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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in managing highway services and improving road networks.
- Company: Join North Northamptonshire Council, dedicated to enhancing local infrastructure and community well-being.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid work options, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local communities while shaping the future of highway services.
- Qualifications: Experience in highways management, contract management, and strong stakeholder relationship skills required.
- Other info: We value diversity and are committed to inclusive hiring practices.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
About the role
Join our journey, make a difference!
We have an exciting opportunity for a driven and self-motivated Highways Manager, to join our Highways Delivery Service at North Northamptonshire Council. The team oversees and manages our Highway Term Maintenance Contract and its Street Lighting PFI, as well as delivering wider highway services, including network/traffic management, highway regulations, and customer liaison.
The Highways team provides a wide range of statutory services that all residents of North Northamptonshire use. The team is responsible for providing a safe road network that operates efficiently and effectively, providing strategic direction for the future development of highways assets, public transport, active travel, and all road users, being mindful of budget constraints, legislation, and the sustainability agenda.
This is a key role within the Council\’s Highway Services. The new Unitary Authority was formed in 2021 and the Term Maintenance Service started in 2022. As such, there are real opportunities to help shape and develop Council services in order to deliver efficiencies, best value, and excellence.
What will you be doing?
Reporting to the Head of Highways Delivery, this is an opportunity to make a real difference in a civil engineering environment. The role involves leading a multi-discipline team of highway professionals, delivering and continuously improving a wide range of highway services within a Unitary Authority environment. You will work closely with our Term Maintenance Contract partners and will be responsible for building strong relationships with elected members, wider Council service areas, other stakeholders, and local groups around North Northamptonshire.
As part of the Highways senior management team, you will have input into the overall management and development of the highway maintenance contract, the implementation of highway strategies and policies as well as reviewing any proposed Departures from Standard on highway schemes and signing of delegated decision reports in relation to Traffic Regulation Orders.
About you
You will be an experienced highways manager with specific knowledge of highways maintenance and management, with an understanding of the associated legislation such as New Roads and Street Works Act, Highways Act, Traffic Management Act, etc.; highways maintenance and design techniques; network coordination solutions, as well as the regulation, licensing, and Definitive Map and highway searches and records functions.
Working with Councillors, Parish, and Town Councils will be part of your experience to facilitate working with them via the Community Liaison team, in order to resolve problems and to develop and deliver local improvement schemes.
Your management skills will enable you to develop services in this field, along with having excellent budget control and general financial & commercial management skills. Furthermore, you will ensure that the Highways service has a commercially astute client team that is continually upskilled.
You will also possess a customer-focused outlook to meet the needs and demands of the residents of North Northamptonshire as well as experience of dealing with Councillors and external organisations at a high level.
- Experience and qualification(s) in a highways/civil engineering/a contract management discipline
- Experience of managing a New Engineering Contract (NEC)
- Experience of managing high-performing teams
- Understanding of local government and the civil engineering sector
- Experience in preparing and presenting reports on all aspects of the service to Councillors, senior officers, and in public meetings.
- An ability to create relationships across a diverse stakeholder base to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Our benefits
Here at North Northamptonshire Council, we’re transforming for the better, using all our creativity and imagination to create the best life for our local people.
You’ll find that we have a wide range of careers that may be more surprising than you think!
Why choose us?
- a competitive salary
- a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
- lots of opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge, and potential in a large unitary council
- generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
- hybrid and flexible working arrangements, where practicable for service needs to help you with a healthy work-life balance.
We provide a range of great benefits such as an Employee Assistance Programme, an Employee Benefits Scheme, wellbeing support, travel rates at HMRC rates, as well as supporting a range of active Employee Network Groups.
About us
Our Values and Behaviours
Our values define who we are and how we operate, by forming the foundation for how we interact with our customers, colleagues, and provide our services. They are also at the forefront of our decision-making and delivery and are:
- Customer-focused
- Respectful
- Efficient
- Supportive
- Trustworthy
Our Key Commitments
Our key commitments help ensure that the priorities we make, now and in the future, maintain the necessary breadth of focus in those areas that we believe matter most.
We are proud to be a recognised Disability Confident Employer and are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role.
North Northamptonshire Council re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant in June 2024 which highlights the Council’s pledge to support the Armed Forces community. The council obtained the silver status award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) and we are now currently working towards achieving Gold status.
We aim to be a carbon-neutral Council by 2030.
Further information can be found at Jobs and careers | North Northamptonshire Council (northnorthants.gov.uk)
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Group Manager Highways (Contracts and Commissioning) employer: North Northamptonshire Council
Contact Detail:
North Northamptonshire Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Manager Highways (Contracts and Commissioning)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the specific legislation mentioned in the job description, such as the New Roads and Street Works Act and the Highways Act. This knowledge will not only help you understand the role better but also demonstrate your expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the highways and civil engineering sectors, especially those who have experience working with local councils. Building these connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing high-performing teams and your approach to budget control. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led projects or initiatives in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Research North Northamptonshire Council's recent initiatives and projects related to highways services. Being informed about their current challenges and successes will allow you to tailor your conversation and show your genuine interest in contributing to their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Group Manager Highways (Contracts and Commissioning)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills for the Group Manager Highways position, as this will help you tailor your application effectively.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your experience in highways management, civil engineering, and contract management. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your management skills, budget control experience, and ability to work with diverse stakeholders. Use examples that demonstrate your customer-focused approach and your ability to develop services in the highways sector.
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Craft a personalized cover letter that reflects your understanding of North Northamptonshire Council's values and commitments. Mention how your background aligns with their goals, particularly in terms of sustainability and community engagement.
How to prepare for a job interview at North Northamptonshire Council
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the key responsibilities of a Group Manager in Highways. Familiarize yourself with the specific legislation mentioned in the job description, such as the New Roads and Street Works Act and the Highways Act, as these will likely come up during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in leading multi-discipline teams. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed teams in a civil engineering environment, focusing on how you foster collaboration and drive performance.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement Experience
Since building relationships with Councillors and local groups is crucial, share examples of how you've effectively engaged with diverse stakeholders. Discuss any challenges you faced and how you overcame them to achieve positive outcomes.
✨Prepare for Financial Management Questions
Given the emphasis on budget control and financial management, be ready to discuss your experience in managing budgets. Prepare to explain how you've ensured financial efficiency in previous roles and how you plan to apply those skills in this position.
