Job Description
8-9 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• The Head of Highways Maintenance and Management is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the delivery and operational management of all highway’s maintenance services, including carriageways, footways, cycleways, green infrastructure, drainage, and structures.
• Reporting to the Service Director of Infrastructure and Project Delivery, the role provides strategic leadership and technical expertise to ensure high-quality, customer-focused service delivery in line with organisational objectives, legislation, and best practices.
• The post-holder will lead service development, manage resources and budgets effectively, and foster strong collaborative relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Develop and implement strategic objectives aligned with organisational priorities and legislative requirements.
• Lead and manage highways maintenance teams to ensure effective service delivery, operational planning, and compliance with standards and policies.
• Provide expert professional advice and maintain up-to-date policies and best practices within the highways maintenance remit.
• Monitor and report on performance metrics and operational outcomes, using data to drive continuous improvement.
• Manage financial resources, ensuring value for money and adherence to procurement and financial regulations.
• Represent the organisation at partner, board, and stakeholder meetings, building and maintaining effective relationships.
• Lead change management initiatives and service improvement projects within the highway’s maintenance function.
• Ensure health, safety, and wellbeing are embedded in all activities.
• Support staff development, succession planning, and promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
Skills/Experience:
• Extensive knowledge of highways maintenance, local government legislation, policy, and procurement regulations.
• Proven strategic thinking and decision-making skills, with the ability to analyse risk and deliver effective outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, advocacy, and communication skills, capable of engaging diverse audiences.
• Demonstrable leadership and management experience within a large, complex organisation.
• Experience in performance management, financial oversight, and project delivery.
• High personal motivation, resilience, and emotional intelligence.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, with practical understanding of embedding these principles in the workplace.
Additional Information:
• The role is Hybrid.
• Enhanced DBS is required for this role.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent extensive professional experience in a relevant discipline such as civil engineering, project or programme management.
Requirements
• Extensive knowledge of highways maintenance, local government legislation, policy, and procurement regulations. • Proven strategic thinking and decision-making skills, with the ability to analyse risk and deliver effective outcomes. • Strong interpersonal, negotiation, advocacy, and communication skills, capable of engaging diverse audiences. • Demonstrable leadership and management experience within a large, complex organisation. • Experience in performance management, financial oversight, and project delivery. • High personal motivation, resilience, and emotional intelligence. • Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, with practical understanding of embedding these principles in the workplace.