team capable of delivering the contract’s ambitions, including all commitments set out in the handback programme proposal. A core element of the role is the ability to facilitate strong collaboration with the Client, SPV, supply chain partners, and local stakeholders, supporting customer satisfaction and effective reputation management. You will promote best practice, innovation, and process improvement through the use of performance metrics, Lean leadership, CoLab working, and external expertise where appropriate. The role also includes responsibility for driving social value delivery aligned to the Employment and Skills Plan, supporting succession planning, and ensuring compliance with EDI policies and legislation.

You will demonstrate visible and inclusive leadership through regular site engagement and round-table events, ensuring the views of the workforce are heard and valued. The role also requires a strong focus on sustainability, encouraging initiatives that reduce environmental impact and support the achievement of contract net zero targets. Effective governance of commercial processes, budget development, forecasting, risk management, and performance monitoring will be central to ensuring high standards of right-first-time delivery and overall contract success.

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be an experienced Highways professional with a proven track record of leading complex local roads or PFI-style contracts. Educated to degree level (or equivalent) and a member of a relevant professional body, you will bring strong commercial and financial acumen, solid project management experience, and a clear commitment to health and safety leadership. Experience of Lean principles and continuous improvement is desirable.

You will be a confident, visible leader with excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships with clients, supply chain partners, and stakeholders at all levels. Highly organised and results-focused, you will be comfortable balancing strategic oversight with hands-on contract delivery, producing accurate management information, managing risk, and developing high-performing teams.

Package Description

Here at Colas, we offer a great total compensation package, including:

• A market-competitive salary and benefits package (dependent on experience)
• Company Car / Car Allowance is included in the package
• Our Colas Pension Scheme has combined contributions of up to 16%
• Life Assurance Scheme which is x4 basic salary
• 28 days annual leave per year + Public Holidays
• Holiday Purchase & Selling Scheme
• Hybrid Working Scheme (dependent on the role)
• Opportunities to study towards a fully funded Professional Qualification
• Ongoing personal / professional development
• Discounts on car leasing, holidays, cinema tickets, restaurants and much more through our online employee benefits portal

At Colas, our culture is guided by four core values: Respect, Commitment, Pioneering, and Sharing. These values shape how we work, collaborate, and grow together. We believe that respect is the foundation of every relationship. By treating others as we wish to be treated, we foster fairness, transparency, and inclusion within our teams and with our clients, communities, and partners. Commitment means dedicating ourselves fully to everything we do. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to make a meaningful impact. With a pioneering spirit, we prioritise bold innovation over blind ambition. We welcome new ideas, invest in our people, and work to deliver sustainable infrastructure solutions that shape the future. Through sharing, we build trust and solidarity, encouraging collaboration and growth at all levels of the business.

Colas Ltd is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that mirrors the communities we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you want a workplace where your voice is valued and your potential is developed, Colas is the right choice.