Infrastructure Schemes Project Lead in Ipswich

Suffolk County Council Address: Phoenix House, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 5NP - Hybrid

Salary: £40,777 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Hours: 37 hours per week - Flexible working options available

Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. We're not just a local authority; we're a team of dedicated individuals working together to improve lives across our diverse communities. As our new Infrastructure Scheme Project Leads, you'll have the unique opportunity to see the direct impact of your work on the people and places that make Suffolk special. Your contributions will help build a brighter future for all. If you're passionate about making a real, tangible difference, it's time to reimagine your career with us.

Your role and responsibilities:

• Reporting to the Infrastructure Schemes Project Manager, you will support the cost-effective delivery and construction of sustainable transport schemes and programmes across Suffolk.
• We are recruiting to two Infrastructure Scheme Project Lead positions, each responsible for managing a distinct portfolio of infrastructure projects:
• Post 1: Infrastructure Scheme Project Lead (Major Works) - Delivery of schemes with a typical value of more than £1 million. Projects will typically include Active Travel schemes and other significant highway improvement projects.
• Post 2: Infrastructure Scheme Project Lead (Minor Works) - Delivery of schemes with a typical value of less than £1 million. Projects will typically include Section 106-funded schemes, Active Travel schemes and other highway improvement projects.
• In both roles, you will:
• Ensure a fully integrated scheme delivery throughout design and construction, maintain an independent supervision role on behalf of the County Council ensuring highway works are constructed in accordance with designs and standards and to ensure all stakeholders are kept informed.
• Work closely with a range of stakeholders through all investigation and design phases to implementation on the ground. This will entail carrying out investigations, feasibility, preliminary and detailed design for various highway improvement and maintenance schemes internal for and external works commissioners, including ‘ECI’ engagement and Community Engagement/Consultation activities.
• Promote appropriate culture and behaviours and embed these in a customer focused team that establishes and maintains strong and effective relationships with a broad and diverse range of stakeholders.

You will need:

• Level 5 qualification (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering or significant relevant experience in the design of highway maintenance and improvement schemes.
• Working towards Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status.
• An appropriate and valid Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.
• Preferably hold NEBOSH or IOSH qualifications for managing health and safety.
• Experience of successfully managing a range of complex projects in highways engineering, highways design or similar technical disciplines.
• Technical knowledge and awareness of highways design and maintenance techniques, including the appropriate application of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.
• Good understanding of relevant health and safety legislation and codes of practice (including the CDM Regulations 2015).

The team:

Suffolk Highways is a collaboration between Suffolk County Council and private sector service provider(s) to meet the primary objective of maintaining roads and delivering new highway infrastructure in Suffolk.

Empowering Everyone:

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information:

Please contact Julia Procter for a casual conversation. You can reach Julia by calling 01473 260413 or emailing Julia.Procter@Suffolkhighways.org

How to apply:

• Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx).
• Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
• Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement explaining how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the role. Please refer to the Job and Person Profile and provide specific examples that demonstrate your suitability for the position. You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word). Please use Arial font size 11 and keep your statement to a maximum of 750 words.
• Step 4 - Upload a CV (Curriculum Vitae) (without name and personal details). Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 22 September 2026.

Please note: As part of the interview candidates will be required to deliver a 15-minute presentation, the presentation topic will be provided a minimum of one week ahead of the interview date. The interview is likely to be 1.5hrs in duration which will cover time for the presentation and 5 minutes of questions on this topic, followed by a set of questions related to the role as part of a standard interview process.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.