Permit & Performance Lead in Portsmouth

United Infrastructure is a dynamic and rapidly expanding business, focused on delivering critical infrastructure projects across the utility and social infrastructure sectors. Our team of highly skilled and hardworking specialists deliver innovative solutions to the complex challenges our clients face.

Utility Infrastructure – Our team of Utility Infrastructure specialists design, build and maintain critical water, energy (gas), power and telecoms infrastructure for the UK’s largest network owners and operators.

Social Infrastructure - Our team of Social Infrastructure specialists revitalise homes and communities by carrying out a wide range of work, from retrofit to refurbishment, and maintenance.

Equal Opportunities Statement - At United Infrastructure, we are committed to making every interaction a positive and inclusive experience. If there is anything we can do to support you, remove barriers, or make the process more accessible, please let us know — we want this to be the best possible experience for you.

The Permit and Performance Lead is responsible for managing all aspects of highways and street works permits to ensure our projects are delivered compliantly, efficiently, and without disruption. The role is key to maintaining strong working relationships with Highway Authorities (HA), preventing fines, avoiding overruns, and supporting safe and well‐planned delivery of works.

This role plays a critical part in protecting the business from Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs), Section 74 charges, and reputational risk.

Key Responsibilities

• Permits & Compliance
  • Prepare, submit, manage and close all street works and highway permits in line with:
  • NRSWA
  • Traffic Management Act
  • Local Authority Permit Schemes
  • Ensure permits are accurate, timely, and compliant to avoid rejections, fines, or delays.
  • Manage permit variations, extensions, suspensions and overruns.
• Coordination & Planning
  • Coordinate works with internal teams, contractors and planners to ensure permits align with delivery programmes.
  • Monitor start/stop notices and ensure works are completed within permitted durations.
  • Identify and resolve clashes, constraints or risks early.
• Highway Authority Liaison
  • Act as the primary point of contact with Highway Authorities.
  • Build and maintain positive relationships with HA teams to support smooth approvals.
  • Respond to queries, challenges and notifications professionally and promptly.
• Risk & Cost Control
  • Proactively manage risk of:
  • Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs)
  • Section 74 charges
  • Permit non‐compliance
  • Track permit performance, infringements and costs.
  • Support continuous improvement to reduce avoidable fines and overruns.
• Reporting & Administration
  • Maintain accurate records of permits, notices and approvals.
  • Produce regular reports on compliance, performance and risks.
  • Support audits and contract reporting requirements where needed.

Essential

• Experience in a permit, street works or highways coordination role.
• Good working knowledge of:
• NRSWA
• Traffic Management Act
• Local Authority permit processes
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Confident communicator, able to work effectively with HAs and internal teams.
• Comfortable working in a fast‐paced, compliance‐driven environment.

Desirable

• Experience in utilities or water infrastructure.
• Familiarity with permit systems such as Street Manager.
• Understanding of traffic management requirements.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and solutions‐focused
• Calm under pressure
• Commercially aware
• Collaborative and relationship‐driven

Join us at United Infrastructure and be part of our mission to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to the complex infrastructure needs of the UK.