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- Tasks: Manage highway maintenance contracts and ensure safe road networks for North Northamptonshire.
- Company: Join North Northamptonshire Council, a forward-thinking local authority.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your engineering skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in highways engineering and contract management required.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join our journey, make a difference! Our Highways and Transport team are responsible for the provision of statutory highway services that all residents of North Northamptonshire use. The team helps provide a safe road network that operates efficiently and effectively.
The Highways Contract team manages the highway maintenance contract covering all aspects of highway maintenance and improvement works. The work is delivered by Kier, the service provider for the Council, and covers roads, footways, structures, drainage, routine and cyclical maintenance, traffic signals, signs and road markings, major schemes and local improvement schemes funded through the Integrated Transport budget. The team also oversees the delivery of highway professional services delivered by Kier including safety inspections, asset management, traffic and road safety design and public rights of way works.
The post holder will have direct responsibility for a small team managing the delivery of this work including procuring the work, quality checks, approval of payment, dealing with complaints and enquiries, insurance claims and attending formal contract meetings.
What will you be doing?
- Support the Service Manager role (as defined in the NEC4 Term Service Contract form) who manages all aspects of Highways Service delivery included in the Highways Services contract.
- Provide support to the Service Manager managing the highways maintenance budget.
- Directly manage the team responsible for Contract Inspection.
- Support the Service Manager in managing all aspects of Highways Service delivery, including ensuring that:
- Client-side activities meet both the spirit and requirements of the Contract and its associated Scope and Specification.
- Key instructions, task orders and documents are passed to the Contractor to allow them to fulfil their responsibilities effectively.
- Contractor activities and behaviours reflect those articulated in the Highways Contract and its associated Scope and Specification.
- Contractor commitments (in their Contract bid submission) are captured and agreed in the Annual and Forward Plans, are inspected and monitored (to ensure adherence), and reported in a manner that aligns with the Contract performance regime.
- The information and reporting needs of the three tiers of Contract governance (Strategic Board, Operational Board and Delivery Group) are met throughout the life of the contract.
About You
You will be an experienced highways engineer with specific knowledge of highway maintenance techniques and solutions. We are looking for significant experience in managing a complex NEC4 contract with a particular emphasis on ensuring the Council obtains value for money and achieves the best outcomes by working with the service provider to develop maintenance strategies that enhance the safety and condition of the highway network for all user groups. Budget control and general financial management skills are also required. A customer-focused outlook is essential in meeting 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.
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!
- 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 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.
Disability Confident Employer
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.
Our Employment and Disability Service provides bespoke support to individuals facing barriers to employment, helping them work towards their goals to start, stay and succeed in employment.
Armed Forces Community
The council obtained the Gold status award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).
Highways Contract Engineer employer: North Northamptonshire Council
Contact Detail:
North Northamptonshire Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Highways Contract Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, join local engineering meetups, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how they align with your experience in highways engineering. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable discussing your experience with NEC4 contracts and budget management. The more you rehearse, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged in their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Highways Contract Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with NEC4 contracts and highway maintenance. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Customer Focus: Since this role is all about serving the residents of North Northamptonshire, emphasise your customer service skills. Share examples of how you've positively engaged with communities or resolved issues in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at North Northamptonshire Council
✨Know Your Highways Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of highway maintenance techniques and NEC4 contracts. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your understanding of these areas, as they are crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Budget Management Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience with budget control and financial management. Have examples ready that illustrate how you've successfully managed budgets in previous roles, especially in relation to achieving value for money.
✨Emphasise Customer Focus
Since the role involves engaging with residents and local councils, be prepared to share instances where you've provided excellent customer service. Highlight how you've addressed concerns and built positive relationships with stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership
As you'll be managing a small team, think of examples that showcase your leadership skills. Discuss how you've motivated your team, handled conflicts, or improved team performance in past positions.
