Head of Highway Operations

Head of Highway Operations - Interim Contract 
Rate: £75.60 per hour | 4 days per week | 8 hours per day | Contract via Morson | Expenses for site visits & travel outside the office

Morson is recruiting for an experienced Head of Highway Operations to provide strategic leadership and direction for a major public sector highways service. This is an exciting interim opportunity to shape service delivery, drive innovation, and ensure value for money across a broad range of construction, maintenance, and operational activities on the highway network.

About the Role

You will provide vision, strategic direction, and visible leadership for a large highways operations service (c.200 staff), ensuring delivery against agreed service plan outcomes. The role combines responsibility for internal teams and the management of external supply chain partners, fostering a culture of safety, excellence, and continuous improvement.

This is a highly influential position, deputising for senior leadership where required, and collaborating with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders including elected members, partner agencies, contractors, and local communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all highway construction, maintenance, and related operations.

• Champion a right first time ethos, driving high standards in service delivery.

• Manage health, safety, quality, and environmental performance to industry-leading standards.

• Develop a sustainable delivery model that balances internal capability with external frameworks.

• Implement a robust resourcing strategy, including succession planning and talent development.

• Oversee commercial, cost control, and contractual compliance functions.

• Ensure effective risk management and process audits.

• Lead adverse weather and emergency response operations.

• Maintain positive industrial relations with unions and foster a collaborative working culture.

About You

We''re looking for a highly experienced highways leader with:

• Proven senior-level experience in highways or large-scale infrastructure operations.
• Strong track record in health, safety, quality, and environmental management.
• Commercial acumen and experience managing multi-million-pound budgets.
• Strategic leadership skills with the ability to inspire and develop teams.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and partnership skills.

Contract Details

• Rate: £75.60 per hour (Umbrella)

• Hours: 4 days per week, 8 hours per day

• Contract: Interim via Morson

Expenses: Paid for site visits and travel to non-office locations

If you''re ready to take on a high-impact leadership role shaping the future of a major highways operation, apply today with your CV.