Development & Adoptions Lead WMF2487i

The Cumbria County Council; Kendal, Penrith; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a Highway Consenting Team member to oversee compliance with highway projects and facilitate legal agreements. Ideal candidates should have highway asset management expertise and relevant qualifications. The role supports planning applications and works closely with developers and contractors. This position offers flexible working, competitive benefits including a pension scheme, and a supportive work culture focused on diversity.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Enhanced annual leave allowance

Various perks and discounts

Qualifications

• Experience managing complex highway issues.
• Ability to liaise with various departments and stakeholders.
• Experience with S38 and S278 legal agreements.

Responsibilities

• Lead team in reviewing compliance for highway projects.
• Advise on internal and external works on the highway.
• Support contractors during the construction phase.

Skills

Highway asset management

Commercial management

Financial management

Project management

Planning applications

Education

Relevant degree or NVQ level 5 in highway discipline

Job description

Job reference REQ00000019308 Date posted 05/12/2025 Application closing date 11/01/2026 Location Various Locations Salary 51,356.00 - 52,413.00 Package Blank Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Attachments Blank

Job description

Location: Barrow, Kendal or Penrith

Contract Type: Permanent

About this opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to work within the Thriving Places Directorate within the Highways Consenting Team at Westmorland and Furness Council.

The increase in new highway construction is having a direct impact on the highway service delivery in compliance with the Highways Act 1980 and the Councils role in facilitating and managing Section 38 Agreements (S38); which is the current method of adoption of highways associated with new developments under the Act and highway improvements; Section 278 Agreements (S278).

This role supports the Development and Adoptions manager leading the team providing the highway responses to planning applications, delivering and supervising Section 38 and Section 278 legal agreements; and oversees the development and management of the highways consenting service area.

As part of your role, you will;

• Leads, support and review compliance with the Council’s processes and procedures to enable new development related highway projects and highway adoption processes and leads reviews of these documents to ensure that they are continually fit for purpose.
• Leading, Liaise and advise various departments and partners, including developers and Highway Consultants, on issues relating to internal and external works on the highway and their impact on Westmorland and Furness’s highway network.
• You will lead and support others in the team to work with developers and highway consultants during the planning application process, detailed design and undertake design checks to facilitate highway developments in relation to Sections 38’s and S278’s. from pre-application stage where appropriate.
• Working with contractors up to completion of the construction phases in respect of delivering site inspections, agreeing remedial works and record keeping and reporting and data input using various software.
• Lead and manage the Local Highway Authority statutory response to planning applications.
• Ensure consistency in technical approval of both internal and external works programmes.

Who we are looking for…

The ideal candidate for this role will have worked in highway asset management, highway delivery or highway network management or have a commercial background.

A relevant degree or NVQ level 5 in an appropriate highway discipline is essential, as is experience of managing complex highway issues, commercial management, financial management, asset management, project management and working on planning applications and S38 & S278 legal agreements.

We are supportive of a hybrid approach to working, including working from home and from our offices in Penrith, Kendal and Barrow.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below documents:

• Post Specification
• Role Profile

Would you like more information? For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Stuart Braithwaite, Development & Adoptions Manager on [e-mail].

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 11/01/2026

Interview date: w/c 02/02/2026

We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews (however in person interviews are preferred). Options will be discussed with candidates once they have been invited to the interview stage of the process for this specific position, and if you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.

As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old, that meet the essential criteria for the role.