Technical Lead - Highways Development Management

Worcestershire County Council is seeking a dynamic and experienced Technical Lead to join their Highways Development Management team on a contract basis. This role is integral to ensuring the effective delivery of the County Council's statutory role as Highway Authority in relation to planning, development, and infrastructure delivery.

Purpose of Job:

Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Highways Development Management service, ensuring the effective delivery of the County Council's statutory role as Highway Authority in relation to planning, development, and infrastructure delivery.

Lead on the assessment and management of complex, major, and strategic development proposals; secure appropriate highway mitigation and infrastructure through the planning process; manage staff and resources efficiently; and contribute to wider service policy, performance, and transformation objectives.

Main Activities & Responsibilities:

1. Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Provide clear leadership, direction, and management for a Highways Development Management team ensuring delivery of service objectives and statutory obligations.
• Translate service and corporate priorities into operational delivery plans, managing workloads, resources, and performance effectively.
• Act as a senior professional lead on highway development matters, providing assurance on the quality, consistency, and defensibility of advice.
• Oversee the improvement of service delivery and change to provide effective efficiencies in the delivery of the highways development management service.
• Deputise for the Highways Development Management & Control Manager where required on development-related matters.

2. People Management

• Line-manage staff within the section, including recruitment, supervision, appraisal, performance management, and professional development.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performance culture aligned with Worcestershire County Council's values and behaviours.
• Support workforce resilience, succession planning, and skills development.
• Provide leadership through periods of organisational change and transformation, ensuring objectives are achieved while maintaining team performance within a public sector environment.

3. Technical & Professional Accountabilities

• Lead on the highways assessment of major, complex, and strategically significant planning applications and development proposals.
• Oversee and, where necessary, personally manage negotiations with developers, consultants, and planning authorities to secure appropriate highway mitigation.
• Ensure effective use of developer funding and legal mechanisms (including Section 106, Section 278, Community Infrastructure Levy, and related agreements).
• Provide professional advice and evidence by representing the highway authority at planning committees, hearings, appeals, and public inquiries.

4. Policy, Governance & Compliance

• Ensure all advice and decisions comply with relevant legislation, national policy, adopted standards, and local guidance.
• Contribute to the development and review of highways development management policies, procedures, and technical guidance.
• Identify and manage risks associated with development proposals, including legal, financial, safety, and reputational risks.

5. Stakeholder & Partnership Working

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with Worcestershire LPA's, developers, statutory consultees, elected Members, and local communities.
• Represent Worcestershire County Council confidently and professionally in public, political, and multi-agency settings.
• Provide clear, balanced, and timely advice to senior officers and Members.

6. Performance, Finance & Improvement

• Manage resources within delegated budgets, ensuring value for money and effective use of staff and developer contributions.
• Monitor and improve performance against agreed service standards and timescales.
• Lead and support service improvement, innovation, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Support with the development and introduction of Directorate and Corporate initiatives and the management of associated cultural change.
• Work with colleagues in other teams across the Council to assist with the development and monitoring of Directorate and Council systems.
• Take personal responsibility for being aware of relevant key issues including those in the Corporate and Directorate Plans.
• Exercise absolute integrity regarding confidential matters.

Generic Accountabilities:

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to public accountability, transparency, and ethical governance. Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, codes of conduct, and political neutrality obligations.
• Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job and participate in appropriate training activities. Encourage and support staff in their development and training.
• Undertake other duties, training, and/or hours of work as required, which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this job.
• Undertake health and safety duties commensurate with the job and/or as detailed in the Directorate's Health and Safety Policy.
• Promote equality of opportunity, dignity, and due respect for all employees and service users, consistent with the Council's Equality and Diversity Policy.
• Ensure the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English.

If you possess experience in highway development management and seek a challenging and rewarding opportunity, we encourage you to apply now and join Worcestershire County Council's dedicated team.

To apply for these roles, candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK

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