Assistant Director Highways Delivery

Define our Future and Yours!

Are you ready to take your career in highways management to the next level? Do you have the passion, drive, and strategic vision to lead a dynamic team towards delivering outstanding highway services for Derbyshire County Council? If so, we want to hear from you!

Derbyshire County Council is seeking an exceptional individual to fill the role of Assistant Director - Highways Delivery. As a key member of our Highways team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our highways services, ensuring they align with our long-term vision and deliver exceptional results for our community.

About the Role: We are seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to join our team as the Assistant Director of Highways Delivery. This pivotal role requires a strategic visionary who can drive the integration, accountability, and collaboration of all delivery service areas within the Highways Service. You will support the Highways Director in ensuring that our statutory responsibilities are met and that our services align with the Council's long-term vision. Your leadership will promote a culture of performance management, delivering high-quality, high-performing, and value-for-money services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Assist the Highways Director in the strategic leadership of Highways Delivery Services, ensuring overall effectiveness, driving efficiencies, and aligning with the Future Highways Model transformation agenda.
• Operational Management: Lead the operational service delivery for Highways, overseeing the performance of all Highway delivery services to improve customer service, quality, and efficiency.
• Statutory Compliance: Ensure all statutory responsibilities are met, including maintaining safe, construction-free access under relevant acts and regulations.
• Project Oversight: Manage the delivery of the Capital programme and major projects, ensuring sound financial management and value for money.
• Service Coordination: Develop and deliver strategic plans for highway services, coordinating maintenance, construction, design, traffic and safety, structures, street lighting, and signals functions.
• Emergency Response: Lead the coordination of emergency response plans and act as the tactical lead for the Highways Service through the Local Resilience Forum.
• Performance Management: Drive continuous improvements and transformation of services through effective performance management and change management techniques.
• Partnership Development: Lead the development and management of partnerships with professional services partners to ensure alignment with Council and Service Plans.

Key Relationships:

• Line managed by the Highways Director
• Regular liaison with the Assistant Director Highways Commissioning, Executive Director, and Directors within Place and other departments
• Leadership and management of the Head of Professional Services, Head of Delivery Management, and Head of Highway Operations
• Regular interaction with Elected Members, Trade Unions, external agencies, and key partners

About You:

• Experience: Substantial senior-level managerial experience in Highways & Transport, with significant programme and project management experience. Proven track record in managing large teams and substantial budgets.
• Skills: Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to drive strategic initiatives and manage complex projects. Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Knowledge: Detailed technical knowledge of highway maintenance policies, construction, design, traffic and safety, and related functions. Understanding of health and safety practices and law, including CDM regulations.
• Qualifications: Degree or equivalent professional Civil Engineering qualification, with evidence of continued professional development. Relevant management qualifications and Chartered Engineer status are desirable.

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Work: Play a key role in shaping the future of our highways services and making a tangible difference in our community.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression.
• Collaborative Environment: Work with a dedicated team of professionals committed to excellence and innovation.

What we can offer you:

• 34 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Flexi time, allowing up to an additional 2 days of leave per month
• Training and development opportunities
• Generous local government pension scheme
• Access to a comprehensive wellbeing package
• and much more!

If you are a strategic leader with a passion for highways delivery and a commitment to excellence, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to join our team and help us drive forward our vision for a high-performing, value-for-money highways service.

Make your application today and join us in shaping the future of Highways at Derbyshire County Council!

If you would like to have an informal chat about this role, please contact Julian Gould, Director by email at [email protected]

Interview Dates: January 2025

This post is designated in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 as a Politically Restricted Post. The successful candidate will therefore be disqualified from: (a) Becoming or remaining a Member of a local authority (excluding town or parish councils); or (b) Standing as a candidate for election as a Member of the House of Commons or the European Parliament (c) Acting as an election agent (d) Acting as an official of a political party, (e) Canvassing on behalf of a political party or individual (f) Publishing material or addressing the public in support of a political party.

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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This role currently offers hybrid working options which will be to subject service needs, there'll be an opportunity to discuss working arrangements for this position at interview.