Drainage Manager

Title: Drainage Manager
Rate: flexiable - roughly 275 per day (umbrella)
Duration: 3 months rolling contract with possible extension
Location: Huntingdon - Hybrid - This role requires site visits and the ability to travel across the authority's area as needed.

Job Purpose
The Highways Drainage Manager will lead on the development, delivery, and management of proactive and cyclical drainage programmes, ensuring effective investigation and resolution of drainage issues on the highway. The postholder will oversee a team of three technical officers and work collaboratively with the wider Local Maintenance Service, the Flooding Team, and other units as part of a 'one team approach.' This role requires excellent communication, leadership, and performance management skills to ensure the timely response to members and the public in accordance with service level agreements (SLAs).
Key Responsibilities
Drainage Programme Management

• Develop, implement, and oversee proactive and cyclical highways drainage programmes to maintain infrastructure resilience and secure best value for communities.
• Ensure effective and timely investigation and resolution of drainage issues on the highway network.
• Utilise data and asset management systems to prioritise works efficiently.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies, and best practices in highways drainage management.

Team Leadership and Performance Management

• Manage and provide leadership to a team of three technical officers, setting clear objectives and performance expectations.
• Drive high performance through structured, consistent, and clear processes.
• Provide guidance and professional development opportunities for the team to enhance technical expertise and service delivery.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and ensure effective resource allocation within the team.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with the wider Local Maintenance Service to ensure a joined-up approach from the council
• Engage wider teams as part of a 'one team approach' to manage flood risk and drainage challenges effectively.
• Foster strong working relationships with contractors, utility companies, and other relevant stakeholders.

Customer Service and Communication

• Respond to inquiries from elected members and the public in a timely and professional manner, ensuring responses are in line with agreed SLAs.
• Ensure clear, effective, and professional communication in all forms, including written reports, briefings, and stakeholder updates.
• Provide technical advice and support to internal and external stakeholders on drainage-related matters
• Promote and communicate team services and process so that this can be easily understood by customers and colleagues.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with relevant highway and safety regulations and risk management processes in all drainage operations.
• Monitor and evaluate drainage performance, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Support the Head of Local Maintenance in policy development and strategic planning for drainage and highways infrastructure.

Person Specification
Essential Criteria

• Proven experience in highways drainage management, including proactive and reactive maintenance.
• Strong leadership and line management experience, with the ability to motivate and manage a team effectively.
• Must demonstrate strong collaborative approach and demonstrate experience of managing high performing and collaborative teams
• Excellent understanding of highways infrastructure, drainage systems, and relevant legislation.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects efficiently, ensuring timely resolution of drainage issues.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience working collaboratively across teams and organisations.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey technical information clearly to a range of audiences.
• Experience in driving performance improvement through structured processes and continuous improvement initiatives.

Desirable Criteria

• Professional qualification in civil engineering, highways maintenance, or a related discipline.
• Experience working in a local government or public sector environment.
• Knowledge of asset management systems and data-driven decision-making.