Wirral Council is a place where you can genuinely make a difference, guided by strong organisational values that shape everything we do. Our values—ambitious, professional, resident‑focused and accountable—act as our organisational DNA, influencing how we work, lead and support one another every day. We take pride in delivering great services, acting with integrity, building positive relationships, and always putting residents first, creating a supportive and inclusive culture where everyone can “be the best we can be”. With our beautiful surroundings, ambitious future plans, and a commitment to empowering staff to #BeTheDifference, Wirral Council offers an inspiring environment to grow your career and make a lasting impact.
Highway Inspection Manager
Are you an experienced highways professional ready to lead a high‑performing inspection service and make a real impact on Wirral’s highway network? We’re looking for a motivated and skilled Highways Inspection Manager to join our team and play a vital role in maintaining safe, efficient, and high‑quality infrastructure across the borough.
About The Role
As our Highways Inspection Manager, you will take operational responsibility for the management of the Council’s highway inspection service, overseeing strategic highways contracts and leading a dedicated team of apprentices, inspectors and team leaders.
You’ll ensure that inspection programmes are delivered on time, to budget, and in line with statutory requirements—including Section 41/58 Highways Act duties—and you will act as the Council’s lead officer for third‑party highway claims, representing Wirral Council in court where required.
This role also carries special responsibility for managing the Council’s highways winter service, including decision‑making on forecast data, directing operational responses, and acting as senior duty officer on a rotational basis.
What You’ll Be Doing
* Leading and developing a proactive, high‑performing inspection team.
* Managing the delivery of highway safety, serviceability and compliance inspections.
* Ensuring all contractor activity is monitored, meets standards, and delivers value for money.
* Coordinating responses to customer enquiries and supporting neighbourhood‑based working.
* Overseeing training, competence and development of inspection staff.
* Providing robust evidence to support the Council’s Section 58 defence against claims.
* Working closely with internal and external partners, including utility companies, tree management teams, and contractors.
* Managing operational data to support asset planning and strategic decisions.
* Leading the winter service operations, including directing treatments and managing budgets.
* Ensuring strict compliance with health and safety, GDPR, corporate governance and all relevant legislation.
About You
We’re looking for someone who brings strong leadership, technical expertise, and confidence in decision‑making. You will thrive in a fast‑paced environment, often dealing with competing priorities and high levels of responsibility.
You Will Have
* HNC/HND in Highway or Civil Engineering (or equivalent).
* ILM Level 3 or similar leadership qualification.
* Street Works and Health & Safety qualifications.
* Strong understanding of highway legislation, inspections, materials and maintenance practices.
* Experience overseeing highway inspection teams and working with term maintenance contractors.
* Knowledge of winter service operations and interpreting complex weather data.
* Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence, collaborate and negotiate.
Desirable qualifications include degree‑level technical study, professional membership (CIHT/ICE), and IT‑related credentials.
Interviews
Interviews will be held on Thursday 14 th May 2026.
If you wish to discuss this role or require further information, please contact Linda Summers at lindasummers@wirral.gov.uk.
Please be advised that this role does not meet the requirements of a skilled worker visa as set out by UK Visas and Immigration. For details regarding the salary of a skilled worker visa please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations-and-codes. For details regarding the salary of a skilled worker visa, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-immigration-salary-list/skilled-worker-visa-immigration-salary-list.
If you are a Wirral resident, unemployed or out of work and require help with your application, please contact Involve Northwest’s employment and skills team at info@involvenorthwest.org.uk or 0151 644 4500 or 0151 652 4349.
If you’re already a Wirral Council employee, as part of our talent strategy, we’re committed to strengthening opportunities for our people to learn, grow, progress and thrive. For many of you, this may be preparing and applying for your next role with us, and we’re passionate about ensuring you feel supported throughout your internal recruitment experience. If you want to know more about the ways we could support you, email recruitment@wirral.gov.uk.
Working at Wirral
Our values are more than just pieces of paper on our walls! We’ve all played a role in developing these, so they reflect the pride we have in what we do, what matters to us, what inspires us and how we think, approach and behave.
We believe in ensuring staff are well looked after. Staff wellbeing is a priority for us. We recognise and reward people for the good things they do. You’ll benefit from our track record of developing, growing and investing in our people.
We offer staff benefits including staff discounts, an excellent pension scheme with a generous employer contribution rate, immediate life cover and ill‑health protection. We have a strong flexible working approach, hybrid working, family‑friendly initiatives and an annual leave package starting with 28 days leave plus public holidays.
We have an inclusive, engaged culture. Everyone has a voice, is valued for their contribution and understands the role they play in delivering our strategic priorities. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds who share our values to apply.
If you’d like us to do anything differently during the recruitment process to make it barrier‑free and as accessible as possible, please contact recruitment@wirral.gov.uk.
Note that employees in a formal redeployment situation will be considered first for all vacancies. Employees who have left under the Early Voluntary Retirement scheme or with a voluntary severance package will not be re‑appointed unless exceptional circumstances.
Applications will be accepted until midnight on the closing date. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier. Applications can only be accepted through the Jobs page following registration and not by post. All applicants invited to interview must evidence their right to work in the UK. Documents required can be found on the Jobs page. The job description and other supporting documents will not be accessible once the vacancy closing date has passed. We do not accept applications from recruitment agencies unless otherwise stated.
How To Apply
Please apply online by clicking the link below.
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