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...

Qualifications

• Educated 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 experience
• Management qualification
• Evidence of continuing professional development, leadership and personal
• Competent working knowledge of Prince 2 Practioner or knowledge of 'programme and project
  management techniques' within a similar digital environment
  Decision Making
• The 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 risk
• The 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 Innovation
• Constantly reviews ways of working and identifies opportunities to improve the quality of work
  of the service
• Identifies creative solutions to Council-wide issues and takes action to implement them
• Shows creativity in using resources to deliver cost effective services, engaging external experts
  where relevant, and looking beyond the boundary of current service delivery
• Continually 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 basis

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