Highways Operations Manager

Job Introduction

Job Title: Highways Operations Manager
Salary: £55,640 - £59,035 (Pay award pending) This role attracts a market forces supplement of an additional £10,600.
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Worcestershire
Team: Highways Operations
Contract: Permanent

The Role

This is a key senior leadership role within Highways Operations, responsible for delivering safe, efficient and high quality services across Worcestershire’s highway network.

You will lead a multidisciplinary workforce, ensuring services are delivered consistently and in line with statutory duties as Highway Authority, including compliance with relevant legislation and national codes of practice.

You will embed an asset management led approach to structural maintenance and network management, using condition data, lifecycle planning and risk based methodologies to prioritise investment and maximise whole life value.

You will lead the delivery of large scale maintenance programmes, including resurfacing, reconstruction and surface treatments such as surface dressing and micro asphalt, ensuring the right treatment is applied at the right time to improve network condition.

You will manage annual and multi year capital programmes, aligning delivery with Department for Transport Incentive Fund requirements and ensuring compliance with PAS 2161 and asset management best practice.

You will drive the use of data and emerging technologies to improve decision making, efficiency and service performance, while embedding strong network management principles to minimise disruption.

You will lead responses to operational demands, including severe weather and emergencies, and manage budgets, resources and contractor performance to deliver value for money.

As part of the senior management team, you will contribute to strategic planning and service improvement, building effective relationships with Members, stakeholders and partners.

About You

You will have substantial experience of managing highways or infrastructure operations within a complex, publicly accountable organisation.

You will bring strong technical expertise in structural maintenance, resurfacing and surface treatments, alongside a sound understanding of asset management, lifecycle planning and risk based decision making.

You will have experience of delivering large programmes of work, with knowledge of Department for Transport Incentive Fund requirements, PAS 2161 and performance frameworks.

You will be confident using data and technology to improve services, and experienced in managing budgets, contractors and performance.

You will be a strong leader with the ability to influence stakeholders and operate effectively in a high pressure environment.

Benefits:

You’ll find an overview of the benefits Worcestershire County Council have to offer on our webpage

• Worcestershire County Council - Why work for us?

Some of these offers include:

• Great Holiday Entitlement: As well as bank holidays, you'll get 26 days paid holiday (pro rata for part-time staff). This goes up to 31 days when you have been with us for 5 years. If you get more than 26 days where you work now, don't worry because if you join us without a break, we'll match your holiday up to 31 days. If you’re successful and want to take advantage of this do let us know!
• Brilliant Pension Scheme: The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is a nationwide, career average pension scheme and is a valuable part of the pay and reward package for employees working in local government.
• Professional Learning & Development: We actively encourage learning and development for all our staff should they want to progress further or explore other areas within the organisation.
• Flexible Working: We are proud to offer hybrid working to provide a better work/life balance where possible.

Equality & Diversity: The County Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all citizens and celebrates the diversity of all its residents.

Further Information

For an informal discussion, please contact:
Elliot Pritchard – epritchard@worcestershire.gov.uk

Closing Date: 31st July 2026
Interview Date: August - TBC