Reactive Highway Drainage Project Lead

Matchtech; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech is seeking a highways programme lead to tackle drainage, gully cleansing and street cleansing access issues across Manchester. You will coordinate across Highways, Waste, Street Lighting and Network Management to deliver data-led solutions while engaging residents and stakeholders.

This role requires strong project management, risk handling and the ability to secure temporary parking restrictions and approvals.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with experience of working with residents, community groups, Members and contractors.
• Experience of planning and coordinating operational activities across different services or organisations.
• Understanding of highway maintenance, drainage operations, traffic management and local authority service delivery.
• Ability to develop practical solutions to complex operational challenges and deliver measurable improvements.
• Experience of preparing reports, performance information and business cases.
• Asset management experience using platforms such as Alloy Causeway or similar, along with GMRAPS to effectively obtain granted road space underpinned by permitting requirements and traffic management approvals.
• Undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering or MSc discipline or hold a HNC / HND in highway or civil Engineering or be a Chartered or Incorporated Engineering with a relevant institution membership.
• Providing programme management and operational oversight for reactive highway maintenance activities across drainage / gullies, street cleansing, pothole repairs, highway repairs, street lighting, structures, network infrastructure.
• Develop and deliver integrated maintenance programmes using asset management data coordinating multi-disciplinary maintenance activities, traffic management, TTROs and road space requirements.
• Manage contractors, consultants and stakeholders, ensuring delivery against agreed standards, budgets and timescales.
• Monitor programme performance, maintain governance records and provide reports to senior management.
• Produce business cases, delivery plans, risk registers and resource plans.
• Ensure compliance with CDM, health and safety legislation, highway maintenance standards and procurement requirements and the Highways Act.
• Support customer engagement, communications and resolution of enquiries and complaints.
• Supporting the Street Lighting team as and when required where capacity exists with site inspections across Manchester (fall back work if applicable).
• Proven experience in highways, local authority or similar infrastructure environments in a similar roles within a highway maintenance / drainage background.
• Strong asset management, programme management and contract administration expertise underpinned from effective communication styles.
• Experience managing contractors, stakeholders, budgets, risks and procurement activities.
• Knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015, health and safety requirements, RAMS reviews and highway maintenance legislation.
• Ability to oversee projects from concept through to completion, including minor outline designs, scopes across delivery and performance management.

Responsibilities

• Identifying locations via internal data where parked vehicles regularly obstruct highway drainage maintenance, gully cleansing and street cleansing activities.
• Developing and managing programmes of work to address access issues at these locations through coordinated stakeholder engagement and project delivery.
• Working directly with residents, community groups, elected Members and other stakeholders to build support for temporary parking restrictions and planned maintenance activities.
• Coordinating activities across Highway Operations, Network Management, Waste and Cleansing, and other Council services to ensure a joined-up approach.
• Liaising with contractors and service providers to programme cleansing and maintenance activities at agreed times, ensuring resources are deployed efficiently.
• Arranging and coordinating any necessary traffic management, temporary parking restrictions, signing, communications and operational requirements to facilitate access.
• Leading communications and engagement activities, ensuring residents and businesses are informed of planned works and understand the benefits being delivered.
• Monitoring progress, managing risks and resolving issues that could affect delivery of maintenance programmes.
• Maintaining programme records and providing regular updates to senior management, Members and stakeholders on progress, outcomes and service improvements.
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes, reduce recurring access problems and develop sustainable long-term solutions.
• Developing highway asset inventory within Alloy Causeway platform which informs internal data and maintenance programmes.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Contract administration

Budget management

Traffic management

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

MSc in Civil Engineering

HNC / HND in highway or civil Engineering

Tools

Alloy Causeway

GMRAPS

Contract management software

Job description

Matchtech is seeking a highways programme lead to tackle drainage, gully cleansing and street cleansing access issues across Manchester. You will coordinate across Highways, Waste, Street Lighting and Network Management to deliver data-led solutions while engaging residents and stakeholders.

This role requires strong project management, risk handling and the ability to secure temporary parking restrictions and approvals.