Highways Operations Manager
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 3, 2026. First seen by Alion on Nov 2, 2026.
Contract to start ASAP until 30-11-27 with a possible extension.
Full job description
Highways Operations Manager - Derby City Council
Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Contract: Temporary contract from 9 November 2026 to 30 November 2027
Lead the Safe and Effective Delivery of Highway Operations Across Derby
We're recruiting 2 experienced Highways Operations Managers to join Derby City Council, based at the Stores Road Depot, DE21 4BD.
This is a senior operational role responsible for overseeing the effective delivery of highways maintenance, works programmes and associated operational services across the city.
You'll provide leadership to operational teams, coordinate resources and contractors, monitor performance and ensure works are completed safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards.
About the Role
As a Highways Operations Manager, you'll take responsibility for the day-to-day management and coordination of highway operational activities.
You'll work closely with supervisors, engineers, operatives, contractors and other Council teams to ensure maintenance and improvement works are planned effectively, delivered within agreed timescales and compliant with relevant health and safety and highways requirements.
What you'll be doing:
- Leading and coordinating highways operational teams across maintenance and improvement activities
- Managing the delivery of planned and reactive highway works
- Monitoring operational performance, productivity and quality
- Coordinating labour, vehicles, plant, equipment and other resources
- Managing supervisors, operatives and contractors to ensure effective service delivery
- Ensuring highway works are completed safely and in accordance with required standards
- Monitoring work programmes and ensuring deadlines are achieved
- Carrying out site visits and inspections to assess progress, quality and safety
- Managing operational risks and resolving delivery issues
- Ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation and safe systems of work
- Supporting the planning and prioritisation of highway maintenance activities
- Reviewing resource requirements and allocating teams effectively
- Monitoring contractor performance and addressing quality or delivery concerns
- Supporting emergency and reactive highways responses where required
- Maintaining accurate operational, performance and compliance records
- Working with engineers, project managers and other technical colleagues
- Managing customer or stakeholder issues relating to highway works
- Contributing to service improvement, efficiency and value-for-money initiatives
- Supporting budget monitoring and effective use of operational resources
- Providing reports and updates to senior management on delivery, risks and performance
Requirements
We're looking for experienced highways or civil engineering operations professionals with strong leadership and service-delivery skills.
You'll ideally have:
- Significant experience within highways maintenance, civil engineering or infrastructure operations
- Previous experience managing operational teams, supervisors and contractors
- Strong understanding of highways maintenance and construction activities
- Experience managing planned and reactive works programmes
- Good knowledge of construction and highway health and safety requirements
- Experience coordinating labour, plant, vehicles and other operational resources
- Strong leadership and people-management skills
- Experience monitoring contractor and operational performance
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced operational environment
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Experience carrying out site inspections and quality monitoring
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Strong stakeholder and customer-management skills
- Experience within a local authority highways service would be highly desirable
- Relevant highways, civil engineering, construction or management qualification would be advantageous
- Eligibility to work in the UK
- Ability to provide relevant references/work history
- Ability to complete required pre-employment checks
Why Apply
- Two Highways Operations Manager positions available
- Opportunity to work with Derby City Council
- Competitive Umbrella rate of £33.59 per hour
- Long-term temporary assignment through to November 2027
- Senior operational responsibility within an established highways service
- Opportunity to lead operational teams and contractors
- Varied role covering highways maintenance, service delivery and operational management
- Full-time 37-hour working week
Benefits
- Weekly Pay
- Company Pension
- Ongoing Agency Support
Additional Information
Client: Derby City Council
Job Title: Highways Operations Manager
Location: Stores Road Depot, DE21 4BD
Positions Available: 2
Hours: 37 hours per week
Start Date: 9 November 2026
Start Time: 08:30
End Date: 30 November 2027
Contract Type: Temporary
Pay Rate: Umbrella: £33.59 per hour
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary contract
Pay: £33.59 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
Application question(s):
- Do you have significant experience working within highways maintenance, civil engineering or infrastructure operations?
- Do you have experience managing highways operatives, supervisors and contractors?
- Have you managed planned and reactive highways maintenance programmes?
- Are you experienced in managing health and safety, operational resources and contractor performance?
- Do you have previous local authority highways experience?
- Are you able to reliably travel to Stores Road Depot, Derby, DE21 4BD?
- Are you available to start from 9 November 2026?
Experience:
- Highways / Civil Engineering Operations: 3 years (required)
- Operational Team Management: 2 years (required)
- Contractor Management: 2 years (preferred)
- Local Authority Highways: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Relevant Highways / Civil Engineering / Construction Qualification (preferred)
- Relevant Health & Safety / Site Management Qualification (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Disclaimer: On applying for this vacancy, you agree that your personal details will be passed onto our client for their consideration of your suitability for the role. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to notify iWork Recruitment Limited of any hirer who I do not want my details to be passed onto.
5309286-11-26