Job title: Head of Service – Highways
Grade/Salary: Band HAY 2 (£87,234 to £99,426)
Contract type: Full time, Permanent
Working pattern: Monday – Friday, 37 hours
Location: Sandwell Council House, Oldbury (Hybrid)
Role
We are looking for a highly experienced Highways leader to provide clear direction across a diverse and critical service area. Acting as the Council’s principal advisor, you will lead on highways, traffic management, road safety and flood risk, ensuring full compliance with statutory duties and alignment with wider organisational priorities.
You will drive the development and delivery of key strategies, including asset management, infrastructure investment and road safety, while overseeing maintenance, inspections and capital projects to ensure a safe, efficient and sustainable network. As Traffic Manager and Lead Local Flood Authority representative, you will play a pivotal role in keeping the network moving and resilient.
Strong leadership across multi‑disciplinary teams, responsibility for parking and streetworks services and a proven ability to secure external funding and deliver high‑profile projects on time and within budget are essential. You will work closely with regional and national partners, champion innovation and ensure the highest standards of health, safety and service delivery.
Attributes you would bring
* Degree in civil engineering, transport planning or a related discipline.
* Chartered Engineer or equivalent professional status.
* Extensive management experience including project, people, budget, performance management and best value.
* Senior managerial experience in a complex organisation comparable to local government.
* Effective skills to manage a varied team with differing skills and abilities.
* Extensive knowledge of issues affecting the service area.
* Excellent understanding of local government processes and functions.
* Experience overseeing large‑scale change programmes outcome‑focused.
* Demonstrated experience in project planning that aligns to the organisational framework/corporate plan to enable transformational change.
* Understanding of how transformational change underpins the Medium‑Term Financial Plan.
* Experience delivering high‑quality customer services.
* Knowledge of local government decision making, governance and working with elected members.
* Public sector leadership evidence with change management/transformation skills.
* Strong service‑delivery champion focused on continuous improvement.
* Leadership role in developing a strong commercial function for the organisation.
Benefits
Sandwell Council offers a values‑led environment with competitive remuneration, excellent benefits and a strong focus on development.
Equal opportunities
We place equality, diversity and inclusion at the core of who we are and how we lead, where every voice matters. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a workplace where everyone feels they belong, are treated fairly and have the opportunity to thrive.
Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process and within the workplace to support applicants and employees with disabilities.
Closing date for applications is 21/06/2026.
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