Highways Group Manager

Grade 12 – £57,386 – £59,639 + Generous relocation package up to GBP £8,000 - which could include for example rent in lieu of a planned house purchase, removal and storage fees and legal/mortgage arrangement fees for house purchase.

Pembrokeshire County Council is seeking an exceptional Highways Group Manager to lead one of the Authority's most critical frontline services. This is a unique opportunity for a highly motivated, experienced and dynamic professional to shape the strategic management of the county's highway network, street lighting infrastructure and highway structures while leading a large, skilled workforce delivering essential services to our communities.

This is a senior leadership role requiring a visible, innovative and collaborative leader with the drive to deliver service excellence, transformational improvement and long-term asset sustainability. You will have the opportunity to influence strategic decision-making, lead significant capital and revenue programmes, and make a lasting impact on Pembrokeshire's infrastructure network.

Reporting to the Head of Infrastructure & Environment, you will provide strategic leadership and full management accountability for:

• The County's highway network, highway assets and network management functions.
• Street lighting infrastructure and highway structures.
• Highway asset management planning and long-term investment strategies.
• The delivery of major revenue and capital works programmes.
• Winter maintenance and network resilience services.
• Contract management for highway surfacing, structures and specialist infrastructure works.
• Budget management, performance improvement and regulatory compliance.
• Leadership of a diverse workforce of approximately 130 employees.

You will work closely with elected Members, senior officers, contractors, partner organisations and local communities, providing expert professional advice and leading service delivery across a complex and high‑profile operational environment.

We are looking for an inspirational and forward‑thinking leader who combines strong technical expertise with outstanding leadership and strategic management skills.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Extensive senior management experience within highways, highways engineering, network management and infrastructure services.
• A proven track record of leading large, complex operational teams and delivering service improvement and transformational change.
• Significant experience managing substantial budgets, contracts, resources and work programmes.
• Strong commercial awareness and contract management expertise.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to operate confidently in a political environment and provide high‑quality advice to senior leaders and elected Members.
• A commitment to innovation, continuous improvement and delivering excellent outcomes for residents and service users.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate:

• Extensive and demonstrable experience working at a senior level within the highways profession, particularly engineering services.
• Proven professional experience in highways, network management and highway structures.
• Experience delivering strategic and transformational change programmes.
• Significant leadership experience managing large and diverse teams.
• Experience managing substantial budgets, resources and contracts.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation and partnership‑working skills.
• Sound knowledge of relevant legislation, regulation and health and safety requirements.
• A valid driving licence.

• Chartered…