Highways Operations Leader: NRSWA & Network Compliance

Jacobs; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Hybrid working

Pension scheme

Private medical insurance

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking an experienced Operational Leader to manage the delivery of NRSWA compliance and network management services for Hertfordshire County Council. The role is hybrid, based from Stevenage, with a requirement to be in the office one to two days per week.

You will lead a 20+ team across compliance, administration, technical and inspection functions, ensuring performance against KPIs, budget control, and strong client relationships within a regulated highways environment.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in operational management, service delivery, contract management, or programme leadership.
• Strong people management experience leading large and diverse teams.
• Proven budget management and resource planning experience.
• Experience in highways, street works, utilities, infrastructure or regulated environments.
• Good understanding of NRSWA, Traffic Management Act, permit schemes, and related legislation.
• Experience delivering services against contractual KPIs and performance measures.
• Ability to operate in a politically sensitive local authority environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary team of 20+ across compliance, administration, technical and inspection functions.
• Take overall responsibility for operational performance, service delivery, contract compliance, and client satisfaction.
• Manage budgets, resources, workloads, and performance targets to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
• Foster strong relationships with client stakeholders, local authorities, statutory undertakers, utilities, contractors, and regulatory bodies.
• Ensure compliance with NRSWA, the Traffic Management Act, permit schemes, noticing processes, and associated legislation.
• Drive performance against contractual KPIs, including permit compliance, inspections, enforcement activities, and network management obligations.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance service quality, efficiency, compliance, and customer outcomes.
• Oversee risk management, governance, reporting, and audit activities.
• Ensure projects and operational activities are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with strict legislative and contractual requirements.
• Create a positive, high-performing culture through effective leadership, coaching, mentoring, and people development.

Skills

Operational leadership

People management

Contract management

Budget management

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder management

Education

Professional qualification in highways/civil engineering/transportation

NRSWA Supervisor/SWQR accreditation

Job description

Jacobs is seeking an experienced Operational Leader to manage the delivery of NRSWA compliance and network management services for Hertfordshire County Council. The role is hybrid, based from Stevenage, with a requirement to be in the office one to two days per week.

You will lead a 20+ team across compliance, administration, technical and inspection functions, ensuring performance against KPIs, budget control, and strong client relationships within a regulated highways environment.