Senior Network Strategy Manager

Role: Senior Network Strategy Manager

Location: Manchester

Position: Permanent

Start: Immediate

Work pattern: Full time

Job Purpose

To provide strategic direction for the company through the effective management of key activities to develop, evolve and maintain a Network Strategy and Masterplan for the Strategic Road Network (SRN) for the period up to 2050. This will involve leading our partners strategic approach pertaining to Digital Roads, management of specialist research, studies and development of strategies to inform the future vision and Master Plan for the SRN. In pursuing this role, the post holder will keep abreast of the latest technological, environmental, economic, demographic trends and scenarios and how they should influence Highways England approach to long-term planning of the SRN.

The post holder will be required to work across all Directorates in commissioning and managing further insight work into key trends, scenarios and producing the vision and strategic framework for the Company to follow.

Acting as the main conduit for the Company, the post holder will draw upon all internal and external input to ensure an innovative and transformational long-term vision, Network Strategy and Master Plan is in place and is periodically refreshed, which influences future investment and long-term network delivery by the Company.

Key Accountabilities

• The post holder will develop the strategic direction for Digital Roads, the 2050 Vision, Network Strategy and Masterplan, and where necessary commission further research and studies to develop a deeper understanding of the implications of external factors and trends. In refreshing the 2050 Vision and Masterplan, the post holder will take full account of the work undertaken on Digital Roads, Major Road Network (MRN), Route Strategies, Strategic Studies, Strategic Economic Growth Plan (SEGP) and other key relevant internal and external strategies and integrate the key findings and messages into the National Network Strategy. The post holder will be required to work closely with the Department for Transport to ensure strategic alignment.

• The post holder will keep abreast of the latest developments that impact upon Digital Roads, the 2050 Vision and Masterplan and where necessary test various scenarios, including advising the Network Planning Director and Head of Strategic Planning through intelligent interpretation of new course of actions required in the light of the above. The post holder will be required to work with all relevant government departments to understand policy directives and inform future horizon scanning and scenario development.

• To manage multi-disciplinary teams across the Company and relationships with key external stakeholders, bringing together existing and newly commissioned evidence and strategies in a manner which provides both national and sub-regional perspective to the development of network strategy. Job Title Senior Network Strategy Manager Reports to Job Title Head of Strategic Planning Division and Directorate Strategy and Planning Job Reference 22409A

• Working jointly with all Directorates, the post holder will directly lead on key project initiatives and commission other parts of business to ensure studies, strategies and research projects are progressed and inform future investment planning.

• Working corporately across the Company, the post holder will develop an overall proposition and advise areas for inclusion pertinent to investment planning in the context of the implementation of Digital Roads, the long-term 2050 Vision and Network Strategy. The post holder will also influence and help shape the opportunities arising from future Road Investment Strategies and the role innovative funding models can play in the implementation of the long-term Network Strategy.

• To develop and deliver simultaneous projects to budget and to time as allocated to this role in advancing the objectives of the Network Planning Division. The post holder will be required to secure approval to procure and contract manage external commissions associated with the role, including managing multi-disciplinary project teams and co-ordinating cross Directorate working groups (e.g. Digital Roads Design Authority).

People management responsibilities

• Planning Manager - Network Strategy - 2 - Direct
• Assistant Planning Manager - Network Strategy - 1 - Direct

Budget management responsibilities

• £2m in technical consultancy support

Key contacts/relationships/stakeholders managed (including level of these)

• Executive Director - Strategy and Planning
• HE Executive Directors and Senior Management from HE Directorates
• Strategy and Planning Senior Management
• External stakeholders and partners including car manufacturers and key technology players and academia
• Government Departments as appropriate
• Internal stakeholders
• Transport Focus, ORR, Sub-national Transport Bodies, Combined Authorities
• Digital Roads Design Authority

Person Specification

Business Knowledge and Experience

• A working knowledge of Department for Transport (DfT) Road Investment Strategy and Highways England's Licence
• A deep understanding of the requirements of Highways England in terms of long-term strategic planning
• An understanding of how Highways England operates across all of its directorates and an ability to identify strategic alignment with studies, strategies and research projects led by the Directorate
• A comprehensive understanding of future trends in transport operation and delivery
• Actively build and maintain a network of key contacts to achieve progress on objectives and shared interests
• Identify implications of Departmental and political priorities and strategy on own area to ensure plans and activities reflect these
• Visible to staff and stakeholders and regularly undertake activities to engage and build trust with people involved in area of work-
• Identify capability requirements needed to deliver future team objectives and manage team resources to meet these needs
• Exemplify positive customer service behaviours and promote a culture focused on ensuring customer needs are met
• Identify the main issues in complex problems, clarify understanding or stakeholder expectations, to seek best option. Weigh up data from various sources, recognising when to bring in experts/researchers to add to available information.
• Question and challenge the value being delivered through commercial arrangements with delivery partners.
• Encourage a culture of innovation focused on adding value - give people space to think creatively

Functional / Technical Skills

• Knowledge of the role infrastructure plays at all levels in facilitating strategic development
• Capability to work in a complex, customer facing environment to deliver successful outcomes
• Strong capability to operate strategically at national and/or sub-national level in strategic development or related environment
• Evidence of successful working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders at a senior level to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes
• Strong experience of working successfully in a Programme or Project Management environment
• Experience in the strategic transport development and/or development management sector
• Educated to a degree level and preferably to postgraduate level or equivalent
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills and the confidence to challenge others, including senior colleagues, where necessary
• Knowledge and appreciation of the wider levers that support effective investment delivery e.g. planning, public/private funding, other Government support mechanisms and interventions.

The recruiter has stated that all applicants for this job should be able to prove they are legally entitled to work in the UK. Carbon60 is a trading name of Carbon60 Limited an Employment Business/Agency.