The starting salary for this role is £90,363 per annum, working 36 hours per week.
We are hiring a new Assistant Director for Highways Transport and Road Safety to join our Highways Transport and Road Safety Service.
This is an exciting, senior role within the wider Place Directorate reporting to the Director of Highways, Transport and Network Management with responsibility for ensuring resources and strategies are in place across a range of technical activities, ensuring compliance with legislation and delivering the Council's ambitions in the most efficient and effective way for Surrey residents.
The role requires travel across Surrey, and occasionally beyond, to meet with colleagues, services and partners. Outside of these commitments, hybrid working arrangements allow flexibility in where you work. You will be expected to lead from the front, driving operational excellence and delivering swift, effective change in a senior leadership capacity.
About the Role
This role involves working collaboratively across the Place Directorate and with external partners to lead the development and delivery of a wide range of transport and road safety strategies, projects and programmes. You will ensure these initiatives align with and support the Council's strategic objectives, with a particular focus on the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), the Bus Enhanced Partnership (Scheme and Plan), and the Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy, providing clear direction to enable successful implementation.
You will lead the development of transport initiatives that improve the appeal and quality of public and community transport, working in partnership to support the Surrey Transport Plan and the Council's wider ambitions. Delivery will be achieved through close collaboration with the Place and Highways, Transport and Network Management Leadership Teams, as well as other SCC colleagues and partners, ensuring resources are effectively aligned and customer service standards remain high.
You will oversee experienced teams responsible for integrating transport and road safety functions across Surrey, including coordination with stakeholders such as Bus Enhanced Partnership members, Surrey Police, Fire & Rescue, schools, transport operators and government. You will also manage the provision and improvement of bus and demand-responsive services, and lead transport-related studies and data analysis to inform infrastructure priorities, support funding bids and evaluate the impact of interventions.
The Service operates in an environment with significant political engagement and has regular contact with Cabinet Members and County Councillors. You will be expected to embrace excellent customer service in your approach, ensuring that you and your teams put the customer at the heart of everything they do.
Your service area will need to adapt based on best practice, technological advancements and funding opportunities. A key part of this role will be helping to shape the team in readiness for Local Government Reorganisation as more is understood about the impacts for Surrey.
Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following:
Demonstrable experience in delivering change at pace within a complex organisation.
Knowledge of principles and practices gained through extensive experience and development in a relevant field of operation.
Political sensitivity with an ability to make progress in complex policy areas and a strong belief in the value of local democracy and accountability.
Highly developed written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence and engage high level internal and external stakeholders effectively.
Excellent analytical thinker able to apply a significant degree of evaluative and provide practical and creative solutions.
Extensive understanding of the broader contextual factors affecting the role.
Application Process
As part of the application process, you will be asked to upload your CV and answer the following application questions:
What are your motivations for applying for this role?
Please tell us about your previous experience of leadership across Transport and Road Safety activities.
Describe a time when you used your stakeholder management and negotiation skills to overcome a problem.
Please tell us about a time you constructively challenged existing practice to bring about effective change.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 07/09/2025 with interviews to follow.
We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
This post has been designated as a politically restricted post in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
Rewards and Benefits
26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service.
Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave.
An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing.
Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
Paternity, adoption and dependents leave.
A generous local government salary related pension
Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
2 paid volunteering days per year
Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources.
Local Government Reorganisation
Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.
Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.
Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents