Opus People Solutions on behalf of North Northamptonshire Council, are seeking Highways Service Manager to complete a temporary placement for a period of 6 months. You will work 37 hours per week, 3 days working from home and office based 2 negotiable.

You will be responsible for: Highways Contract Management and Commissioning Directorate and Service area: Place and Economy, Highways.
This role requires you to travel independent of public transport in order to attend meetings and site visits across North Northamptonshire, and occasionally across the region it may requires attending meetings outside of normal working hours.
The Highways Delivery team is responsible for providing a safe road network that operates efficiently and effectively, providing strategic direction for the future development of highways assets, public transport, active travel and all road users, being mindful of budget constraints, legislation and the sustainability agenda. The team also fulfils the Council’s duty to ensure the safe travel of eligible students to school.

Principal responsibilities:
1. Lead on discharging the Council’s statutory duties for maintaining the highway.

2. Work with colleagues to effectively manage the Highway Services Contract whilst ensuring a joined-up/co-ordinated client approach to the contract.

3. Fulfill the Service Manager role (as defined in the NEC4 TSC contract form) in respect of managing all aspects of Highways Service delivery included in the Highways Services Contract, including ensuring that:

a. Client-side activities meet both the spirit and requirements of the Contract and its associated Scope and Specification
b. Key instructions, task orders and documents are passed to the Contractor to allow them to fulfil their responsibilities effectively
c. Contractor activities and behaviours reflect those articulated in the Highways Contract and its associated Scope and Specification
d. Contractor commitments (in their Contract bid submission) are captured and agreed in the Annual and Forward Plans, are inspected and monitored (to ensure adherence), and reported in a manner that aligns with the Contract performance regime
e. The information and reporting needs of the three tiers of Contract governance (Strategic Board, Operational Board and Delivery Group) are met throughout the life of the contract

4. Develop positive working relationship with the contractor to resolve issues as they arise in the interests of the residents and communities of North Northamptonshire.
5. Provide advice and information to elected members, to Executive, to Scrutiny Committees, and the Corporate Leadership Team of the Council in order to ensure that informed decisions are made which enable the Council to achieve its strategic priorities and objectives whilst complying with its statutory obligation, and relevant decision makers are aware of the performance of the Contract.
6. Monitor and manage the budgets, performance and risks related to the service, including accurate estimating, forecasting and out-turns against agreed budgets. Mitigate overspends to remain within allocated budgets and seek best value in accordance with the Council’s financial regulations.
7. Through the work of the team, provide a high standard of customer service to the Council’s elected Members, MPs Parish and Town Councils and residents in accordance with corporate requirements. Lead the team in adopting a proactive and constructive approach to engaging positively with local Members, communities and residents to address their concerns and issues.
8. Manage the teams responsible for Highways Business Improvement, Community Liaison, Contract Inspection and Monitoring and the management of other contracts relating directly to Highways provision.
9. Liaise with colleagues in Highways and Transport – and in other Place and Economy Services as appropriate – regarding Highways issues relevant to the Contract.

General responsibilities applicable to all jobs:
1. Demonstrate awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and other people’s behavioural, physical, social and welfare needs.
2. Comply with the Council’s policies and procedures including (but not limited to) safeguarding, financial regulations, promotion of equalities, customer care, agreed audit actions and health and safety (ensuring that reasonable care is taken at all times for the health, safety and welfare of yourself and other persons).
3. Carry out any other duties which fall within the broad spirit, scope and purpose of this job description and which are commensurate with the grade of the post.
4. Ensure that reasonable care is always taken for the health, safety and welfare of yourself and other persons, and to comply with the policies and procedures relating to health and safety within the department.

Education, Qualification andxperience and Knowledge required:
Educated to degree-level or equivalent by experience e.g. civil engineering

  • Experience of working in an NEC4 TSC contract environment (or similar)
  • Sound understanding of English local authorities’ statutory Highways Duties
  • Good understanding of the performance and commercial considerations in larger service contracts
  • Experience of infrastructure contract management
  • Experience of working in or with Highways term service contracts
  • Excellent knowledge of current and emerging highways maintenance practices
  • Understanding of Social Value and Climate Change and Environment expectation