We’re looking for an experienced, confident and forward‑thinking Highways Asset Manager to lead the effective management of Buckinghamshire Council’s highway infrastructure across a wide range of asset groups.
This is a senior role with strategic and operational responsibility for ensuring our highway assets are safe, resilient, well‑managed and sustainably maintained. You will play a pivotal part in shaping long‑term asset management strategies, managing substantial capital and revenue budgets, and ensuring the network continues to support communities, businesses and road users across the county.
You’ll lead a dedicated professional team, influence investment decisions, and work at the heart of a public‑sector environment where technical credibility, strategic thinking and strong leadership are essential.
About us
Buckinghamshire Council is one of the largest local authorities in the country, responsible for a diverse highway network serving urban, rural and strategic transport needs. Our ambition is to provide a safe, reliable and sustainable transport network that supports economic growth, environmental responsibility and thriving communities.
About the role
As Highways Asset Manager, you will provide strategic leadership and professional direction for the council’s highways asset management function.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and developing a multi‑disciplinary professional team, setting clear direction, managing performance and supporting continuous development.
- Developing, maintaining and delivering comprehensive highways asset management plans, including lifecycle planning, inventory and condition data, and short‑ and medium‑term programmes.
- Shaping long‑term strategies, policies and procedures that align with council objectives and national best practice.
- Managing and influencing significant capital and revenue budgets (up to £75m), ensuring value for money and robust financial planning.
- Developing capital maintenance programmes and supporting Medium Term Financial Plan bids, including scenario testing and whole‑life cost modelling.
- Overseeing devolution arrangements, income generation activities (including highway advertisements), and performance monitoring.
- Ensuring full compliance with legislation, standards and health & safety requirements.
- Acting as a senior technical representative for the council, engaging with members, senior officers, government departments (including DfT), partners and the public.
- Driving innovation, continuous improvement and the adoption of best practice in asset management.
This role reports to the Head of Infrastructure and Capital Schemes and manages a team of professionals, with wider influence across commissioned service providers.
About you
You will be a highly experienced highways asset management professional with strong leadership credentials and the confidence to operate at senior level within a political and public‑facing environment.
We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate:
- Significant experience leading a professional or technical service in a large organisation, ideally within local government or a similar public‑sector environment.
- Extensive knowledge of highways asset management, including legislation, policy, asset data, lifecycle planning and investment prioritisation.
- A proven track record of managing substantial budgets, delivering value for money and influencing investment decisions.
- Strong strategic planning and service delivery experience, including policy development and long‑term programme planning.
- Experience of leading and motivating multi‑disciplinary teams, building capability, and fostering a collaborative culture.
- Credibility and confidence to work effectively in a political environment, engaging with elected members, senior stakeholders and partners.
- Excellent communication, presentation and influencing skills, with the ability to explain complex technical issues clearly.
- An innovative, solutions‑focused mindset, with the resilience and drive to lead change and continuous improvement.
You will be educated to degree level (or equivalent experience), ideally hold a relevant professional qualification, and be a member of a recognised professional institution (e.g. IHE, CIHT, ICE), with Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status.
If you are an accomplished highways asset management leader looking to make a real difference at scale, this is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a major highway network and lead a service of strategic importance.
Other information
Annual salary: Up to £82,251
Closing date: 29th June 2026
Interview date: TBC
Interview-type / process: Either MS Team and/or In Person, to be confirmed.
We offer hybrid working arrangements.
This post is politically restricted under the terms of the Local Government Act 1989.
This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:
- All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions.
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