Head of Highways Services

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About Us
At North Somerset Council, we are dedicated to delivering high-quality services that enhance the lives of our residents. We are committed to creating a fairer, greener, and more inclusive environment, where everyone benefits from sustainable growth and innovative solutions. If you're looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to join us.

The Role
We are seeking an experienced and inspirational highways professional to lead our Highways Service. This is a pivotal role in ensuring our network remains high-performing, responsive, and safe while supporting sustainable transport choices, minimising disruption, and delivering excellent value for money.

Following a recent restructure, we have created a new Head of Service role to provide additional senior management capacity. As part of the Environment, Assets, and Transport Directorate, you will report to the Director and sit on the Directorate Leadership Team, playing a key role in shaping the future of North Somersets infrastructure.

You will lead teams responsible for managing, maintaining, and improving our highways network. As the Councils principal technical advisor on highways, you will develop strategies and policies while ensuring our construction, maintenance, and improvement programmes are delivered efficiently. Your role will also involve identifying opportunities for innovation and leading them from business case development through to delivery.

In addition to overseeing a team of circa 100 staff, you will manage a gross service budget of approximately 14.8m (including 7.7m gross revenue and 7.1m capital). Your remit will span diverse projects, from town centre regeneration and active travel infrastructure to EV charging expansion and routine maintenance activities such as gully cleaning and pothole repairs.

Key Responsibilities
In this role, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership for all aspects of highway management, ensuring high standards of performance, safety, and service delivery.
• Develop and implement policies and strategies to support sustainable transport, infrastructure resilience, and environmental goals.
• Oversee the effective management of highways assets, including roads, footways, structures, parking services, street lighting, and streetworks.
• Manage complex capital and revenue programmes, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Engage with key stakeholders, including local, regional, and national partners, to influence and deliver ambitious transport and infrastructure plans.
• Act as the Councils principal advisor on highways matters, ensuring technical excellence and compliance with regulations.
• Oversee the commissioning and performance of our highways delivery model, including working with our arms-length company, NSEC.

Work Style
We offer a hybrid working environment tailored to the role and personal circumstances. As a Flexible Worker, you can expect to:

• Work 2-3 days in the office, balancing remote and in-office work as needed.
• Receive support and training to manage your time effectively and collaborate with your team.
• Have the option to spend additional time in the office if preferred.

About You
We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a proven track record in delivering operational highways services, including construction and maintenance programmes. You will be passionate about improving transport infrastructure and have the skills to lead large-scale projects and drive strategic change.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Civil Engineering, Transport Planning) and Chartered Engineer or equivalent professional qualification.
• Extensive experience in managing large and complex highways and infrastructure projects, including budget and financial oversight.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience of managing multi-disciplinary teams in a fast-paced environment.
• A strategic thinker with the ability to influence and build strong relationships across political, regional, and national levels.
• In-depth knowledge of highways legislation, best practices, and health and safety regulations.
• Experience of delivering high-profile transport infrastructure projects that support economic growth and sustainability.

For further details, please refer to the job description and person specification.

Join us and shape the future of North Somersets highways network!

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment.

We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet .

How to Apply

If you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Lucy Shomali, Director of Environment, Assets and Transport Services, at lucy.shomali@n-somerset.gov.uk .

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: Week commencing 03 rd March 2025.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.