Head Of Highways & Transport

We are working with a London borough looking to appoint an experienced Interim Head of Transport and Highways.

The service is entering a full restructure. The organisational design has been completed, but the council now needs a strong interim leader to deliver the new structure, guide the team through the changes and ensure the service remains focused throughout the transition.

There are also a number of contractor and contract management issues within highways that require immediate attention. The successful candidate will need to get underneath the current arrangements quickly, strengthen performance management and hold contractors properly to account.

The role leads a team of more than 30 people across highways and strategic transport. Alongside the operational challenges, there is a significant strategic element involving close working with TfL, central government, elected Members and wider partners.

Key priorities will include:

• Delivering the highways and transport restructure
• Providing visible and effective leadership to a team of 30+
• Addressing contractor performance and wider contract management issues
• Strengthening governance, accountability and service performance
• Overseeing highways, network and asset management responsibilities
• Leading the council’s strategic transport agenda
• Managing relationships with TfL, central government and external partners
• Providing clear professional advice to senior officers and elected Members
• Maintaining effective control of budgets, programmes, risk and statutory responsibilities

We are looking for an established highways and transport leader with substantial local authority experience. You must have a strong track record of managing highways services, complex contracts and contractors, alongside experience of delivering a significant restructure or service transformation.

London borough experience and a strong understanding of the relationship between boroughs and TfL will be highly desirable.