Principal Engineer – Capital Highways Delivery – AR

Job Description

Job Title: Principal Engineer – Capital Highways Delivery

Department: Highways & EngineeringReports to: Section Manager

Job Purpose

To lead the planning, design, coordination, and delivery of capital‑funded highways and transport infrastructure programmes, including major funding streams such as the Levelling Up Fund (LUF2) and City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS).

The role provides senior technical and programme leadership across complex, multi‑disciplinary infrastructure schemes, ensuring successful delivery from business case and funding stage through to construction and completion, in line with governance, statutory, and funding requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the end‑to‑end delivery of capital highways and transport programmes.
• Develop, manage, and monitor programme schedules to ensure timely and compliant delivery.
• Provide strategic direction across LUF2, CRSTS, and other funded infrastructure schemes.
• Ensure alignment of projects with regeneration, transport, and corporate priorities.

Design, Technical & Cost Assurance

• Oversee the development of engineering designs, drawings, cost estimates, and delivery programmes.
• Provide technical leadership and assurance across all stages of scheme development.
• Ensure compliance with design standards, funding criteria, and statutory requirements.
• Support the preparation of business cases and funding submissions.

Contract & Consultant Management

• Manage external consultants, contractors, and specialist advisors supporting programme delivery.
• Ensure performance, quality, and value for money across all external partners.
• Oversee contractual delivery and ensure outputs meet agreed requirements.

Stakeholder & Partnership Working

• Act as key liaison between internal council teams, elected members, and external partners.
• Work closely with regional bodies such as Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
• Coordinate cross‑service collaboration to support integrated infrastructure delivery.

Public Consultation & Engagement

• Lead consultation activities for major infrastructure schemes, including public exhibitions and stakeholder engagement.
• Manage public and political communication relating to scheme development and delivery.
• Ensure transparent and effective engagement throughout project lifecycles.

Governance, Funding & Compliance

• Ensure all schemes comply with funding conditions, statutory requirements, and council governance frameworks.
• Oversee monitoring, reporting, audit, and assurance processes for capital programmes.
• Proactively identify, manage, and mitigate project and programme risks.

Strategic Programme Development

• Support the development of future capital programme pipelines and investment opportunities.
• Contribute to business case development and funding bids for major infrastructure schemes.
• Assist in prioritisation of projects in line with strategic transport objectives.

Representation & Corporate Role

• Represent the service at internal boards, committees, and external regional forums.
• Act as a professional lead on highways and transport infrastructure matters.
• Respond to correspondence and enquiries from members, stakeholders, and the public.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications & Knowledge

• Degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Highways Engineering, or related discipline.
• Strong understanding of highway design, transport infrastructure delivery, and capital project management.
• Knowledge of public sector governance, procurement, and funding frameworks (e.g. LUF, CRSTS).

Experience

• Significant experience delivering capital highways or transport infrastructure projects.
• Experience managing multi‑disciplinary teams and external consultants/contractors.
• Proven track record in programme delivery from concept through to construction.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement, including public consultation.
• Experience working with regional transport bodies or similar organisations.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and programme management capability.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a complex environment.
• Strong technical judgement and problem‑solving ability.
• Confident in representing the organisation in high‑profile settings.

Desirable Criteria

• Chartered Engineer (ICE or equivalent) or working towards.
• Experience in regeneration‑led or city‑region transport programmes.
• Familiarity with design software (e.g. AutoCAD, Civil 3D).
• Previous local authority or public sector infrastructure experience.

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