Highway Asset Manager

Matchtech; England; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Senior leadership role

Strategic investment planning

Public sector environment

Job summary

Matchtech Group is seeking an experienced Highway Asset Manager to lead the asset management function for a large local authority highway network. This permanent leadership role combines strategic highway asset management with budget, stakeholder and people management responsibilities to keep carriageways, footways and assets safe and resilient.

The role requires guidance across strategies, policies and programmes, delivering value-for-money and continuous improvement in a political,

Qualifications

• Significant experience in highway asset management within a large and complex organisation.
• Experience managing carriageway and footway assets and developing evidence-based maintenance programmes.
• Strong knowledge of asset data, lifecycle planning, investment prioritisation and legislation.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical leadership across the highways asset management service.
• Lead, develop and support a high-performing team of asset management professionals.
• Develop and deliver highway asset management strategies, policies and programmes.
• Lead carriageway and footway investment planning using asset condition data and lifecycle planning.
• Manage significant capital and revenue budgets, supporting financial planning and investment decisions.
• Prepare business cases and whole-life cost models.

Skills

Highway asset management

Budget management

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Data-driven decisions

Job description

Our client is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Highway Asset Manager to lead the asset management function for a large and diverse local authority highway network. This permanent leadership role will combine strategic highway asset management expertise with budgetary, stakeholder and people management responsibilities, helping to ensure carriageway, footway and wider highway assets remain safe, resilient and sustainable.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic and technical leadership across the highways asset management service.
• Lead, develop and support a high-performing team of asset management professionals.
• Develop and deliver highway asset management strategies, policies and programmes.
• Lead carriageway and footway investment planning using asset condition data, lifecycle planning and value-for-money principles.
• Manage significant capital and revenue budgets, supporting effective financial planning and investment decisions.
• Prepare business cases, Medium Term Financial Plan bids and whole-life cost models.
• Provide expert advice to elected members, senior officers and external partners on asset management priorities.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, industry standards, technical requirements and health and safety obligations.
• Monitor programme performance and confirm that maintenance investment delivers agreed outcomes.
• Oversee devolution arrangements, income generation activities and performance reporting.
• Represent the organisation at regional and national forums, promoting innovation and industry best practice.
• Drive continuous improvement across the highways asset management service.

Job Requirements:

• Significant experience in highway asset management within a large and complex organisation.
• Substantial experience managing carriageway and footway assets and developing evidence-based maintenance programmes.
• Strong knowledge of asset data, lifecycle planning, investment prioritisation, maintenance planning and relevant legislation.
• Experience developing long-term highway investment strategies, policies and programmes.
• Proven experience managing substantial budgets and delivering value for money.
• Strong leadership and line management skills, with the ability to develop technical capability within a professional team.
• A sound technical background and the ability to make evidence-led investment decisions.
• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to present complex technical information to elected members, senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Experience operating effectively in a political, public-facing and partnership environment.

Role Benefits:

• Opportunity to influence the future of a significant local authority highway network.
• Senior leadership responsibility across strategic highway asset management.
• Scope to shape long-term investment, maintenance and lifecycle strategies.
• Opportunity to improve road and footway infrastructure for local communities, businesses and road users.
• Professional environment focused on service excellence, innovation and continuous improvement.