Rights of Way Manager

5 days ago – Be among the first 25 applicants

Staffordshire County Council

Do you want to be instrumental in shaping the future of the Public Rights of Way and access provision for Staffordshire? And are you interested in delivering an excellent service? Then this may be the job for you.

Access to the countryside has never been more important and rights of way are a vital resource for our communities and visitors. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to lead innovative approaches to the development and management of 4500 km of Public Rights of Way across Staffordshire. It will continue to transform the service, ensuring statutory functions are delivered, championing novel approaches and responding to new challenges.

This is a permanent full‑time role working 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday. The work is typically office and depot based, with hybrid working.

• Deliver statutory duties related to Public Rights of Way (PROW), open access, and promoted routes across Staffordshire.
• Lead the strategic management of the PROW network, ensuring accessibility, sustainability and legal compliance.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures and improvement plans to enhance rural access and rights of way.
• Engage and consult with stakeholders, elected members, communities and forums to support evidence‑led decision making.
• Manage staff, budgets and resources to deliver inspections, enforcement, maintenance and improvements across the network.
• Integrate rights of way into infrastructure planning, while promoting innovation, volunteer involvement and digital solutions to expand service capacity.

• Qualified at degree level or equivalent in an appropriate discipline.
• Detailed knowledge of rights of way (highways) and access legislation and practice in England.
• Significant experience of rights of way procedures and management, including enforcement, dispute resolution, analysis of historical evidence and demand prioritisation.
• Extensive knowledge of risk assessment and management, safe systems of work and CDM regulations.
• Experience of budget management, procurement and contract management.
• Effective and strategic leadership and management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage the public, collaborate with partners and resolve disputes constructively.
• Strong IT skills, including GIS.
• Ability to handle difficult situations and resolve conflict.
• Current driving licence.

Interviews are expected to be held on 23rd January 2026.

Don’t feel you meet all the requirements? We value transferable skills, experiences and qualifications, so consider applying anyway. For an informal discussion, please contact Sarah Bentley, Head of Environment and Countryside, at sarah.

We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.

We recognise that our employees are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where staff can achieve their full potential and maintain a healthy work‑life balance. In addition to your salary, you will have access to rewards and benefits through Careers at Staffordshire.

• Seniority level:
  Mid‑Senior
• Employment type:
  
  Full‑time
• Job function:
  Legal
• Industries:
  Human Resources Services

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice, and they sit at the heart of our People Strategy. They foster community spirit, ambition, and a forward‑looking mindset for both staff and the county.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and a Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities. As a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and a supporter of care leavers, we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria.