Asset Management Senior Engineer

Permanent

Full Time, 37 hours per week

£46,006 to £54,125 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date: 20th May 2026

Essex Highways (EH) manages and maintains one of the largest highway networks in the country, operating as a delivery partnership between Essex County Council (ECC) and its contractual partner. Working collaboratively across this partnership, the service is focused on providing a safe, sustainable and effective highway network for all users, delivering planned works and services, and meeting the vision, priorities and policies of ECC. Central to this is strong asset management, informed programme and scheme development, effective stakeholder engagement, and the provision of a first-class service to customers.

Within this context, the post holder will play a key role in shaping how Essex Highways operates by leading the creation and review of policies and strategies that govern the service. The role is responsible for producing business cases and reports for ECC’s Highways Commissioning service, responding to Department for Transport information requests to support incentivised funding, and providing robust insight into network condition and performance to help secure long-term funding and resilience.

The post holder will also have line management responsibility, ensuring effective performance management, development and day‑to‑day supervision within the team.

To read more about our business area, please visit Climate, Environment and Customer Services

Accountabilities

Responsible for the identification, design, planning, programming, ordering and monitoring of work and services, to ensure future programmes are delivered on time and within budget.
Responsible for providing specialist advice and guidance to senior leaders/members and the general public on all highway related matters, but particularly asset programmes, to meet relevant targets and deliver high performance standards.
Responsible for ensuring strong budgetary control and financial management is undertaken for areas of responsibility in order to deliver programmes of work within the allocated budgets.
Provide information to assist with the management and monitoring of the Essex Highways contract and work collaboratively with the others to ensure that they meet the service objectives.
Work closely with solicitors, the DfT, land agents and other statutory and non-statutory bodies to instruct Essex Legal Services, Place Service and Lambert, Smith and Hampton in the preparation of legal agreements, notices and licences.
Assist with the preparation of reports for projects; submitting these to Local Highways Panels and relevant Council Committees, attending some meetings to provide support.
Responsible for the day to day line management of a small team.

The Experience You Will Bring

Educated to RQF Level 6 (Degree) in related subject or equivalent proven experience in the field of highways and/or transportation.
Evidence of post qualification experience in the field of highways and transportation and project management and implementation.
Extensive knowledge and application of Highway legislation, Asset management principles and policies, Health and Safety legislation including Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, relevant design procedures and standards/practice.
Knowledge and experience of financial management and control measures.
Detailed knowledge and experience of a wide range of relevant asset management techniques and procedures including being fully conversant with the use of specialist software tools.
Ability to build and maintain effective internal and external working relationships and experience of dealing with members of the public.
Evidence of continuing professional development, and expert knowledge in relevant professional area with Membership of the Institute of Civil Engineers, Institute of Highways & Transportation, Institute of Highway Incorporated Engineers, or other appropriate professional body.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In March 2026, the Government announced that councils in Greater Essex will be reorganised into five new unitary authorities from April 2028. In addition to this, Greater Essex has been accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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