Highways Improvements Manager – Strategic Road Network

Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government; Wales; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension Scheme

31 days annual leave

Hybrid working approach

Job summary

Welsh Government seeks a Highways Improvements Manager to lead the development and delivery of Strategic Road Network improvements across Wales. Based pan-Wales with a flexible, hybrid working pattern, you will collaborate with trunk road agents, Transport for Wales, consultants and local authorities to deliver safe, resilient and sustainable transport.

You will use WelTAG as required, prioritise interventions delivering the greatest public benefit, and manage procurement and governance to

Qualifications

• Requires a recognised engineering professional qualification (e.g. EngTech, IEng, CEng) and active membership of a relevant professional institution (ICE, CIHT, IHT or equivalent).
• Experience leading highway improvement schemes or programmes.
• Experience using evidence and policy to prioritise investment in highway or infrastructure improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of SRN improvements by identifying network needs and progressing interventions.
• Appraise and prioritise investment using evidence, risk, and value for money.
• Commission and manage technical delivery and procurement with trunk road agents and consultants.
• Manage programme performance and governance with reporting and risk management.
• Coordinate across SRN and manage interfaces with authorities and stakeholders.

Skills

Highways project leadership

Evidence-based decision making

Job description

Highways Improvements Manager – Strategic Road Network

ID 4326

The Welsh Government operates name-free recruitment. The recruiting panel will not see personal information such as a candidate’s name and address during the sifting process. This policy is in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity.

Vacancy title

Highways Improvements Manager – Strategic Road Network

20/11/2026, 16:00

Advertising basis Permanent

A starting salary between £47,675 and £52,557 will be offered to the successful candidate based on their skills, knowledge, experience and performance at interview. This range is not negotiable. The pay scale of this role has a salary band between £47,675 and £56,445 in 4 annual increments.

Salary range or pay band SEO £47,675 to £56,445

Work pattern Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)

Group Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy Group

Directorate Transport & Connectivity

Branch Highways

Location (s) Pan Wales

‘Pan Wales’ means the post holder can be based in any Welsh Government office, subject to business needs. Roles based outside Wales, including London, are not available unless explicitly stated in the advert.

A list of the Welsh Government’s offices can be found on www.gov.wales/welsh-government-offices . Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location.

The post holder’s travel from their home to their assigned Welsh Government office is considered their ‘ordinary commute’ and must be done in their own time and at their own cost.

Purpose of post

The Strategic Road Network (SRN) is one of Wales’ most vital infrastructure assets, with an estimated asset value of approximately £21 billion. Although it makes up just 5 % of the total road length, it carries around one-third of all road traffic, playing a key role in connecting communities, supporting the economy and providing access to essential services.

This post is part of a wider recruitment campaign to strengthen the Welsh Government’s Strategic Road Network Division. Over the coming months, we will be building a diverse and skilled team to enhance our capability as a highway authority, ensuring we continue to deliver safe, efficient and sustainable transport infrastructure across Wales. This is an exciting opportunity to join a delivery-focused and inclusive team and help shape the future of the SRN. Your work will make a real difference to people’s lives, network resilience and the Welsh economy.

What You’ll Be Doing

As part of the Network Management function, you’ll help plan, maintain and improve the Strategic Road Network (SRN) on behalf of Welsh Ministers.

You’ll lead the development of targeted improvement programmes that respond to identified network needs and deliver better outcomes for road users, communities and the wider transport network. This includes interventions designed to:

• Improve network resilience and reliability
• Reduce congestion and address known pinch points
• Improve air quality and environmental performance
• Address safety, accessibility and operational challenges
• Make best use of the existing network through proportionate, evidence-led investment

Your work will support Welsh Government priorities, such as policies and Programme for Government (PfG) commitments.

Key Focus

In this role, you’ll lead the identification, development, appraisal and prioritisation of targeted improvements across the SRN.

You’ll use evidence to understand network problems, develop proportionate interventions and ensure investment is directed towards interventions that provide the greatest overall public benefit.

You’ll work closely with trunk road agents, Transport for Wales, consultants, local authorities and other delivery partners to develop coordinated solutions and ensure improvement proposals are integrated with wider asset, safety and operational priorities.

