Head of Highways

North East Mayoral Combined Authority (NECA); Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional authority in the UK is seeking a Head of Highways to provide strategic leadership for transport initiatives. This role involves overseeing complex programmes and fostering partnerships with local authorities and national bodies to enhance the highways network across the North East. Ideal candidates will have strong strategic insight and experience in managing large-scale transportation priorities. This opportunity plays a pivotal role in shaping the region's infrastructure to support inclusive growth and sustainability.

Qualifications

• Strong strategic insight and the ability to forge effective partnerships.
• Experience in leading, shaping and delivering large-scale transportation/highways programmes.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance and leadership for highways programmes.
• Shape how the North East plans, funds, and delivers highways priorities.
• Work with various stakeholders to align highways initiatives with strategic priorities.
• Build and lead a high-performing team to support regional growth and decarbonisation.

Skills

Strategic insight

Partnership building

Leadership

Transportation programme management

Job description

Overview

Lead the Future of Highways in the North East!

We are seeking an exceptional leader to fill the Head of Highways position at the North East Combined Authority. This is a unique opportunity to take on a region-wide strategic leadership role, you will play a pivotal part in driving innovation and excellence, aligning our highways function with the North East CA’s strategic priorities and vision.

As Head of Highways, you will provide expert guidance and leadership, overseeing complex programmes, co-ordinating activities and managing resources to deliver value for money. Working closely with senior leaders, local authorities, and national partners, you will shape how the North East plans, funds, and delivers its highways priorities, ensuring the region’s highways network is safe, resilient and meets the needs of our communities, businesses and economy.

This role demands a forward-thinking professional with strong strategic insight and the ability to forge effective partnerships. You will build and lead a high-performing team, champion continuous improvement, and drive collaborative workstreams to create a safer, more resilient, better-connected network that supports inclusive growth, decarbonisation and regional prosperity.

If you are passionate about shaping the future of transport and making a lasting impact on the region, we want to hear from you.

We are proud to be an inclusive employer, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and experiences. We particularly encourage applications from candidates who are underrepresented in senior roles, including women, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance and leadership for highways programmes, overseeing complex programmes, coordinating activities and managing resources to deliver value for money.
• Shape how the North East plans, funds, and delivers highways priorities, ensuring the region’s highways network is safe and resilient.
• Work with senior leaders, local authorities, and national partners to align highways initiatives with strategic priorities and vision.
• Build and lead a high-performing team, champion continuous improvement, and drive collaborative workstreams to support inclusive growth, decarbonisation and regional prosperity.

Qualifications / What we’re looking for

• Forward-thinking professional with strong strategic insight and the ability to forge effective partnerships.
• Experience in leading, shaping and delivering large-scale transportation/highways priorities and programmes.

How to apply

If you would like an informal discussion, or further information about this role please contact:

Jonathan Bailes, Assistant Director of Transport Programmes and Investment Planning by email: [e-mail]

Applications are being managed through North East Jobs, please click on the link provided in this job posting.

Closing date

Closing date for applications: 20th February 2026 at 23:59.

For further information about the North East Combined Authority please see the authority’s website www.northeast-ca.gov.uk