Head of Highways and Transportation

As the Head of Highways and Transportation, you will be a key member of the Director of Operations Senior Management Team.
The Head of Highways and Transportation will collaborate with colleagues in the Operations Department and engage with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high-performing services aligned with the Council's vision, priorities, and pledges.
The Head of Highways and Transportation will oversee the strategic and operational management of all Highways and Transportation operations, ensuring the service meets national and local priorities in a customer-focused and efficient manner.
As the lead advisor to the Council on Highways and Transportation services, you will cover Highways Asset Management and maintenance, Traffic Management, Transportation, and parking services.
The Head of Highways and Transportation role includes significantly raising standards across the Highways and Transportation portfolio, contributing to improved outcomes across all aspects of the service.
Additionally, you will ensure our services support the Council's emerging new ways of locality working.
The Head of Highways and Transportation will also establish and maintain strong links with Planning Services to ensure that transportation considerations are fully integrated into the planning and development process.
This collaboration is crucial for creating sustainable and well-coordinated infrastructure projects that meet the needs of the growing community.
On a day-to-day basis, you will be "hands-on", leading a team of professionals responsible for all elements of the Council's Highways and Transportation functions.
You are specifically accountable for all service elements.
Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will provide clear leadership and support to your teams, fostering a culture of operational excellence.
You will focus on innovative ways of working that enhance the service and reputation of the Council, ensuring our residents remain at the heart of everything we do.
The Head of Highways and Transportation will manage an annual budget of approximately 30 million (capital/revenue) and provide leadership and direction to your staff.
Your expertise in compliance will be crucial in leading the statutory and regulatory requirements across strategic highways, transportation, maintenance, and planned works, ensuring safe operations.
You will share knowledge and best practices, providing data and insights to foster a culture of compliance and adherence to statutory standards.
Key Accountabilities:
Provide strategic leadership and management for a portfolio of transport services aligned with Council priorities and financial targets.
Develop and implement a coordinated strategic infrastructure delivery strategy, integrating all Council areas into long-term planning.
Lead statutory and regulatory activities to maintain a safe, efficient, and effective transport network, ensuring compliance with policies and legislation.
Ensure the service contributes to Council priorities and pledges, embedding the Council's culture, behaviours, and values.
Provide expert technical advice on highways, transportation, and flood management to planning applications and development proposals.
Simplify complex legislation and provide strategic advice to senior leaders, including Elected Members, the Chief Executive, and the Corporate Leadership Team.
Manage and deliver the Council's statutory compliance across Highways and Transportation services, incorporating performance monitoring and robust action plans.
Full description available.
QualificationsEducated to degree level or equivalent qualification with considerable relevant senior management experience in an appropriate related Highways and transportation setting.
Membership of, or eligibility for membership of, a relevant professional body such as ICE, CIHT, IHE or equivalent knowledge and practice gained through experienceManagement qualificationEvidence of continuing professional development, leadership and personalCompetent working knowledge of Prince 2 Practioner or knowledge of "programme and project management techniques" within a similar digital environment Decision MakingThe postholder has delegation of powers as head of Highways and Transportation services to make significant, complex, decisions and must be aware to manage corporate risks.
The postholder must take effective decisions quickly and act on their own initiative in order to resolve problems.
Effective delegation across the team will be essential to empowering the team to provide efficent customer focused services.
The postholder must be able to quickly get to the heart of issues and accurately assess and manage riskThe postholder must shows creativity in using intellectual capital and resources to deliver cost effective service.
The postholder will be accountable for the successful operational delivery of the services and by extension to cross council transformational priorities.
Through developing and reviewing Highways and Transportation strategies, the postholder must ensure decisions taken are based on clearly defined needs of the council (and our wider community) ensuring both short, mid and long term requirements are planned for.
Creativity and InnovationConstantly reviews ways of working and identifies opportunities to improve the quality of work of the serviceIdentifies creative solutions to Council-wide issues and takes action to implement themShows creativity in using resources to deliver cost effective services, engaging external experts where relevant, and looking beyond the boundary of current service deliveryContinually identifying, evaluating and implementing innovative new areas of partnership working where it is beneficial to Swindon The Head of Highways and Transportation rate is 55-62ph, contract basisProactive People is an employment agency