You’ll also manage important strategic interfaces, including highway boundaries, land ownership and relationships with local authorities and private landowners, helping protect the effective operation and long‑term integrity of the SRN.

Why Join Us?

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. You will be joining a team that values collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement, and where your work will play a central role in protecting the resilience, safety and environmental performance of Wales’ Strategic Road Network.

You’ll also benefit from an exceptional employee package. As a Welsh Government employee, you’ll be automatically enrolled into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, which offers one of the most generous employer contribution rates in the UK (28.97 % employer contribution),providing long‑term financial security that is difficult to match elsewhere. You’ll work a 37 hour week, enjoying 31 days of annual leave plus bank and privilege holidays, alongside flexible working arrangements and a hybrid working approach designed to support wellbeing, work‑life balance and productivity. We also offer a range of additional benefits, including cycle and green car schemes, discounted rail season tickets, and access to wellbeing and employee support programmes. For more information, visit Pay, pensions and benefits | GOV.WALES

Key tasks

• Lead the development of SRN improvements by identifying network needs and progressing targeted improvements and pinch‑point interventions through the appropriate stages of development and appraisal, applying Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance (WelTAG) where required.
• Appraise and prioritise investment using robust evidence, risk, benefits, deliverability and value for money to ensure resources are directed towards interventions that provide the greatest public benefit.
• Commission and manage technical delivery and procurement by preparing and overseeing briefs, surveys, studies and specialist support delivered by trunk road agents, Transport for Wales, consultants and other suppliers, ensuring outputs are technically robust, proportionate, timely and avoid unnecessary duplication.
• Manage programme performance and governance through effective monitoring, reporting and risk management, including the preparation of information and briefings to support senior management and ministerial decision‑making.
• Coordinate across the SRN and manage key interfaces by working across disciplines including road safety, pavements, drainage, structures, ITS and environmental functions, while overseeing SRN air quality activity and managing highway boundaries, land ownership and stakeholder relationships.

Represent Welsh Government and drive continuous improvement through stakeholder engagement, technical forums and workshops, while promoting sustainable construction, digital approaches, collaborative delivery and whole‑life value.

Joining the Strategic Road Network Division means being part of a team at the heart of planning and delivering nationally significant infrastructure across Wales. We offer:

• Exposure to nationally significant programmes that improve safety, resilience, connectivity and the performance of the SRN.
• Opportunities to work with Ministers, senior Welsh Government officials and strategic partners across Wales and the UK, providing valuable insight into policy, investment and delivery at a senior level.
• Professional growth and development through experience in programme management, investment appraisal, governance, procurement and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience of integrated transport and infrastructure planning, including sustainable, evidence‑led approaches to improving the existing network.
• A supportive and inclusive team environment where diversity is valued and everyone is encouraged to thrive, with access to mentoring, peer learning and tailored development opportunities.

Other vacancy related information

• This is a specialist highways engineering role. Applicants are required to hold a recognised engineering professional qualification (e.g. EngTech, IEng, CEng etc.) and be a current member of a relevant civil engineering or highways‑related professional institution, such as ICE, CIHT, IHT or an equivalent body. Evidence of the qualification will need to be provided at onboarding stage or earlier.
• A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.
• This is a Pan‑Wales role and can be based at any Welsh Government office.
• The successful candidate will be expected to undertake site visits as part of the role, averaging around one visit per month.
• CVs will not be scored but will be used by the panel to gain a fuller understanding of your experience and employment history.
• In the event of two or more candidates having the same total score, the following merit order will be applied:
  • Experience 1
  • Experience 2
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Seeing the Big Picture

• The annual membership fee or subscription for one relevant professional institution will be reimbursed, provided that the membership aligns with the requirements of the role.

Vetting level Basic

Number of posts 1

Contact point for further information regarding the post [e-mail]

Welsh language requirements

Welsh language requirements 3 - Welsh language skills are not essential for this opportunity; you do not need Welsh language skills to apply. However, as the Welsh Government is a bilingual organisation, Welsh language skills are desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our AI candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection Process and Stages

Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

The selection process and stages are:

Number of Stages:

2 stage process

Stage 1 Application Form

Stage 2 Interview

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these Behaviour criteria during the selection process.

