Operations Manager – Highways Maintenance (Specialist Treatments)
Nuphalt Contracting Ltd are an established and highly reputable Highways Maintenance Contractor, seeking an Operations Manager to lead operational and commercial performance across its specialist maintenance division.
This is a national role, with our head office in the Midlands, overseeing delivery across all regions with the support of a team of Regional/Contracts Managers. It's an excellent opportunity to join the business at a pivotal time of expansion — following substantial investment and increasing market opportunities, the organisation is scaling rapidly and needs an operational leader who can also take ownership of contract performance and commercial discipline across the portfolio.
The successful candidate will provide leadership across teams, while also taking direct ownership of contract administration, compliance and performance — ensuring consistent delivery, robust reporting, and strong client relationships nationally. The role demands strong commercial insight, sound knowledge of NEC/JCT-style contracting, and the credibility to lead and support Regional Managers in the field.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide national operational leadership, working closely with Regional/Contracts Managers and their teams.
- Oversee delivery quality, resource planning and programme performance nationally, supporting Regional Managers with escalation, decision-making and technical input
- Take ownership of contract performance across the portfolio — from award through delivery and close-out — ensuring compliance with contractual requirements and company procedures
- Oversee contract documentation and reporting, including notices, instructions, records, variations and progress updates, ensuring change is managed in a controlled way
- Support Regional Managers with programme, procurement and subcontract management to improve performance and reduce risk
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, designers, supply chain partners and senior internal stakeholders; lead key contract and client meetings and ensure actions are closed out
- Ensure full compliance with health, safety, quality and regulatory requirements across all regions, with records and audits maintained to a consistent national standard
- Promote continuous improvement, innovation and best practice across the organisation
About You
- Essential: a background within the Highways Industry, in an operational, contracts delivery role
- Preferred: experience of Preventative Treatments (e.g. surface dressing, micro-asphalt, patching/spray injection patching or similar highways maintenance techniques)
- Experience in a leadership role, ideally with exposure to managing or supporting Regional/Contracts Managers across multiple sites or regions
- Strong working knowledge of NEC (preferred) and/or JCT forms of contract, including change management and payment mechanisms.
- Strong commercial acumen and sound decision-making capability, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams and report clearly on progress, risk and performance
- Strategic thinker with excellent planning skills and a growth-focused mindset
- Exceptional leadership and people-management skills.
- Confident communicator, able to influence stakeholders and resolve contractual issues pragmatically
- A deep understanding of Highways & H&S legislation, with a strong focus on compliance and governance
- HNC/HND (or Degree) in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or equivalent experience
- SMSTS/IOSH/NEBOSH qualification (or working towards)
Salary and benefits: to be confirmed based on experience.
Work Location: In person
