Roads and Street Lighting Service Manager - ARGBC

Interviews will take place on 9 November 2026 and psychometric assessment will be included as part of the interview process. This part of the selection process is being supported by Solace in Business.

Argyll and Bute is one of Scotland’s most stunning areas. As its award-winning council, we play a vital part in the day-to-day life and long-term future of our beautiful and diverse communities. Our unwavering purpose is to make Argyll and Bute the place to be, the place where people want to live, to work and do business. And we are committed to making the council the place to have a great career, by providing excellent benefits and a friendly, dynamic working culture so that each of our 5000 colleagues can deliver services that help our corner of Scotland thrive.

Join us to make a difference.

About the role:
This is a senior leadership role working across a large and varied geographical area, combining office-based strategic and management activity with regular engagement at operational locations throughout Argyll and Bute. The working environment is varied and fast-paced, with responsibility for balancing planned service delivery, financial and performance management, statutory duties and emerging operational priorities. Travel across the area and, where required, beyond will form part of the role.

The post holder will also take part in out-of-hours standby arrangements and may be required to respond to severe weather, emergencies and other service-critical incidents. On a day-to-day basis, the post holder will lead and support managers and employees across Roads and Street Lighting, including colleagues involved in road asset management, maintenance, structures, street lighting, parking and environmental enforcement, school crossing patrols, winter maintenance, programme delivery and business support.

They will report to and work closely with the Head of Roads and Infrastructure Service and collaborate regularly with other Council services, finance, human resources, procurement, health and safety, information technology and corporate colleagues. Less frequently, but as an important part of the role, they will advise and engage with Elected Members and Committees, represent the Council on external bodies, and work with contractors, professional advisers, statutory agencies, partner organisations, community representatives and members of the public.

The role makes a direct and visible difference to people living, working and travelling in Argyll and Bute. By leading safe, reliable and well-maintained roads and street lighting services, the post holder helps communities stay connected, supports access to schools, health services, employment and local businesses, and enables essential and emergency services to operate effectively. Their leadership also helps keep children and other road users safer through school crossing patrols, lighting, inspections and winter maintenance, while sound management of public funds and infrastructure supports resilient communities and the long-term sustainability of the area.

About you: The successful candidate must hold an appropriate qualification in a relevant discipline, have at least five years’ proven senior management experience in a relevant service area, and be a member of an appropriate professional body—or be able to obtain membership within three months. Significant experience of delivering road or highway authority services is essential, together with budget management, strategic planning, complex project management, excellent communication skills, and a sound knowledge of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 and relevant statutory requirements.

A management qualification would be desirable, as would experience of local government, working with Elected Members, managing a diverse workforce across a large geographical area, street scene and enforcement services, IT management systems, commissioning and tendering, civil or structural engineering, roads maintenance, and traffic or parking management. The post holder must be able to travel effectively throughout Argyll and Bute and beyond and may occasionally work outside normal hours.

Our employees make good things happen in the day-to-day life and for the longer term future of Argyll and Bute. We want you to feel valued working for us. We offer various benefits to support you, such as a competitive salary, pension scheme, generous leave entitlement, cycle to work scheme, discounts on gym memberships and leisure centres, wellbeing…