Highways Supervisor in London

The role sits within Resident Services. The Highways Section is responsible for all aspects of routine and non-routine maintenance and installation works carried out by the section on the boroughs' road networks.

Objective of role

• You will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Highways Section, including full line management responsibility for the workforce.
• You will support management in representing the BSP (Better Service Partnership) and liaising with external organisations, while ensuring that Members' queries relating to the service are dealt with promptly, professionally, and effectively.
• You will play a key role in providing visible and motivational leadership to staff, promoting a positive and productive working environment, and supporting high standards of performance across the service.
• You will help ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality services to residents and stakeholders.
• You will also undertake other duties as directed by management within the Operational Services Division to help ensure compliance with contractual and statutory obligations.
• You will support the delivery of change programmes across the service and champion the use of digital systems and technology solutions to improve operational management, performance reporting, workforce deployment, and service delivery.
• You will contribute to the ongoing digital transformation of the service, encouraging innovation and continuous improvement in working practices.

About the role

• You will provide effective supervision of operatives, agency staff, and contractors working on behalf of the Highways DSO Section.
• You will be responsible for supervising all aspects of routine and non-routine maintenance and installation works carried out across the boroughs' road networks, ensuring that highway works are completed safely, efficiently, and to the required standards.
• You will authorise expenditure, purchase orders, and resource requirements within delegated limits, while contributing to budget forecasting and financial planning activities.
• You will carry out daily site inspections and checks to ensure works are undertaken safely, efficiently, cost-effectively, and in accordance with agreed specifications.
• You will supervise winter gritting operations and any out-of-hours activities undertaken by operatives, including weekend overtime and emergency response works.
• You will perform all administrative duties associated with works from commencement through to completion, including timesheet approval, measurements, scheduling, permitting, purchase orders, and invoice submission.
• You will ensure that all works carried out by the section comply with the requirements of the New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA) 1991, the London Permit Scheme (LoPS), and any other relevant legislation, standards, and codes of practice.
• You will ensure compliance with all relevant Health and Safety legislation, Council policies, procedures, and safe systems of work.
• You will assist management in ensuring that Members' enquiries and queries regarding service delivery are responded to promptly, professionally, and effectively.
• You will support the delivery of a high-quality, customer-focused highways service through effective workforce management, operational planning, and performance monitoring.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Qualifications: valid driving licence, NRSWA supervisory Level, Winter gritting supervisory level or obtain within 6 months of starting role.
• Experience: Proven experience in effective control and discipline of the workforce and instigating the Council's Codes of Conduct and Performance as necessary; experience of managing, motivating and developing staff to achieve high productivity and effective standards of service; experience in carrying out Risk Assessments and implementing relevant recommendations; experience in managing and/or assisting with daytime and out of hours emergency situations and winter maintenance procedures.
• Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of Highways reactive roadworks; extensive knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety Legislation and requirements in connection with works on the highway; extensive knowledge and understanding of the New Roads and Street Works Act and where it applies to the role of the section.
• Communication Skills: Effective oral, written and presentation skills to provide clear and concise communications and reports in a variety of internal and external contexts; significant experience of using standard IT packages to an advanced level as required for the role. This may include report writing (Word), presentations (PowerPoint) and manipulating statistical data.
• Ability to provide advice and guidance to both staff and clients in relation to highways works.

Closing Date: 27 September 2026

Shortlisting Date: W/C 28th September 2026

Interview Date: W/C 5th October 2026

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.