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- Tasks: Lead highway development management and provide expert advice on transport infrastructure.
- Company: Join Cambridgeshire County Council, a dynamic team shaping the future of transport in a vibrant community.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible bank holidays, additional leave options, and a comprehensive wellbeing package.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local communities while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in transport or Civil Engineering and experience in highway development management required.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage all candidates to apply, regardless of qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Cambridgeshire County Council is offering an opportunity for a principal engineer with highway development management experience to fulfill demanding roles in a busy team dealing with the challenges presented by an ambitious and wide-ranging growth agenda. The team has one full-time and permanent position available, based at our Huntingdon Depot. The ability to travel to different locations is essential. Place and Sustainability are at the forefront of making sure Cambridgeshire is open for business.
The roles are based within the Highways & Transport service, which is responsible for leading on the development and delivery of key infrastructure and policy across Cambridgeshire, and is therefore pivotal to delivering on its long-term infrastructure and transport aspirations.
What will you be doing?
The HDM team is responsible for informing, influencing, and advising upon the highway aspects of development proposals through the Council’s role as a statutory consultee for planning applications. An experienced principal engineer is required to lead on developing, promoting, and securing the County’s highway and transport objectives through the assessment of development proposals, providing professional and technical advice and support to local planning authorities, and identification and negotiation of developer-funded highway infrastructure.
About you
Ideally, you will have a degree or equivalent in a transport or Civil Engineering related discipline (or equivalent experience) together with experience of highway development management. As well as being able to demonstrate wide experience of HDM/related highway discipline, you will have experience of highway design, construction, and drainage techniques, and a good working knowledge of highways legislation. You will understand the complexities of local government, be able to find solutions to complex problems, and have experience of working closely with Members and key stakeholders.
We value our colleagues in Cambridgeshire County Council and have developed a number of benefits in addition to the basics like annual leave, sick pay, pension, and mileage:
- A comprehensive wellbeing package to cover all aspects of wellbeing, both in and out of work, which can also be accessed by your family.
- Buy up to 4 weeks additional annual leave (pro-rata) through our salary sacrifice scheme.
- Take your bank holidays flexibly to better suit your personal circumstances.
- Make Additional Voluntary Contributions (Shared AVCs) to your pension with tax and National Insurance savings.
- Access to development opportunities, apprenticeships, and qualified coaches to support your personal and professional growth.
- Paid volunteering hours each year so you can make a positive impact on our community during your normal working day.
- Access to Peer Support Groups through our IDEAL staff equality, diversity, and inclusion network.
- Opportunities to nominate and receive Employee Recognition Awards.
- An Our Cambs Rewards account, giving you access to in-store and online discounts as well as our Car Lease and Cycle to Work schemes.
Take a look at our Employment Benefits Brochure attached to this advert to find out more.
About us
Cambridgeshire is a great place to work and live, with a diverse population, an urban center in Cambridge, historic Isle of Ely, Huntingdon, and St Ives, as well as more rural landscapes. Our four values are central to our culture, driving everything we do. We are proud to serve the diverse communities of Cambridgeshire and want our workforce to be reflective of this diversity, which we firmly believe benefits our colleagues, the organization, and our communities.
If you don’t meet every single requirement in the job role but think this could be you, please don’t be put off. We are committed to building a workplace that is compassionate, inclusive, and diverse. If you think you could be a good candidate for this role, please consider applying and speak to the recruiting manager if you have any questions.
Our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy, along with our employee network 'IDEAL' and self-organized peer support groups, help us foster an inclusive, supportive, and safe working environment where people feel valued, respected, and empowered. We collect relevant diversity data for monitoring as part of the recruitment process to understand the diversity of our applicants and monitor trends to take meaningful action. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We fully support providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and when you join us. We encourage candidates to contact the Hiring Manager, whose details are in the advert, to discuss any adjustment needs. Examples of adjustments could include additional time for assessments or printing documents on pastel-colored paper with larger font size and line spacing. We would value discussing what might be possible to enable you to join and thrive with us.
Visit our jobs and careers section to learn more about our learning and development opportunities, apprenticeships, wellbeing package, staff benefits, and our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Job Details
- Salary Frequency: Annual
- Job Reference: Ref/58573/6777
- Contract Type: Full Time
- Closing Date: 20 July 2025
- Job Category: Highways and Transportation
- Location: Highway Depot (Huntingdon), United Kingdom
Principal Highway Development Management Engineer employer: Grafham Water Center
Contact Detail:
Grafham Water Center Recruiting Team
shane.luck@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Highway Development Management Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific highway development management practices and policies in Cambridgeshire. Understanding local legislation and recent projects can give you an edge in discussions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field by attending local transport and engineering events or joining relevant online forums. This can help you gain insights into the role and potentially connect with current employees at Cambridgeshire County Council.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with stakeholder engagement, as this role involves working closely with local planning authorities and community members. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully navigated complex discussions in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the ongoing infrastructure projects in Cambridgeshire and think about how your skills can contribute to these initiatives. Showing that you are proactive and knowledgeable about the council's goals will make a strong impression.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Highway Development Management Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in highway development management. Focus on specific projects you've worked on, particularly those that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only introduces yourself but also explains why you are passionate about this role at Cambridgeshire County Council. Mention how your skills and experiences make you a perfect fit for their ambitious growth agenda.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your degree or equivalent qualifications in transport or Civil Engineering. If you have additional certifications or training related to highway design or legislation, be sure to include these as well.
Showcase Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, provide examples of complex problems you've solved in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to navigate the complexities of local government and work effectively with stakeholders.
How to prepare for a job interview at Grafham Water Center
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Principal Highway Development Management Engineer. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of highway development management, including legislation and local government complexities, as this will help you answer questions confidently.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in highway design, construction, and drainage techniques. Be ready to provide specific examples of how you've successfully navigated complex problems or worked with stakeholders, as this will demonstrate your capability for the role.
✨Research Cambridgeshire County Council
Take some time to learn about Cambridgeshire County Council's values, projects, and community initiatives. This knowledge will not only help you align your answers with their goals but also show your genuine interest in contributing to their mission.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask at the end of the interview. Inquire about the team's current projects or challenges they face. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you assess if the position is the right fit for you.
