Senior Highways Project Manager – Transport & Public Realm

About The Role

This contract position as Senior Highways Project Manager – Transport & Public Realm in London offers £400 daily via umbrella, full time with hybrid working once approved. The postholder leads the Council's most complex highways, transport, public realm and active travel schemes, acting as senior client representative with considerable autonomy. Duties span the entire lifecycle: feasibility, option development, business cases, design, consultation and approval. Candidates need proven major programme delivery, strong stakeholder management, budgetary control and political awareness. This capital-funded PO7 role directly supports regeneration, climate and place-making priorities across the borough.

London | Contract | £350–£400 per day (umbrella) | Hybrid (up to 4 days from home once approved)

Lead the Council's most complex, high-value highways, transport, public realm and active travel programmes as a senior, supernumerary capital-funded Post (PO7). You'll operate with significant autonomy as the Council's senior client representative, driving schemes that directly support transport, regeneration, climate change and place-making priorities.diversitydashboard

What You'll Do

• Lead major highways, transport, public realm and active travel programmes of high strategic, financial and political importance.
• Manage projects through the full lifecycle: feasibility, option development, business cases, design, consultation, approvals, procurement and implementation.
• Maintain project programmes, risk registers, plans and governance documentation; ensure safe delivery within approved budgets and timescales.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams and integrate technical, operational and stakeholder requirements.
• Act as the Council's senior representative with Members, residents, businesses, community groups, TfL, government agencies and statutory undertakers.
• Prepare and present reports and recommendations for senior officers, Cabinet Members and committees.
• Commission, manage and coordinate consultants, contractors and specialist advisers; lead procurement activities where required.
• Manage significant capital project budgets and funding allocations; prepare funding claims and financial monitoring reports.
• Provide professional leadership, guidance and mentoring to Project Managers and delivery staff; deputise for the Senior Service Manager on project matters.

What you’ll bring (essential)

• Significant experience leading major capital infrastructure, highways, transport, public realm or regeneration projects of high complexity and public significance.
• Proven experience managing projects through the full lifecycle from inception to delivery.
• Experience delivering projects within a local authority, public sector or similarly complex environment.
• Demonstrable experience managing politically sensitive projects involving Members, senior officers and external stakeholders.
• Experience developing and managing substantial capital budgets and externally funded programmes.
• Experience managing consultants, contractors and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience of stakeholder engagement, consultation and political reporting; presenting to senior leadership teams, Cabinet Members or formal decision-making bodies.
• Experience managing strategic relationships with TfL, government bodies and other external partners.
• Strong understanding of project/programme management principles, governance and risk management.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills; strong financial management capability and commercial awareness.
• Ability to analyse complex information, manage multiple priorities and work independently with sound professional judgement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project management software.

Desirable

• Degree or equivalent in Project Management, Transport Planning, Engineering, Urban Design or related discipline.
• Professional qualification or membership of a relevant institution; PRINCE2, APM, MSP or equivalent.
• Experience delivering TfL-funded programmes; active travel, Healthy Streets, corridor improvement or public realm schemes.
• Knowledge of London local authority governance and decision-making processes.

What's on offer

• £350–£400 per day (umbrella), depending on experience.
• Hybrid working: up to 4 days from home once approved by your line manager.
• High-impact role shaping London's transport network, public spaces and climate outcomes.
• Direct exposure to Members, senior officers, TfL and government stakeholders.

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