New Development Team Leader in Bournemouth

Starting salary for this role is £53,460 (pro rata for part-time colleagues). This role sits within a well-defined pay band, offering clear progression as you grow your career at BCP. Without exception, all new starters begin at the entry point of the band, ensuring fairness and consistency across the organisation. Be part of a forward-thinking workplace where you’re supported to grow and you can truly #BeTheDifference at BCP.

Role Purpose

BCP Council is seeking an experienced and self-motivated Team Leader for our New Development Team, responsible for overseeing the assessment, approval and delivery of highway works associated with new developments across the city. This is a key leadership role within a high-profile service that ensures safe, high-quality and compliant infrastructure is delivered through Section 278 and Section 38 agreements. You will lead a busy multidisciplinary team, manage technical approvals, coordinate legal agreements, and act as a primary point of contact for developers, consultants, internal teams and elected members. You will oversee inspections, ensure adherence to standards, manage budgets, and guide the adoption of completed highway assets. You will contribute to a wide range of highway search queries and land management requests, and support colleagues with S106 transport financial contributions responses.

Main Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will bring strong experience in highways or transport engineering, a sound understanding of the Highways Act 1980, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of technical review, budget management and collaborative working is essential.

Key Responsibilities Of The Role Will Include

• Lead and manage the New Development Team, ensuring effective coordination, technical assessment and delivery of developer-funded highway works.
• Oversee the preparation, negotiation and progression of Section 278 and Section 38 legal agreements and the associated technical approvals.
• Manage inspections of highway works and ensure construction aligns with approved designs and safety requirements.
• Coordinate handover and adoption of completed highway infrastructure, ensuring all records and asset information are accurate.
• Liaise collaboratively with internal departments to ensure integrated and compliant scheme delivery.
• Provide technical advice, reports and updates to senior management and Members.
• Contribute to policy development, guidance updates and annual review of highway standards.
• Represent the Council in court proceedings, such as Highway Claims and Stopping-Up the Highway via the Highways Act providing specialist technical advice.
• Work with colleagues across Transport & Sustainable Travel and with Planning Operations to provide specialist input to complex S106 developer negotiations through an understanding of planned growth and infrastructure needs.
• Lead in the management of the Highway Records System in Transportation Services, including highway records GIS system, highway scheme details, highway boundaries associated with the council searches system remain robust and accurate.

The Ideal Candidate Experience

• Experience working in a civil engineering area of work, with a focus on working on highway design and/or a traffic management scheme.
• Experience of managing a team and of partnership working.
• Experience of analysing and interpreting varied and complex information or situations and taking authoritative action within specialist service area.

Knowledge, Skills and Understanding

• Knowledge of highway engineering techniques and of relevant design standards.
• Strong leadership skills, personal and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge and experience of drafting highway agreements, highway licences, and stopping up requests.
• Resilient to change.
• Able to provide quality, within resources available and work in the best interests of BCP Council and the community.
• Respond to events with agility in a timely way.
• Build and own strong relationships politically, externally and internally.
• Have shared collective ownership.
• Take accountability for running the service effectively balancing performance and cost.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to think strategically and act corporately.
• Excellent personal and interpersonal skills.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Experience of working within a political environment coupled with political awareness and tact.

Education & Qualifications Essential

• HNC in Civil Engineering discipline.
• Minimum Incorporated Membership of ICE, IHE, CILT, CIHT or an equivalent professional organisation.

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.

Inclusion and Accessibility

At BCP Council, inclusion is more than a promise – it’s how we work. We’re committed to providing a fully inclusive recruitment process ensuring every candidate and colleague has the support and reasonable adjustments they need to thrive. From the moment you apply, through the recruitment process and throughout your career with us, we’ll be here to listen and provide the help and support you need. It’s why we’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer – and why you can trust that we’ll always do our best to make your experience positive and accessible. If you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply or contact us directly.

Basic DBS

BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to uphold this commitment. As part of the recruitment process, applicants for this role will be required to undertake the appropriate level of Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.