Senior/Principal Highways Development Management Officer

Wokingham Borough Council; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in England seeks a Senior/Principal Highways Development Management Officer for full-time employment. The role involves advising on highways impacts, assessing planning applications, and negotiating contributions for transportation services. Ideal candidates should have 10+ years in development management and expertise in street design. Competitive salary between £40,778 - £57,870 per year.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Excellent pension scheme

Employee assistance programme

Gym access

Salary sacrifice schemes

Qualifications

• Ability to effectively deliver improvements in highways and transportation safety.
• Expert knowledge of street design delivery through planning.
• Minimum of 10 years experience in development planning/management.

Responsibilities

• Advise on transport implications of pre-application proposals.
• Assess planning applications and formulate recommendations.
• Negotiate financial contributions for transportation services.

Skills

Transport safety and sustainability policy development

Knowledge of national transportation policies

Expertise in street design

Industry software analysis

Job description

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• Highways_Development_Management_Senior_Principal_Jul24

Overview

We have a fantastic opportunity available for a Senior/Principal Highways Development Management Officer to join our proactive Highways Team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full time, permanent basis.

In your role as Senior/Principal Highways Development Management Officer you will support and represent the Highways Development Management team associated with the design, planning and delivery of new highways and streets within the Borough. This includes representing the highways and transport service at planning committees and appeal hearings/inquiries.

Benefits

• A generous annual leave entitlement of 30-31 days (rising to 35-36 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays
• An excellent local government pension scheme
• An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline
• A range of local & lifestyle discounts
• Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)
• Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes
• And much more!

Key responsibilities

• To advise on the transport implications/highways impacts of pre-application development proposals
• To assess planning applications including advising and making recommendations on their transportation implications, having regard to Borough policy and to Government policy and advice.
• To advise on Transport Assessments and Travel Plans presented in support of development proposals and carry out transport appraisals of development proposals
• Provide assistance and guidance to developers on the Scoping of any TA required, including commissioning and review of strategic transport model outputs from the Borough's modelling team.
• To negotiate appropriate financial contributions towards transportation services and infrastructure required arising from planning applications
• To instruct Borough solicitors on highways obligations to be secured within Section 106 agreements and review and advise on draft legal agreements
• Meet with other officers, developers and their agents where appropriate to discuss issues and seek to find solutions to outstanding problems to facilitate the successful outcome of the planning application
• To prepare and present evidence to Public Inquiries, Hearings and planning appeals.

Candidate requirements

• Ability to contribute and set policies that will effectively deliver improvements in H&T safety or sustainability
• Excellent working knowledge of relevant national and international H&T related policies (NPPF) standards (e.g. DMRB, Manual for Streets)
• Expert knowledge of street design, with particular focus on the delivery of high-quality streets through the planning process
• Minimum of 10 years experience in the development planning/management industry, including strategic scales of developments (e.g. over 500 dwellings/15,000m2 Commercial).
• Extensive experience analysing or interpreting industry software (such as Junctions 10, LinSig and modelling platforms)

Our Area

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We're home to a range of high performing schools including 69 primary and 21 secondary, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

How to apply

For more information or to arrange an information conversation, please email Alan Lewis - Highways Development Manager via [e-mail]

Closing date: 26th October 2025, 11pm

Interview date: TBC

Notes

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.

Salary range:

• £40,778 - £57,870 per year