Highway Development Control Manager

Luton Homeless Partnership; Luton; On-site; GBP 53,000 - GBP 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking an experienced Highway Development Control Manager in Luton. The successful candidate will oversee planning applications affecting public highways, act as a technical advisor, and lead negotiations to ensure compliance with highway standards. Applicants should have substantial civil engineering experience and a relevant degree, alongside excellent communication skills. This permanent position offers a salary range of £53,460 - £56,681 plus car benefits, and a strong commitment to employee development and work-life balance.

Benefits

Annual leave up to 32 days

Career development pathways

Generous pension scheme

Relocation package up to £8,000

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible working options

Unlimited training access

Staff discounts on local services

Travel Club savings

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in civil engineering and highway legislation.
• Experience negotiating highway-related legal agreements.
• Ability to produce clear technical reports.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning application reviews impacting the highway.
• Act as a technical advisor for highway and transport.
• Lead negotiations on highway works agreements.
• Maintain highway and public rights-of-way records.
• Manage oversight of the Flood Risk and Resilience Manager.
• Contribute to the safety and functionality of the highway network.

Skills

Experience in Highway Development Control

Strong communication skills

Ability to manage multiple workstreams

Technical report writing

Education

Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent professional experience

Job description

Overview

Hours per week: 37. Contract type: Permanent. We are seeking an experienced and knowledgeable Highway Development Control Manager to play a key role in shaping development that impacts the public highway.

Salary: £53,460 - £56,681 a year plus £3,203 car benefit allowance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day review of planning applications and provide clear, well-reasoned written responses on proposals that affect the public highway.
• Act as a trusted technical advisor, offering expert highway and transport advice to planning case officers and the Development Management Committee, and support the authority through meetings and planning appeals.
• Lead negotiations with developers and development partners on agreements under Sections 38 and 278 of the Highways Act 1980, and Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to ensure highway works are delivered to required standards and in the public interest.
• Provide strategic oversight by updating and maintaining adopted highway and public rights-of-way records, ensuring accuracy and compliance with statutory requirements.
• Provide management oversight of the Flood Risk and Resilience Manager, supporting the integration of flood-risk considerations into the development control process.
• Contribute to delivering high-quality development that safeguards the safety, resilience, and functionality of the highway network.

About You

• Substantial experience in Highway Development Control and civil engineering, with a strong understanding of highway legislation and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience managing and negotiating highway-related legal agreements and advising on the adoption of new highway infrastructure.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams, produce clear and concise technical reports, and apply sound professional judgement on complex issues.
• Strong communication and influencing skills to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including developers and contractors, ensuring compliance with highways, traffic management, and health and safety legislation.
• A degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent professional experience is essential.

About Us

Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no-one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents. The people of Luton depend heavily on this council – and that means our workforce. Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our borough.

Benefits

• From 25 to 32 days’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
• Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
• Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
• Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant
• Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
• Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
• Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part-time hours and alternative working patterns
• Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
• Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
• Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel

How To Apply

We understand that job applications take time and effort, but a high-quality application shows that you are professional with a good attention to detail. The recruiting manager may receive a number of applications for each job advertised so you want yours to stand out. Our How to apply page has more tips to help with your application.