Technical Lead - Highways Development Management

Location: Worcestershire

Worcestershire County Council is seeking a dynamic and experienced Technical Lead to join their Highways Development Management team on a contract basis. This role is integral to ensuring the effective delivery of the County Council's statutory role as Highway Authority in relation to planning, development, and infrastructure delivery.

Purpose of Job:

Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Highways Development Management service, ensuring the effective delivery of the County Council's statutory role as Highway Authority in relation to planning, development, and infrastructure delivery.
Lead on the assessment and management of complex, major, and strategic development proposals; secure appropriate highway mitigation and infrastructure through the planning process; manage staff and resources efficiently; and contribute to wider service policy, performance, and transformation objectives.

Main Activities & Responsibilities:

1. Strategic & Operational Leadership

Provide clear leadership, direction, and management for a Highways Development Management team ensuring delivery of service objectives and statutory obligations.
Translate service and corporate priorities into operational delivery plans, managing workloads, resources, and performance effectively.
Act as a senior professional lead on highway development matters, providing assurance on the quality, consistency, and defensibility of advice.
Oversee the improvement of service delivery and change to provide effective efficiencies in the delivery of the highways development management service.
Deputise for the Highways Development Management & Control Manager where required on development-related matters.
2. People Management

Line-manage staff within the section, including recruitment, supervision, appraisal, performance management, and professional development.
Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performance culture aligned with Worcestershire County Council's values and behaviours.
Support workforce resilience, succession planning, and skills development.
Provide leadership through periods of organisational change and transformation, ensuring objectives are achieved while maintaining team performance within a public sector environment.
3. Technical & Professional Accountabilities

Lead on the highways assessment of major, complex, and strategically significant planning applications and development proposals.
Oversee and, where necessary, personally manage negotiations with developers, consultants, and planning authorities to secure appropriate highway mitigation.
Ensure effective use of developer funding and legal mechanisms (including Section 106, Section 278, Community Infrastructure Levy, and related agreements).
Provide professional advice and evidence by representing the highway authority at planning committees, hearings, appeals, and public inquiries.
4. Policy, Governance & Compliance

Ensure all advice and decisions comply with relevant legislation, national policy, adopted standards, and local guidance.
Contribute to the development and review of highways development management policies, procedures, and technical guidance.
Identify and manage risks associated with development proposals, including legal, financial, safety, and reputational risks.
5. Stakeholder & Partnership Working

Build and maintain effective working relationships with Worcestershire LPA's, developers, statutory consultees, elected Members, and local communities.
Represent Worcestershire County Council confidently and professionally in public, political, and multi-agency settings.
Provide clear, balanced, and timely advice to senior officers and Members.
6. Performance, Finance & Improvement

Manage resources within delegated budgets, ensuring value for money and effective use of staff and developer contributions.
Monitor and improve performance against agreed service standards and timescales.
Lead and support service improvement, innovation, and digital transformation initiatives.
Support with the development and introduction of Directorate and Corporate initiatives and the management of associated cultural change.
Work with colleagues in other teams across the Council to assist…