Operations Manager (Highways & Toll Roads)

Join Ferrovial: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity

Are you ready to elevate your career with a global leader in infrastructure solving complex problems and generating a positive outcome on people's lives? At Ferrovial, we are not just a company; we are a community of innovators and trailblazers. Ferrovial is also leading the development of the New Terminal One at JFK International Airport.

Ferrovial shares trade under the ticker symbol FER on two stock markets: Nasdaq in the U.S. (Nasdaq100 Index) and the Spanish Stock Exchanges (IBEX 35). Ferrovial is included in globally recognized sustainability indices such as the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Index. We operate in more than 15 countries and have a workforce of over 22,000 professionals worldwide.

Ferrovial's activity is carried out through our business units, including Highways, Airports, Construction, and Energy.

Cintra is the highways business unit of Ferrovial, one of the world's leading infrastructure operators committed to developing sustainable solutions. Today, its portfolio includes nearly 1,200 miles of managed highways globally, representing a total global investment in roadway improvements of over $24.8 billion.

We provide the maximum value in each project, managing all phases of the life cycle of our state-of-the-art infrastructure assets, such as the 407 ETR in Canada, the Managed Lanes LBJ and NTE in Texas, I-77 in North Carolina, I-66 in Virginia and our projects in Europe, South America, and India.

Why Ferrovial?

• Global presence, local impact: Be part of a company that is shaping the future of infrastructure worldwide, with challenging roles and projects that make a real difference.
• Collaborative excellence: Work alongside talented professionals in a collaborative environment where your ideas and contributions are valued.
• Inclusive Culture: Thrive in an innovative and respectful workplace that values every voice, celebrates what makes us unique and turns differences into innovation.
• Career growth: Benefit from global and cross-business unit mobility, with development processes designed to ensure your professional growth.
• Compelling benefits and employee wellbeing: Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that rewards your hard work and dedication and take advantage of initiatives designed to support your physical and psychological health.
• Productivity tools: Utilize cutting-edge tools like Microsoft Copilot to enhance your productivity and efficiency.

About the Role

The Operations Manager plays a pivotal role in shaping operational strategy and delivering long-term value across the company's infrastructure portfolio. As part of a highly skilled, specialized Operations Department, this role combines strategic influence, team leadership, and technical expertise across project procurement, implementation, and operations.

The Operations Manager translates infrastructure operations and maintenance expertise into actionable strategies and informed business decisions. Working across functions and with concession teams, the role advances performance standards, optimizes lifecycle costs, manages risk, and unlocks value in new opportunities and the existing portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Support to Business Development

• Lead the O&M workstream across all bidding phases, partnering with Business Development to shape competitive bid strategies. Represent Operations Department in project meetings, oversee O&M deliverables, select and manage external advisors, and coordinate operational inputs on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), tolling systems, and insurance.
• Define integrated operating and maintenance strategies during bidding that meet performance requirements and support long-term asset value. Establish team structures, maintenance strategies and procedures across activity levels, rehabilitation approaches, and tolling operations where applicable.
• Oversee and perform lifecycle cost analyses using O&M models, translating contractual requirements into robust cost assumptions that inform bid strategy and decision-making.
• Coordinate technical support throughout bidding, including bid-document reviews, risk assessments, and engagement with advisors, including the Lenders' Technical Advisor (LTA). Develop clear presentations, reports, and technical proposals that communicate operational strategies and support informed decisions.

Support to Concessions and Operational Robustness

• Partner with concession leadership to provide strategic and technical guidance across project implementation, design and construction, and operations, including:
• Guide the setup and optimization of O&M teams and subcontracting arrangements, aligning organizational structures and delivery models with project needs.
• Drive the development, review, and continuous improvement of operational procedures, maintenance plans, emergency plans, and asset management documentation.
• Define and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), asset performance metrics, and service levels to inform management decisions, and guide the implementation and continuous improvement of Asset Management Systems.
• Advise concession companies on contractual change requests, compensation events, and scope modifications, providing technical and commercial assessments that clarify risks, implications, and available options.
• Contribute strategic O&M input to annual business planning and budgeting, aligning OPEX, CAPEX, and lifecycle expenditure forecasts with asset priorities.
• Champion operational excellence and asset management best practices across concessions to strengthen performance, reliability, and efficiency.
• Influence design optimization, construction activities, and O&M initiatives through technical input that reflects long-term operational needs and lifecycle value.
• Identify and assess operational, maintenance, and lifecycle risks, developing mitigation strategies that protect asset performance and strengthen resilience.
• Evaluate and implement innovative technologies, digital solutions, and continuous improvement initiatives that deliver operational benefits.
• Lead portfolio benchmarking and performance assessments, translating insights into actionable cost optimization, value enhancement, and operational improvement opportunities.
• Assess and implement O&M optimization strategies that balance service quality, asset performance, and cost efficiency.
• Develop training programs and knowledge-sharing initiatives to build operational expertise and strengthen capabilities across the portfolio.
• Monitor non-conformance management, corrective action plans, and compliance improvement initiatives to reinforce operational discipline.
• Lead lessons-learned and knowledge management processes, turning operational experience into shared practices and continuous improvement across the portfolio.
• Analyze O&M expenditure and strategies across existing projects, applying lessons learned and historical performance data to strengthen lifecycle cost models for new opportunities.
• Maintain robust long-term O&M cost forecasts for existing projects, providing a sound basis for valuation, business planning, and investment decisions.
• Lead, mentor, and develop direct reports, setting clear priorities and expectations, providing constructive feedback, and supporting performance and professional growth.
• Review the technical provisions of Design-Build (D&B) and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) contracts, assessing their implications for operational delivery and lifecycle performance.
• Support and oversee lenders' technical due diligence, coordinating operational inputs and responses to technical matters.
• Develop and maintain integrated long-term CAPEX and OPEX forecasting models to inform valuation, asset planning, and bidding strategies.
• Shape O&M strategies and value enhancement initiatives that align operational priorities with long-term asset performance.
• Manage complex relationships with concession companies, contractors, public agencies, lenders, and project partners, building alignment around operational priorities and project objectives.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering discipline; master's degree preferred.
• 7-10+ years of management experience with direct responsibility for operations and maintenance, preferably within a concession company or Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
• Experience with Department of Transportation procurement processes or highway or roadway maintenance contracts, preferably within Public-Private Partnerships (P3s).
• Professional Engineer (PE) certification desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects effectively; Project Management Professional (PMP) certification desirable.

Professional Qualities

• Self-directed leadership, with the ability to set priorities, delegate effectively, and manage team delivery with accountability.
• Collaborative management style, with the ability to build alignment, influence colleagues, and develop direct reports within a self-managed team structure.
• Sound judgment and resourcefulness in balancing competing priorities, resolving complex problems, and implementing innovative processes in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear strategic and commercial insights.
• Ability to develop clear technical writing and communication skills that support effective coordination and informed decision-making.
• Effective presentation skills, with the ability to communicate technical concepts and strategic recommendations clearly to varied audiences.

Computer Skills

• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and other PC-based applications.
• Experience with CAD and/or MicroStation desirable.
• Experience with VUE Works asset management software and ArcGIS desirable.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• The work environment is usually quiet.
• Some travel is required, potentially including domestic and international air travel.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• The role requires the ability to adjust visual focus as necessary for computer use.
• The employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and sit.

Additional information

Seize the challenge. Move the world together! Innovative, creative, respectful, and diverse are some of the ways we describe ourselves. We are motivated by challenges, and we collaborate across our business units to move the world together. Your journey to a fulfilling career starts here!

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