Drainage Project Manager (Reactive Maintenance)

The postholder will lead a targeted initiative to address long-standing highway drainage and street cleansing challenges on roads where persistent parking prevents essential maintenance activities from taking place effectively, addressing legacy maintenance issues at difficult-to-access locations through a coordinated, risk-based and data-led approach, working across Highways, Waste Management, Street Lighting, Network Management and stakeholder partners and, may be required to inspect street lights across Manchester as the service transitions contracts.

Working across communities, elected Members, operational services, contractors and key stakeholders, the role will coordinate and deliver solutions that create temporary access arrangements, allowing gully cleansing, street cleansing and associated reactive maintenance activities to be undertaken safely and efficiently.

The role requires strong project management, stakeholder engagement and communication skills to bring together multiple parties, secure community support and ensure maintenance activities are planned and delivered successfully. The postholder will work closely with Highway Operations, Network Management, Waste and Cleansing Services, contractors and local communities to improve service outcomes, reduce maintenance backlogs and improve the condition of the highway network.

Key Responsibilities

Identify locations via internal data where parked vehicles regularly obstruct highway drainage maintenance, gully cleansing and street cleansing activities.

Develop and manage programmes of work to address access issues at these locations through coordinated stakeholder engagement and project delivery. Work directly with residents, community groups, elected Members and other stakeholders to build support for temporary parking restrictions and planned maintenance activities. Coordinate activities across Highway Operations, Network Management, Waste and Cleansing, and other Council services to ensure a joined-up approach.

Liaise with contractors and service providers to programme cleansing and maintenance activities at agreed times, ensuring resources are deployed efficiently. Arrange and coordinate any necessary traffic management, temporary parking restrictions, signing, communications and operational requirements to facilitate access. Lead communications and engagement activities, ensuring residents and businesses are informed of planned works and understand the benefits being delivered. Monitor progress, manage risks and resolve issues that could affect delivery of maintenance programmes. Maintain programme records and provide regular updates to senior management, Members and stakeholders on progress, outcomes and service improvements. Identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce recurring access problems and develop sustainable long-term solutions.

Develop highway asset inventory within Alloy causeway platform which informs internal data and maintenance programmes.

Required Skills and Experience

Proven ability to manage projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. Strong communication and negotiation skills, with experience of working with residents, community groups, Members and contractors. Experience of planning and coordinating operational activities across different services or organisations. Understanding of highway maintenance, drainage operations, traffic management and local authority service delivery. Ability to develop practical solutions to complex operational challenges and deliver measurable improvements. Experience of preparing reports, performance information and business cases.

Asset management experience using platforms such as Alloy Causeway or similar, along with GMRAPS to effectively obtain granted road space underpinned by permitting requirements and traffic management approvals.

Expected Outcomes

Improved access for gully cleansing, street cleansing and other maintenance operations at historically problematic locations. Reduction in drainage-related and street cleaning complaints and maintenance backlogs. More efficient delivery of cleansing and maintenance programmes through improved planning and coordination. Improved engagement and collaboration between residents, Members, contractors and Council services. Sustainable arrangements established at priority locations to support future maintenance activities. Improved highway condition, drainage performance and customer satisfaction.

Hold an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering or MSc discipline or hold a HNC / HND in highway or civil Engineering or be a Chartered or Incorporated Engineering with a relevant institution membership.

Providing programme management and operational oversight for reactive highway maintenance activities across drainage / gullies, street cleansing, pothole repairs, highway repairs, street lighting, structures, network infrastructure.

Develop and deliver integrated maintenance programmes using asset management data coordinating multi-disciplinary maintenance activities, traffic management, TTROs and road space requirements.

Manage contractors, consultants and stakeholders, ensuring delivery against agreed standards, budgets and timescales.

Monitor programme performance, maintain governance records and provide reports to senior management.

Produce business cases, delivery plans, risk registers and resource plans.

Ensure compliance with CDM, health and safety legislation, highway maintenance standards and procurement requirements and the Highways Act.

Support customer engagement, communications and resolution of enquiries and complaints.

Supporting the Street Lighting team as and when required where capacity exists with site inspections across Manchester (fall back work if applicable).

Proven experience in highways, local authority or similar infrastructure environments in a similar roles within a highway maintenance / drainage background.

Strong asset management, programme management and contract administration expertise underpinned from effective communication styles.

Experience managing contractors, stakeholders, budgets, risks and procurement activities.

Knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015, health and safety requirements, RAMS reviews and highway maintenance legislation.

Ability to oversee projects from concept through to completion, including minor outline designs, scopes across delivery and performance management.

This is an excellent opportunity for a highway drainage or reactive maintenance professional to deliver visible improvements across Manchester's communities, reduce flooding and cleansing risks, and improve the efficiency of essential highway services. Apply now to contribute to a significant highways improvement programme