Professional Services Partnering Manager

About the Role

Are you passionate about infrastructure, partnership management and making a real impact? A dynamic and experienced individual is sought to join the Highways Service and play a key role in delivering high-quality, sustainable services. This is an opportunity to influence the delivery of all highway projects across Derbyshire. The role involves working closely with senior leaders, project funders and sponsors, our own partners and external frameworks like Midlands Highway Alliance. The successful candidate will champion the running of the service to ensure that value, performance, quality, KPI management and social value are recognised and managed.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage strategic delivery partnerships and frameworks for Highways and the wider Place directorate.
• Provide leadership and line management to the business support team (up to five staff).
• Oversee the Professional Services Partnership, monitoring KPIs, supplier performance and contractual compliance.
• Represent the Council on frameworks such as Bloom, ESPO and Midlands Highway Alliance PSP/MSF.
• Develop and maintain governance processes for supplier payments and cost allocation.
• Lead creation of contractual documentation aligned with procurement routes.
• Manage mobilisation and demobilisation of frameworks and partnerships.
• Ensure consistency in commissioned work and act as gatekeeper for incoming tasks.
• Develop and operate a resourcing strategy for short- and long-term workloads, ensuring resilience and succession planning.
• Ensure partnering activity complies with financial regulations and prioritises safety.
• Invoice external partners where the Council provides or procures services.
• Support development of a sustainable business model for internal professional services.
• Promote a culture of proactive risk management across internal and external supply chains.

About You

• Extensive experience with NEC contracts in leadership roles (Project Manager, Service Manager, Contractor/Subcontractor).
• Proven ability to manage long-term contracts, supplier relationships and performance.
• Strong programme and project management ability, including development of resourcing models.
• Skilled in negotiation and partnership-building.
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, influencing and communication skills.
• Understanding of public sector finances and time‑allocation systems across multiple projects.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• A relevant professional qualification or significant experience managing complex construction/professional services contracts with specialist knowledge.
• Extensive experience in the procurement and management of complex construction and professional services contracts backed by evidence of appropriate specialist knowledge.

Desirable

• NEC Accreditation

Support & Benefits:

• Flexi Time Scheme: Up to two days flexi leave every four weeks (pro rata for part-time employees), subject to service needs.
• Generous Annual Leave Scheme: Ensures a healthy work-life balance.
• Local Government Pension Scheme: Provides financial security.
• Wellbeing Support Framework: Includes OH physician services, physiotherapy, CBT, and in-house counselling.
• Employee Wellbeing Support: Fast track physiotherapy, confidential psychological support services, Employee Assistance Programme, and “Wisdom” app.
• Electric/Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme: Encourages environmentally friendly commuting options.
• Our Derbyshire Rewards: a package of benefits and discounts.

If you’re passionate about driving excellence in professional services partnerships and ensuring value for money across the highways function, we look forward to receiving your application.

Closing Date: Sunday 1st February 2026

Interview Date: 9th to 13th February

Candidates who have previously applied and were unsuccessful need not reapply.