Operations Director

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited

Highways Operations Director – 12 month FTC or Freelance options available£TBD DOE + Car Allowance + Annual Bonus + Healthcare + Pension + Many more

Your new role

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Highways Operations Director to lead our highways maintenance, asset management, and operational delivery functions. This is a strategic leadership role with significant influence across our organisation, responsible for ensuring that our highway networks are safe, resilient, and high-performing.You will oversee the planning and delivery of maintenance and improvement programmes, manage complex stakeholder relationships, and drive innovation across our operations. With responsibility for substantial budgets, multidisciplinary teams, and mission-critical infrastructure, this role is ideal for a dynamic leader who excels in operational excellence and long-term network strategy.

Provide strategic leadership for highways operations, including maintenance, network management, emergency response, and asset lifecycle planning.

• Oversee delivery of operational programmes, ensuring safety, compliance, value for money, and high customer satisfaction.
• Lead and develop operational teams, fostering a culture of performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Manage major contracts and supplier relationships, ensuring quality and commercial performance.
• Champion innovation in areas such as smart highways, sustainability, digital asset management, and service automation.
• Collaborate with local authorities, statutory bodies, contractors, and community stakeholders to maintain strong working partnerships.
• Oversee budget planning, financial forecasting, and risk management for the highways operations portfolio.
• Ensure the network remains resilient through effective winter service, incident response, and emergency planning.

What you’ll need to succeed

You will be an accomplished operational leader with significant experience in highways, civil engineering, or infrastructure management. You can confidently balance strategic vision with operational delivery and are passionate about creating safer, better-connected transport networks.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Proven leadership at a senior level within highways, infrastructure, transport, or related sectors.
• Strong understanding of asset management principles, highways legislation, and operational best practice.
• Experience managing large, complex budgets and high-value service contracts.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills.
• A track record of driving innovation, efficiency, and service improvement.
• Experience leading digital transformation or sustainability initiatives in highways operations.

What you’ll get in return

• You’ll be offered a competitive salary depending on experience, plus a comprehensive benefits package. You’ll receive support from both Directors and Managers and be given the opportunity to develop and take on more responsibility in the future. You’ll enjoy working as part of a growing and friendly team with a unique vision to grow and develop long term client needs.
• Opportunity to shape the future of a critical highways network.
• Work with a committed leadership team in a forward-thinking, ambitious organisation.
• Competitive salary, generous pension, and a comprehensive benefits package inc 25 days holiday + stats or daily freelance rate.
• 12 months duration minimum
• Real scope for innovation, strategic influence, and making a tangible public impact.

What you need to do nowIf you’re interested in this role, click ‘apply now’ to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.If this job isn’t quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

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