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- Tasks: Lead and manage highways teams to ensure safe roads and pavements across Central Bedfordshire.
- Company: Join Central Bedfordshire Council, a forward-thinking local authority focused on community growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, job security, and the chance to make a real difference in your community.
- Why this job: Shape the future of local infrastructure while advocating for safety and innovation.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in highways management and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence major growth projects and engage with the community.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
As part of the council's leadership team, you will guide your specialist technical teams to ensure Central Bedfordshire's highways, roads, and pavements are safe across our 1,400 kilometre-wide unitary area. To be successful, you must have substantial experience leading and managing a highways and technical function within a large public or private sector organisation.
Central Bedfordshire is planning an additional 20,000 homes and an extensive maintenance programme. The role is about leadership as much as expertise; you will set direction for a large, technically skilled service, work closely with contractors and partners to drive performance and value, advise elected members, manage risk, and operate confidently in public and committee settings. You will also align highways delivery with wider ambitions around safety, active travel and growth.
The Place and Communities directorate delivers infrastructure, development, planning and environmental services in a commercially aware and sustainable way. Any major growth site and strategic route decisions carry political weight; you will balance long‑term resilience with short‑term pressures and communicate openly and credibly to members and residents.
We expect you to be a technical expert in highways, an accomplished leader who grows and nurtures teams, and an advocate for innovation and community engagement.
Closing date: Midnight on February 8th January. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. For more details, visit the job page. For a confidential conversation, please contact Dylan Craven or Liam Young.
To apply, submit an up‑to‑date CV (three sides of A4 maximum) and a supporting statement (three sides of A4 maximum) that details your experience and achievements, and addresses the key criteria for the role using examples to demonstrate how you meet the requirements. Full contact details; Names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees (we will ask your permission before contacting referees); Details of your notice period; Notification of any dates when you are not available for an interview.
CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL – Bedfordshire, UK – Permanent.
Service Director - Highways in Bedford employer: Local Government Chronicle
Contact Detail:
Local Government Chronicle Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Director - Highways in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the highways and public sector. Attend local events or webinars where you can meet people who might know about job openings or can give you insider tips.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Central Bedfordshire's current projects and challenges. Show that you’re not just a technical expert but also someone who understands the community's needs and can lead effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and projects in the past. This will help you demonstrate your capability to guide the technical teams effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Central Bedfordshire Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Director - Highways in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Service Director role. Highlight your experience in leading highways and technical teams, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant achievements that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to detail your experience and how it meets the key criteria for the role. Be specific and use examples to demonstrate your leadership skills and technical expertise.
Keep It Concise: Remember, we want to see your best work, so keep your CV and supporting statement to three sides of A4 each. Be clear and concise, focusing on the most relevant information that showcases your fit for the role.
Check Your Availability: Before you hit send, double-check your notice period and any dates when you won’t be available for an interview. This helps us plan better and shows you’re organised!
How to prepare for a job interview at Local Government Chronicle
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge about highways and infrastructure. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've led or been involved in, especially those that align with the council's goals for safety and community engagement.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that showcase your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Think about times when you’ve driven performance and value, and be ready to share how you nurture talent within your team.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with Central Bedfordshire’s plans for growth and maintenance. Be prepared to discuss how you would align highways delivery with broader ambitions like active travel and community safety, demonstrating your strategic thinking.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing complex topics. You’ll need to communicate effectively with elected members and the public, so consider how you can convey technical information in an accessible way.
