Corporate Lead - Highways Management in Halifax

Role Purpose

Provide strategic, operational and professional leadership for our client\’s Highways Management service, ensuring a safe, resilient and well-managed highway network that supports the Corporate Plan and Vision 2034. Lead a multidisciplinary team delivering policy, asset management, street works, development control and major programmes across the borough.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire and develop a team of 44 professionals delivering highways policy, programmes and network management.
• Drive service and corporate improvement, contributing to the Strategic Infrastructure leadership team.
• Own and deliver revenue budgets and capital programme, including income targets and robust governance.
• Ensure statutory and regulatory compliance across Highways, including the Street works Permit Scheme and DfT legislation.
• Oversee highways input to major developments and planning applications, ensuring impacts are assessed and consultations handled proactively.
• Provide expert advice to elected members and senior leaders on highways legislation, policy, strategy and funding.
• Lead delivery of the Highways Infrastructure Asset Management Plan, championing innovation and best practice.
• Represent our client regionally and build strong partnerships to influence policy and coordinate delivery.
• Support economic growth, safer roads, active travel, air quality, congestion reduction and inequality objectives through effective highway management.

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Civil Engineering or Transport Planning) or equivalent experience.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes
• Chartered Engineer status or relevant professional qualification, or equivalent experience.

Experience and Skills

• Senior-level leadership experience in engineering/highways/transport services.
• Proven management of revenue/capital budgets and income targets.
• Experience advising and briefing elected members in a political environment.
• Strong knowledge of highways management, legislation, strategy and policy.
• Excellent influencing, negotiation, communication and consultation skills.
• Customer-focused with experience engaging the public.
• IT-literate (Microsoft Office) and skilled in stakeholder/partner relationship management