Behaviour 1: Seeing the Big Picture

Align activities to contribute to wider organisational priorities

This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Behaviour 2: Making Effective Decisions

Present strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits and risks

This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Experience

We'll assess you against the following Experience criteria during the assessment process.

Evidence to provide CV, Experience questions

Experience 1: Experience of leading the development and delivery of highway improvement schemes or programmes.

This will be tested at Stage 1: Application Form

This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Experience 2: Experience of using evidence and policy to prioritise and support investment in highway or infrastructure improvements.

This will be tested at Stage 1: Application Form

This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria your application will not progress. If it becomes clear at a later stage in the process that you are not eligible to apply, your application may be withdrawn, or the offer retracted.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Social Model of Disability

Recruitment adjustments for disabled candidates

Welsh Government has adopted the social model of disability, which recognises that barriers in society act to disable people who have impairments, or health conditions, who are neurodivergent or who use British Sign Language.

We are committed to removing barriers in the recruitment process, ensuring all candidates have the opportunity to perform at their best. Recruitment adjustments can be made for any part of the recruitment process for candidates with an impairment or health condition, who are neurodivergent or who use British Sign Language.

Adjustment requests can be made on the Inclusion and Accessibility page of this form. Please contact [e-mail] if you would like a confidential conversation about potential adjustments.

Inclusive Interview Schemes

We are committed to inclusive recruitment and offer interviews to eligible candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role through the following schemes:

Disability Confident

The Welsh Government is a Disability Confident Leader. As part of our commitment to this scheme we interview any candidate with an impairment, health condition, who is neurodivergent or who uses British Sign Language if they meet the minimum criteria for the post.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The Welsh Government operates the Great Place to Work for Veterans Initiative. As part of our commitment to this scheme we interview any eligible candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the post.

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service employers can offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of civil servants who are at risk of redundancy and who meet the minimum criteria for the post

By ‘minimum criteria’ we mean that candidates must provide us with evidence in their application (and/or test) that they meet the minimum level of competence for the role - usually defined as a minimum score of 4 per criterion.

Social Partnership

In Welsh Government, the relationship between the employer and trade unions is based on social partnership. We believe our goals can best be achieved by management and trade unions working together.

Our 3 recognised trade unions are:

• PCS
• Prospect
• FDA

This relationship is underpinned by a partnership agreement. This sets out how our unions work with Welsh Government on issues such as:

• Pay
• Terms and conditions
• HR Strategy, policies and procedures
• Health, safety and well‑being
• Organisational change

Our Welsh Government trade union colleagues work together to give their members a real say in the workplace. They make sure that the interests of their members are promoted and protected. They also help reduce inequalities and improve terms and conditions.

The Welsh Government has an excellent track record of working in partnership with its trade unions. We support you to join a recognised trade union, to ensure your voice is heard in the workplace. We encourage you to learn more about our trade unions, partnership working and to get involved in their work.

Smart Working

We support Smart Working: a flexible, inclusive and safe approach that balances organisational needs with individual wellbeing.

Most colleagues are expected to spend at least 40% of their working time in the office (around two days a week, pro‑rated for part‑time colleagues) to support collaboration, connection and delivery.

Some roles may require more office‑based attendance, up to 100%. Where the role allows, the remainder of the week may be spent working from home or other locations, subject to business needs.

We recognise that some colleagues may require workplace adjustments or alternative working arrangements, and these will be considered in line with individual circumstances and organisational policies.

Smart Working is supported through regular conversations with managers, Team Charters and agreed working arrangements that help teams work effectively across office, remote and blended environments.

All Welsh Government staff are members of the Civil Service, and as a result are eligible for:

• 31 days annual leave (pro‑rated for part time)
• training and development opportunities
• Cycle2Work Scheme
• Smart Working flexible working arrangement
• Green Car Scheme (subject to availability)

If you are an active Civil Service Pension member you can continue your membership throughout your employment with us.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email [e-mail] . Please ensure that you refer to the vacancy reference number.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Welsh Government, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: [e-mail].