About Us

• Are you an ambitious and talented professional seeking to take the next step in your career?
• Are you looking for working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance, including flexible working options and generous holiday allowance?

If you answered yes, we want to hear from you!

We have an exciting opportunity as the Head of Engineering (Group 2) within the Traffic and Engineering Section to manage and work with a dynamic team of engineers and assistants engaged in the planned maintenance of the highways & bridges infrastructure in both Richmond and Wandsworth boroughs. This covers a wide range of planned works and services on the highway assets in both boroughs including the maintenance, improvement and renewal of carriageways, footways, bridges, highway structures, street lighting, public realm and other highway assets. This role offers an ideal opportunity for a talented, ambitious and highly experienced professional to further develop and broaden their abilities and to take them forward to the next level of their career as part of the Environment & Community Services Department within the Shared Staffing Arrangement (SSA). 

The role covers both Richmond and Wandsworth and would be based primarily in Wandsworth initially with flexibility required to cover both boroughs from the offices available in each borough (Wandsworth - SW18 1EY, Richmond - TW1 3BZ) where necessary and remotely where practicable. 

You will be responsible for the management of four teams each led by a Principal Engineer with Senior Engineers, Engineers & Assistants currently reporting to them covering Street Lighting, Planned Highway Maintenance (Wandsworth), Planned Highway Maintenance (Richmond), Highway Bridges & Structures.

You will also be responsible for the asset management of the highway infrastructure in both boroughs with regard to planned highway maintenance. The section currently utilises a wide range of asset management and GIS software to manage the highway assets in accordance with UKPMS guidelines.

You will also be responsible for the management of agency staff and consultants in providing support to the team regarding highway works and asset management as appropriate.

You will have good working knowledge of engineering contracts and their preparation particularly with regard to civil engineering and highway maintenance. You will be required to use your programme and contract management skills to work and negotiate with external contractors and the Councils’ DSO and demonstrate excellent negotiation, budgetary and financial management. 

You will:

• Ensure that the services for both Councils are dealt with to deliver the high standards required.
• Provide operational and motivational leadership of staff.
• Ensure all Member queries about service delivery are dealt with promptly and effectively.
• Advise and support senior managers on relevant service and operational matters.
• Support ways of working that ensure residents and stakeholders are actively engaged in the future of the function.

About you:

• Excellent staff management experience
• You will have sound practical highway/civil/structural engineering knowledge.
• You possess knowledge of NRSWA, street works, highways and other relevant legislation and associated health and safety requirements.
• You have good working knowledge of asset management, prioritising and programming of schemes.
• You will be a Chartered/Incorporated Engineer with at least 5 years relevant engineering experience post qualification or hold an appropriate professional qualification with 15 years relevant experience.
• You will have extensive experience in a highway/civil/structural engineering role at a similar level

Please review the attached Job Profile for the full details on this varied role.

If you have the skills we are looking for and would like the challenge of taking on this unique opportunity, please follow the steps below to apply.

How to apply?

Please register, submit your CV and a supporting statement addressing how you meet the requirements of this role. If you are having difficulty in applying online, please contact the Recruitment Team at recruitment@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk to see if we can offer alternative arrangements for you to apply.

Why choose us?

In return, we can offer you working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance.  These include a range of flexible working options and a generous holiday allowance of 32 days plus bank holidays. 

In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts at many leisure activities, restaurants, shops, and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities are also offered.

Richmond and Wandsworth are currently reviewing our pay, reward and benefits framework, in partnership with Trade Union colleagues. We are developing different options that make sure we have a fair and transparent system in place.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date: 15^th October 2023

Shortlisting Date: 22^nd October 2023

Interview Date: from 29^th October 2023

Useful Information:

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer Important 

Important information 

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils