Service Director - Highways

Overview

As part of the council's leadership team, you will guide your specialist technical teams to ensure Central Bedfordshire's highways, roads, and pavements are safe across our 1,400 kilometre-wide Unitary. To be successful, you will be highly credible in the field of highways and infrastructure and, whilst this might be a step up in your career, you must have substantial experience of leading and managing a highways and technical function within a large public or private sector organisation.

There is further growth and development on the horizon within Central Bedfordshire. We have plans for an additional 20,000 homes. These will inevitably result in an increased demand on our road network, and we are rolling out an extensive maintenance programme. There is the possibility of a New Town too.

This role is about leadership as much as expertise. You will set direction for a large, technically skilled service and work closely with contractors and partners to drive performance and value. You will advise elected members, manage risk, and operate confidently in public and committee settings. You will also play a key role in aligning highways delivery with wider ambitions around safety, active travel and growth without losing sight of the basics that matter most to communities.

The council's Place and Communities directorate is responsible for many of the universal service and powers that a local authority can deploy to help create the conditions for successful and thriving communities, from infrastructure and development, through to planning and the environment. The teams within the directorate, along with our partners, deliver the services our residents need in a commercially aware and sustainable way.

Central Bedfordshire's geography brings real complexity. Rural roads and market towns sit alongside major growth sites and strategic routes. Asset management decisions, maintenance priorities, and investment choices all carry political weight. You will need to balance long-term resilience with short-term pressures, and to do so openly, credibly, and with a clear narrative that members and residents can understand.

Importantly, you will have an ability to work closely with elected members, residents, and our wider communities to encourage new ideas, innovation, and fresh perspectives. You must bring an understanding of the national policy context, regulatory environment, and demonstrate an ability to manage resources effectively. Whilst you will be a technical expert in the field of highways, you must also be a great leader of people, with an ability to grow and nurture your teams to ensure delivery of the highest standard.

This is not a background role. It is a visible, demanding leadership position in a council that expects exceptional delivery. For the right person, it offers scale, influence, and the chance to shape a service that underpins everyday life across Central Bedfordshire.

Responsibilities

• Lead a large, technically skilled service and drive performance and value, working with contractors and partners.
• Advise elected members, manage risk, and operate confidently in public and committee settings.
• Set direction for highways delivery aligned with safety, active travel, and growth, while focusing on communities.
• Balance long-term resilience with short-term pressures and communicate openly with members and residents.
• Work closely with elected members, residents, and wider communities to encourage new ideas, innovation, and fresh perspectives; manage resources effectively.
• Grow and nurture teams to ensure delivery of the highest standard.

Qualifications & Experience

• Substantial experience leading a highways and technical function within a large public or private sector organisation.
• Credibility in the field of highways and infrastructure.
• Ability to work with elected members, residents, and communities to explain decisions and outcomes.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, with a track record of delivering high-quality outcomes.

Applications

To apply, please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV (three sides of A4 maximum), along with a supporting statement (three sides of A4 maximum) detailing your experience, achievements, and addressing the key criteria for the role, using examples to demonstrate how you meet the requirements. Documents should be uploaded via our website, in two documents only. If you experience any issues whilst applying, please contact .

Applications should include:

• Full contact details;
• Names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees (we will ask your permission before contacting referees);
• Details of your notice period;
• Notification of any dates when you are not available for an interview.

At Tile Hill, we are committed to inclusion and accessibility. We champion and support all individuals to ensure everyone feels valued, listened to and motivated to get the very best out of each recruitment process. If you have any specific requests and would like a confidential discussion with the Tile Hill team, please email .