Senior Highways Specialist

Elevate; Swindon; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Elevate Projects, in partnership with our client, seeks a Senior Specialist to provide high‑level expertise, leadership and delivery of highways agreements including Section 38, Section 278 and related legal documents. You will ensure statutory compliance, liaise with developers and authorities, and drive timely, safe, and constructible highway infrastructure.

The role requires strong negotiation, coordination and governance skills, supporting continuous improvement of processes and guidance

Qualifications

• Experience negotiating and managing Section 38 and Section 278 highway agreements.
• Strong knowledge of statutory requirements and local authority policies.
• Ability to lead, coordinate with developers, consultants and internal teams.
• Proven track record delivering highway infrastructure on time and within budget.
• Excellent documentation, reporting and risk management skills.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate, prepare and manage Section 38, Section 278 and other highway-related agreements.
• Provide technical guidance and ensure compliance with standards.
• Oversee delivery of highway works within agreements, on schedule and budget.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and act as primary contact for developers.
• Maintain audit trails and manage risk mitigation.

Skills

Highways agreements

Section 38

Section 278

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Legal compliance

Project delivery

Job description

Elevate Projects are working in partnership with our client, to appointing an experienced Senior Specialist for Highways Agreements, providing senior-level expertise and leadership in the negotiation, management, and delivery of highways agreements including Section 38 (adoption of new roads), Section 278 (works affecting the public highway), and other legal agreements with developers and third parties.

The role ensures all agreements comply with statutory requirements, local authority policies, and design standards, while supporting the timely delivery of highway infrastructure that is safe, sustainable, and constructible. The Senior Specialist acts as the technical advisor on highway agreements, liaises with internal and external stakeholders, and contributes to the continuous improvement of processes, guidance, and governance within the highways agreements function.

Accountabilities

• Accountable for the negotiation, preparation, and management of Section 38, Section 278, and other highway-related legal agreements with developers and third parties. Ensure all agreements are legally robust, technically accurate, and compliant with statutory requirements and local authority policies.
• Ensure that all works under highways agreements meet national and local design standards, statutory obligations, and safety requirements. Provide authoritative technical guidance on complex agreement matters to internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Oversee and coordinate the delivery of highway works covered by agreements, ensuring schemes are completed on time, within budget, and to agreed quality standards.
• Monitor compliance with approved designs, construction standards, and maintenance requirements.
• Act as the primary point of contact for developers, consultants, contractors, and internal departments regarding highways agreements.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration to resolve issues, agree variations, and support delivery of schemes.
• Maintain robust documentation, reporting, and audit trails to support transparency, accountability, and legal compliance. Identify and manage risks associated with agreements, ensuring appropriate mitigation measures are implemented.