Freelance Highway Maintenance Supervisor

Location: Drayton Depot, Milton Rd, OX14 4EZ (Oxfordshire) Rate: £26-£30 per hour Hours: 50 hours per week Contract: Minimum 6-month contract Start Date: 19/01/2026 Our client is seeking an experienced Freelance Highway Maintenance Supervisor to support delivery of highway maintenance works across the Oxfordshire road network. This is a contract role based out of the Drayton Depot, working on a busy term maintenance contract for Oxfordshire County Council. You will be responsible for the day-to-day supervision, coordination, and delivery of highway maintenance activities, ensuring works are completed safely, on programme, to specification, and within agreed budgets.

Key Responsibilities

Deliver highway maintenance works in line with programme targets, safety requirements, and technical specifications

Supervise both direct labour gangs and subcontractors on site

Programme and manage works in accordance with instructions from the client and contract management team

Maintain flexibility to support other depots and supervisors as required to ensure consistent delivery across the contract

Undertake pre-works reviews to ensure buildability and effective planning

Maintain a strong focus on cost control, operational efficiency, and gross margin performance

Work alongside commercial teams to develop estimates using agreed schedules of rates

Establish and manage scheme programmes, monitoring progress, costs, and performance

Ensure all works are delivered safely, to the required quality, and in line with agreed programmes

Provide regular updates using relevant planning and cost control systems (e.g. ASTA, Causeway, or similar)

Manage daily activities of site gangs, setting work targets and addressing issues as they arise

Deliver toolbox talks, safety briefings, and site communications as required

Support behavioural safety initiatives and promote a strong safety culture on site

Assist with winter maintenance operations and out-of-hours works when required

Skills & Experience Required

Proven experience supervising construction or highway maintenance works

Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to manage costs, efficiencies, and budgets

Previous experience within highway maintenance is highly desirable

Relevant qualifications including CSCS, NRSWA, and SSSTS (or equivalent)

Strong leadership and people-management skills, with the ability to motivate teams

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Good IT skills, particularly MS Excel and contract management systems

Flexible, adaptable approach with the ability to respond to changing site and programme demands

Personal Attributes

Confident leader with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously

Highly organised, able to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines

Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive, solutions-focused mindset

Professional approach to client interaction and site delivery