Programme Director – Highways & Transport

Programme Director – Transport and Highways
Initial 6‑month contract | Immediate start
£985 per day
Inside IR35 (via umbrella)
North West / Hybrid working
CVs are being reviewed immediately and interviews will be taking place week commencing 25 May 2026.

If you thrive on leading complex, high‑value infrastructure programmes with real regional impact, this is a contract where you can deliver at scale from day one. As Programme Director, you will take ownership of a major transport capital portfolio, overseeing delivery of multiple high‑profile projects and ensuring they are executed to time, cost and quality expectations.

Working within a senior leadership environment, you’ll engage closely with executive stakeholders, governance boards and delivery teams to drive programme performance and ensure robust oversight across a multi‑million-pound investment pipeline – circa £168M. This role offers strong visibility, strategic influence and the opportunity to shape outcomes that directly impact communities, connectivity and long‑term growth. With an immediate start and clear programme priorities, this is an opportunity to step into a critical leadership role and add value quickly across a complex delivery environment.

• Lead the delivery of a large‑scale capital programme portfolio, ensuring successful outcomes across multiple infrastructure projects
• Projects & programmes ranging from £5-£40M, spanning Highways, Active Travel, Public Transport, Economic Growth, Connectivity and Climate Change
• Oversee full project lifecycle including design, procurement, construction and handover
• Manage programme performance, governance, reporting and decision‑making processes at board level
• Engage senior stakeholders and delivery partners to drive progress and resolve risks and issues
• Ensure strong financial control, value for money and compliance across all programme activity
• Lead multi‑disciplinary delivery teams and external partners to achieve programme objectives

• Proven track record delivering large, complex infrastructure or transport programmes
• Experience managing high-value capital portfolios within public sector or regulated environments
• Strong background in governance, stakeholder management and board‑level reporting
• Commercial awareness including budget management, procurement and contract oversight
• Experience leading multi‑disciplinary teams across complex delivery environments
• Confident communicator with experience engaging senior leaders and elected stakeholders

Essential:

• Educated to degree level in relevant academic subject or equivalent professional experience
• Good knowledge of business case development
• Qualification or significant experience in relevant project management disciplines – APM, PMQ, PRINCE2, MSP, NEC4, ECC accreditation or equivalent

In this Programme Director – Transport & Highways contract, you’ll play a key leadership role in shaping and delivering a major infrastructure programme, ensuring strong governance, high performance and tangible outcomes. If you enjoy operating at pace, influencing strategic decisions and delivering complex projects at scale, this is a contract worth exploring.

If you’re interested in discussing this opportunity in more detail or know someone who would be a strong fit for this Programme Director – Transport & Highways role, please contact Sarah Williams or George Batson on or apply today.

We offer a senior referral scheme upon successful placement of your recommendation, so please do get in touch.

Our clients are committed to building a diverse workforce and do not discriminate. All recruiting decisions are based on experience and skills, and reasonable adjustments will be fully supported throughout the recruitment process.