Head of National Programmes

About the job.

We are looking for a Head of National Programmes to join the National Highways' Planning and Performance Team in our Operations directorate. With a focus on optimising our operational delivery, you will own national programmes of schemes that have a high level of cost, complexity, risk, importance or scrutiny.

This is an exciting opportunity to provide direction and technical support that will enable our regional teams to deliver a variety of complex programmes in areas such as structures, drainage, safety, environment and schemes. Collaborating with a broad range of key stakeholders, your ability to communicate, influence and negotiate effectively will be central to your success.

You will:

• Drive implementation and ongoing development of the National Programmes approach within Operations.
• Manage technical advisors supporting the regions to ensure consistent delivery and prioritisation of asset needs.
• Collaborate closely with Operations regional teams, PMO and programme sponsors outside of Operations to optimise working arrangements that will drive consistency and efficiency.
• Oversee the change control process from a technical perspective and monitor progress of higher risk schemes, intervening and supporting as required.
• Deliver and present progress updates and information requests to senior and executive leadership teams, external bodies (DfT, ORR) or others as required.
• Inspire and motivate your people to optimise their behaviours and performance.

About you.

• Collaborative, with the ability to lead, engage and inspire teams across boundaries.
• Proven experience in leading and managing business change and associated risks and issues.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering significant programmes of projects to timescales.
• Excellent influencing and communicating skills to effectively engage key business stakeholders at various levels.
• Proven ability to gather, analyse and interpret a broad range of information to inform forward planning and organisational strategy.

About us.

Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England's motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this, are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership.

Operations is at the heart of keeping the strategic road network moving and ensuring our customers get the best possible experience when using our roads.

We address over 39,000 customer enquiries every month, plan and deliver all maintenance activities on the network, drive efficiencies and improvements across our systems and roads, and respond to incidents across 4,500 miles of motorways and major A-roads that we manage. All to make sure National Highways customers have safer, smoother, and more reliable journeys.

External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy.

We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.