Principal Operations Manager

15-Month Fixed-Term Maternity Cover

The Principal Operations Manager (POM) - Area 12 (Maternity Cover) is a temporary senior leadership role within the Area 12 Senior Management Team, accountable for maintaining safe, compliant and stable day-to-day operational delivery across the Area 12 Strategic Highways Maintenance & Response contract during a defined period of maternity leave.

The role is intended as a step-in continuity position, providing experienced leadership and operational grip to ensure performance, safety and client confidence are maintained, rather than driving structural or strategic change.

Area 12 is a geographically dispersed, high-profile Strategic Roads Network contract operating 24/7 across multiple depots, delivering routine and cyclic maintenance, defect response and incident management for National Highways across Yorkshire & North Humberside.

This maternity cover role provides operational continuity, ensuring existing ways of working, leadership structures and performance controls remain effective throughout the cover period.

What You'll Do:

Key Accountabilities

Operational Continuity & Control
Provide clear senior operational leadership across routine maintenance, reactive defects, cyclic works and incident response.
Maintain operational grip across depots, frontline teams and control functions to ensure consistent service delivery.
Act as a senior escalation point for operational issues, incidents and unplanned events, ensuring calm, proportionate and timely decision-making. Health, Safety & Compliance
Maintain a strong Safety First culture, ensuring existing safety systems, controls and behaviours are consistently applied.
Ensure operational teams continue to comply with National Highways requirements, Amey procedures and statutory obligations.
Support incident reviews, audits and assurance activity, embedding learning without introducing unnecessary change. Client & Performance Stability
Maintain effective day-to-day operational relationships with National Highways Area 12 representatives, providing confidence in continuity of leadership and delivery.
Monitor and manage performance against contractual KPIs and operational measures, escalating risks early and proportionately.
Support existing governance, reporting and review forums (CVRs, audits, operational reviews). People Leadership
Provide clear leadership, support and direction to Operations Managers, Supervisors and operational leadership teams.
Maintain existing performance management arrangements and engagement rhythms.
Support team stability, wellbeing and resilience during the maternity cover period. Commercial & Delivery Awareness
Support commercial outcomes through consistent application of agreed delivery plans, self-delivery strategies and productivity expectations.
Work collaboratively with Commercial, Planning and Construction leads to maintain alignment between operations, cost and programme.
Avoid unnecessary changes to commercial or operational models unless required for risk management. Senior Management Team Role
Member of the Area 12 Senior Management Team, reporting directly to the Account Director.
Works collaboratively with Principal Construction, Commercial, Planning, Performance & Assurance, Safety, Digital and Finance leads.
Supports collective SMT leadership and decision-making during the maternity cover period. Why Join Us?

At Amey, we don't just offer jobs, we offer opportunities to build fulfilling careers. As one of the top 1% of employers recognised by Investors in People, we are committed to your professional growth and wellbeing. Here's what you can expect when you join our team:
Competitive Salary: Enjoy a competitive annual salary with the potential for yearly reviews to ensure you're rewarded for your contributions.
Career Growth: Propel your career with clear, dynamic advancement opportunities to roles
Training Opportunities: Unlock your potential with comprehensive training tailored to your growth.
Personal Development Opportunities: Advance your personal growth through mentorship and access to our award-winning programs like our Leadership Development, (email address removed), and Multicultural Leadership programs.
Pension: Benefit from a generous pension scheme with company contributions for your future peace of mind.
Holidays: Enjoy at least 24 days of holiday plus bank holidays, and the opportunity to buy further 5 days! Giving you plenty of time to relax and recharge.
Flexible Benefits: Customise your benefits package with options like additional leave, cycle-to-work schemes, charitable giving, and gym memberships.
Exclusive Discounts: Access our online portal filled with discounts from leading retailers, healthcare services, and more, helping you save on the things that matter.
Social Impact: Take part in our community initiatives with 2x paid volunteering days a year, plus other opportunities to support fundraising and local projects. What You'll Bring:

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential
Proven senior operational leadership experience within highway maintenance or similar infrastructure environments.
Strong understanding of National Highways operational requirements and live-network delivery.
Experience leading large, multi-disciplinary operational teams across multiple sites.
Confident decision-maker in live operational and incident environments.
Pragmatic, steady leadership style focused on continuity, stability and risk management. Qualifications (Desirable)
Relevant operational, construction or engineering qualification.
IOSH, NEBOSH or equivalent health & safety qualification If you're ready to make a meaningful impact on our business and contribute to a shared, sustainable future, we invite you to join us in advancing our strategy and driving positive change.

Application Guidance

At Amey, we value a culture of diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact, no matter their background, gender, race, or personal circumstances. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to shine.

As a Disability Confident leader, we're proud to offer applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role.

If you have any questions or need any adjustments during the recruitment process, don't hesitate to reach out to our recruitment team for this role, at (url removed)

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