Lead Operational Technology Specialist - Communication Services

About the job National Highways have an excellent opportunity for a Lead Operational Technology Specialist: Communication Services to join our Digital Services team. The Lead OT Technology Specialist: Communication Services will be the leading technical specialist for the support of Operational Technology communication and network services across the Strategic Road Network. These services provide the critical connectivity that enables Operations to safely monitor and manage traffic, incidents and congestion through our Regional Operations Centres, supporting day-to-day operational decision-making and the effective delivery of smart motorway and roadside technology services. Please note this position can be based from any of our UK offices however travel to other offices to attend team meetings will be required. What you'll be leading on * Act as the technical authority for Communication Services, providing technical leadership, governance and assurance to ensure solutions are safe, secure, resilient and aligned with National Highways standards. * Define and develop the technical strategy, architecture, specifications and technology roadmap for communication services, driving innovation, enhanced resilience, improved performance and future service capability across the Strategic Road Network. * Collaborate with senior stakeholders across National Highways to shape technical proposals, influence business cases and identify opportunities to improve service performance, security, reliability and value for money. * Lead engagement with suppliers and procurement teams, ensuring communication services, commercial solutions and system designs align with long-term architecture, open standards and organisational objectives. * Build capability across the Operational Technology community by mentoring colleagues, sharing technical expertise and translating complex technical issues into clear, accessible information for a wide range of stakeholders. * Provide technical input and expertise to support assurance activities, including testing and witnessing of products and services, working with the supply chain to ensure appropriate standards, specifications and security requirements are met. About you * Proven experience in Operational Technology (OT), telecommunications, network services or other mission-critical environments, with a strong understanding of safety, resilience, availability and high-performing operational systems. * Strong technical knowledge of communication and networking technologies, including WAN, LAN, IP networking, MPLS, fibre and wireless communication services, with experience developing technical specifications, standards, architectures and governance frameworks. * Experience acting as a technical authority or subject matter expert for large-scale communication services, with an understanding of how operational technology systems and roadside assets integrate with centralised traffic management platforms. * Knowledge of Operational Technology environments and technologies such as NMCS2, CCTV, HATMS, CHARM, signs, signals and MIDAS. Experience of Intelligent Transport System frameworks such as UTMC, NTCIP or DATEX II would be advantageous. * Ability to translate complex business requirements into practical technical solutions, influence technical decisions and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. * Experience developing technology strategies, roadmaps, standards or business cases, together with supporting procurement activities, supplier evaluations and the delivery of long-term technology investment plans. About us Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England's motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this, are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership. The Digital Services Directorate is helping to reshape the way National Highways operates by delivering digital, data, and technology services across all areas, from frontline to back office, in a modern and efficient manner. Our vision is to develop integrated information and technology that empowers our colleagues and provides real-time information to our customers, as well as integrating with intelligent vehicle and transport systems as they evolve, to enhance journey safety and reliability. External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. JBRP1_UKTJ