Location
Westminster

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£74,040 per annum

About the Role
Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes and supporting a diverse and growing population. We are committed to making our borough just and fair, tackling inequalities, and delivering outstanding public services.

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Group Manager - Highways Maintenance to lead our Highways Maintenance service. This senior leadership role is responsible for the strategic management of highways maintenance and asset management across the borough.

You will lead a high-profile service that ensures Southwark’s roads, structures, and public infrastructure are safe, compliant, and well maintained, while meeting statutory duties and supporting wider corporate priorities.

Key responsibilities include leading the highways maintenance service, managing the design, delivery and maintenance of highways infrastructure such as surfacing, drainage, flood alleviation, bridges, river walls, street furniture, winter services, and inspection programmes. You will apply asset management principles to support strategic investment planning, oversee contract management and procurement, and manage revenue, capital and grant-funded budgets.

This role requires close collaboration with senior managers, elected members, contractors, external partners, and professional networks to deliver the council’s ambitions for transport, place, and public service excellence.

Experience
- Significant experience in highways maintenance, asset management or related infrastructure services
- Proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams including people, change and performance management
- Experience contributing to the design, delivery or improvement of highways or public realm schemes
- Strong contract management expertise managing highways term maintenance contracts including performance, quality, safety and commercial controls
- Financial management experience including budget control, governance and resource management within highways, engineering or infrastructure environments
- Practical experience using Microsoft Office and relevant highways or asset management systems

About you
- Strong technical credibility and strategic leadership skills
- Ability to manage complex public sector environments balancing budgets, politics and public expectations
- Commitment to delivering efficient, safe, and compliant highways services aligned with council priorities
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills to work with senior managers, elected members, contractors and external partners

Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent in Civil Engineering or related discipline
- Chartered or incorporated membership of a relevant professional institution, or evidence of working towards this
- Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development relevant to highways maintenance, safety and contract management