Job Description

Department: Communities, Economy and Transport

Grade: Local Managerial Grade 5

Responsible to: Assistant Director Operations & Contract Management

Responsible for: Highway Maintenance and Professional Services Contract, Highways Contract Management Group; Contract and Commercial Team, Performance and Service Development Team, Highway Asset Management, and Stakeholder and Engagement.

Purpose of the Role:

The Council’s Highways Service is responsible for the maintenance of 3375km of road and 2481km of footway and cycleway across the county. The service is delivered through an outsourced maintenance contract with Balfour Beatty Living Places that delivers a service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

As the Head of Service Highways you will act as the NEC Project Manager for the County Council’s Highway Maintenance and Professional Services  contract and carry out the duties defined by the NEC3 Engineering and Construction Contract.

You will contribute to achievement of East Sussex County Council objectives and effective management of the Department by leading, directing and motivating teams responsible for integrated delivery, planning and monitoring across a range of technical specialism. You will also proactively encourage support for objectives of East Sussex County Council with internal and external customers.

Key Tasks

• To act as the Project Manager for the County Council’s Highway Maintenance Term and Professional Services Contracts and carry out the duties defined by the NEC3 Engineering and Construction Contract;
• Responsible for the development and leadership of the new Executive Client Team including functions, budget control and contract management systems;
• To lead the staff consultation process, TUPE transfer of staff to the new service provider, and the establishment of a new Executive Client Team;
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of ESCC and consultant staff through the mobilisation period, post contract award and during the administration of the contract;
• Responsible for preparing and implementing a fully developed mobilisation plan for the new highways service, taking the lead role for ESCC to ensure all milestones are delivered during the mobilisation period including overseeing the demobilisation of the current contract;
• Administration of the Highway Maintenance Term and Professional Services Contracts as defined in the Contract having delegated authority of the Employer;
• Overall Project Management of the various client work strands including:
  • Agreement of annual Service Plans, Target Cost and Lump sum arrangements;
  • Development and management of the ESCC Asset Management Strategy
  • Client administration, audit and contract performance monitoring;
  • Relationship Management and Communications;
  • Management of Cost and Risk;
  • Delivery of Highway Service Outcomes;

• Reporting contract performance to senior management and Cabinet Members as required;
• Financial reporting and management of the Highways Service budget of circa £30m-£40m per annum;
• Ensure a contract communications and relationship strategy is produced and delivered to support effective engagement with the full range of stakeholders;
• Lead and manage the Executive Client Team of up to 30 staff (including 4 direct reports), including directing, developing, appraising and managing the client team staff to ensure agreed outcomes are consistently met; including preparation and implementation of a training and development plan for the Executive Client Team;
• Responsible for identifying and implementing the requisite IT system(s) to manage the new contract with priority given to Asset Management, Performance Management and Commercial Management
• Delivery of the Contract Key Performance Indicators.
• Development of contract performance management framework and performance indicators for both the new service provider and client team

GENERAL

• To apply consistently the principles of Equal Opportunities, as embodied in the policies and practices throughout the duties outlined above.
• To undertake available training opportunities and show a commitment to continuous development, to maximise your potential and ensure the efficient and effective delivery of County Council services.
• Undertake any other tasks commensurate with the grading of the post.

This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time when it was drawn up. Such duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.