Office Manager (Highway Maintenance)

The Office Manager will lead office operations at our Luton site. The role includes line management of the administration team (Programme Manager, Senior Administrator and Administrator) and ensuring effective day‑to‑day office support. The Office Manager will also co‑ordinate routine and reactive maintenance activities, working closely with Operations Managers and Supervisors to ensure works are correctly programmed and permitted, while maintaining contract KPIs to a high standard.

Key Accountabilities

• Manage the Luton Highway Maintenance administration team, including line management of three Administrators.
• Act as the first point of contact for internal and external enquiries and correspondence.
• Oversee purchase orders, material orders and invoices, ensuring timely GRN processing via 4PS.
• Manage office systems and documentation, including ASite, Causeway and Aurora permitting systems.
• Receive, allocate and programme works orders, liaising closely with Supervisors and Operations teams.
• Ensure all works are permitted, programmed and delivered in line with procedures and client requirements.
• Prepare daily whereabouts, allocate 2‑hour and 24‑hour orders and maintain contract works programmes.
• Liaise with Client Streetworks teams and ensure all client and VH systems are accurately maintained.
• Manage contract reporting, including Performance Reports and SWMP updates.
• Maintain accurate operational data across systems (resources, start/finish dates, job closures).
• Oversee office administration, including stationery, equipment, health & safety roles, cleaning and facilities maintenance.
• Undertake any additional duties to ensure the efficient operation of the office and contract.

About you

• Proven secretarial and administrative experience, supporting Senior Managers and/or Directors.
• Demonstrable experience managing or supervising a small team.
• Excellent communication skills, with a high standard of written and spoken English.
• Strong IT skills, including proficiency across all Microsoft Office applications.
• Confident professional telephone manner.
• Able to work proactively, using initiative to manage priorities effectively.
• Highways sector experience is desirable.
• Experience with Streetworks permitting would be advantageous.

If your past experience doesn’t match perfectly with every requirement of the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for us.

Benefits

• Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday.
• Option to buy additional annual leave.
• Private medical care.
• Pension.
• Life Assurance.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts.
• Training and development opportunities - comprehensive skills‑based training.
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity benefit.
• Flexible working opportunities.
• Employee Assistance programme.
• Mental health, physical health, and financial support.
• 24/7 Virtual GP service.

Fairness, inclusion and respect

We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.