Senior/Principal Highways Development Management Officer

We have a fantastic opportunity available for a Senior/Principal Highways Development Management Officer to join our proactive Highways Team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full time, permanent basis. In your role as Senior/Principal Highways Development Management Officer you will support and represent the Highways Development Management team associated with the design, planning and delivery of new highways and streets within the Borough. This includes representing the highways and transport service at planning committees and appeal hearings/inquiries.

Benefits:

• A generous annual leave entitlement of 30-31 days (rising to 35-36 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays
• An excellent local government pension scheme
• An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline
• A range of local & lifestyle discounts
• Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)
• Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes
• And much more!

Key responsibilities:

• To advise on the transport implications/highways impacts of pre-application development proposals
• To assess planning applications including advising and making recommendations on their transportation implications, having regard to Borough policy and to Government policy and advice.
• To advise on Transport Assessments and Travel Plans presented in support of development proposals and carry out transport appraisals of development proposals
• Provide assistance and guidance to developers on the Scoping of any TA required, including commissioning and review of strategic transport model outputs from the Borough’s modelling team.
• To negotiate appropriate financial contributions towards transportation services and infrastructure required arising from planning applications
• To instruct Borough solicitors on highways obligations to be secured within Section 106 agreements and review and advise on draft legal agreements
• Meet with other officers, developers and their agents where appropriate to discuss issues and seek to find solutions to outstanding problems to facilitate the successful outcome of the planning application
• To prepare and present evidence to Public Inquiries, Hearings and planning appeals.

Candidate requirements:

• Ability to contribute and set policies that will effectively deliver improvements in H&T safety or sustainability
• Excellent working knowledge of relevant national and international H&T related policies (NPPF) standards (e.g. DMRB, Manual for Streets)
• Expert knowledge of street design, with particular focus on the delivery of high-quality streets through the planning process
• Minimum of 10 years experience in the development planning/management industry, including strategic scales of developments (e.g. over 500 dwellings/15,000m2 Commercial)
• Extensive experience analysing or interpreting industry software (such as Junctions 10, LinSig and modelling platforms)

Our Area:

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside. We’re home to a range of high performing schools including 69 primary and 21 secondary, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

For more information or to arrange an information conversation, please email Alan Lewis - Highways Development Manager.

Closing date: 27th April 2025, 11pm

Interview date: TBC

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer. Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.