Highways Contract & Project Manager

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council; Bournemouth; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in the UK seeks a Project Manager for Highway Improvements to oversee complex highway schemes, ensuring compliance and quality control while engaging stakeholders. Ideal candidates will possess a relevant engineering degree, chartered status, and a problem-solving capability. This role offers excellent growth opportunities and the potential to work partially remotely in a progressive engineering team focused on sustainable infrastructure.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working arrangements

28 Days annual leave increasing to 31 after two years

Professional development support

Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Must have substantial experience delivering highway schemes.
• Ability to supervise site-specific contract delivery teams.
• Advanced knowledge of construction regulations and processes.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with NEC contract requirements.
• Lead delivery of highway engineering schemes.
• Maintain quality and budget control across multiple projects.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Problem-solving

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Education

Degree in engineering or related discipline

Chartered Engineer (ICE/IHE/CIHT)

Project management qualification (APM)

Tools

NEC Project Manager accreditation

Job description

Section : Highway Improvements Team, This role is responsible for the successful delivery of complex highway improvement schemes and supporting the delivery of the wider Highways Improvement Programme. Acting as NEC Project Manager for designated projects, the postholder will ensure compliance with contractual requirements, manage risks, budgets and maintain governance throughout the project lifecycle. The role combines technical, contractual, and leadership expertise to lead construction delivery from early contractor involvement through to project close-down, achieving agreed cost, quality, and time objectives. It also provides programme-level support, ensuring alignment, stage gate compliance, and optimal resource use. Strong stakeholder engagement is essential, with the postholder expected to influence contractors and partners, represent the Council at key meetings, and maintain transparent communication. In addition, the role ensures robust financial and quality control, adherence to legislation and health and safety standards, and accurate record-keeping to support governance and audit requirements. The postholder will also contribute to the development of policies, standards, and methods of working to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with wider Council strategies. You will work alongside a team of skilled and developing technical professionals at various levels, and you'll be expected to offer appropriate guidance and support to them. What will you be doing?

• Ensure highway schemes are delivered in full compliance with NEC contract requirements by managing risks, fulfilling contractual duties, and maintaining governance throughout the lifecycle.
• Engage and influence contractors and stakeholders at all levels through clear communication, collaborative problem-solving, and representation at meetings and consultations to secure buy-in and manage expectations.
• Lead the delivery of complex highway engineering schemes from early contractor involvement to close-down, achieving cost, quality, and time objectives through effective planning and coordination.
• Provide project management support across the Highways Improvement Programme, ensuring alignment, stagegate compliance, and optimal resource use for efficient delivery.
• Maintain quality and budget control across multiple programmes by monitoring budgets, managing performance, and implementing corrective actions to keep projects on track.
• Ensure compliance with legislation, health and safety standards, and Council objectives, embedding best practice and accurate record-keeping to support governance and audit requirements.
• Degree in a relevant engineering discipline or traffic / transportation discipline.
• Chartered Engineer (ICE / IHE / CIHT), Project management qualification (APM), NEC Project manager accreditation or equivalent status.
• Substantial experience and knowledge of how to deliver highway schemes and / or design and construction types.
• Advanced knowledge of theory and practice, including regulations, legislation and processes relating to area of work such as construction, highways or engineering.
• Substantial knowledge of application of contract and project management, including cost and quality control.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of health and safety legislation and its application to engineering, construction, maintenance, and repairs.
• Ability to supervise the site-specific contract delivery teams.
• A proactive, problem-solving approach and strong communication skills
• Ability to plan projects and programmes, including the work of others, such as team members, consultants and contractors.
• Ability to persuade and influence a wide range of internal and stakeholders, and influence teams of technical or professional staff.
• Ability to work from our central offices and project site offices a minimum 2 days a week
• Must be able to travel, using public or other forms of transport where they are viable, or by holding a valid UK driving license with access to own or pool car.

We're looking forward to welcoming new colleagues under this refreshed framework of pay, terms, and conditions. To promote fairness and consistency, all new starters will begin at the bottom of the pay band. This reflects our commitment to equity across the organisation and aligns with the approach taken with existing staff during the transition. While the starting salary is fixed, the role offers excellent scope for growth, meaningful contribution, and being part of a forward‑thinking team.

You can also find out more about the new terms and conditions that we are introducing on our careers site on, 'More than just a job' brochure Seeking Highways Engineering Specialists Are you passionate about shaping the future of infrastructure and delivering projects that make a real difference to communities? We're looking for talented Engineers and have several exciting opportunities to join our Engineering Service and help us build sustainable solutions for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Who are we? We are a progressive engineering team committed to delivering innovative, safe, and sustainable infrastructure. From highway improvements to asset management, our work underpins the everyday lives of thousands of people. Join us and be part of a team that values collaboration, creativity, and professional growth. Transformation and digital ways of working are at the heart of what we do. You will have the opportunity to help shape the future of the Engineering Service within the authority., About BCP Council BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with we…

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Flexible working arrangements to support work‑life balance.
• 28 Days lnnual leave increasing to 31 after two years.
• Remote working for parts of your week.
• Professional development and support in your areas of interest.
• Opportunities to work on projects that shape communities and improve lives.