The role

Southwark Council is embarking on a number of ambitious regeneration projects including Old Kent Road, Aylesbury, Elephant & Castle and Canada Water. And you can be a part of this unique challenge.

The Highway Development Team contribute to the overall Highway Authority’s response to planning enquiries and applications ensuring that suitable arrangements are put in place to mitigate any adverse effects and maximise street scene improvement. The Highway Development Team also ensure that all highway projects are dealt with, from developers and others, and meet the council’s highway design standards by managing their progress through design review process, ensuring a high quality of public realm.

Taking on highways infrastructure services and projects, you will design and deliver these projects to an agreed timescale and within budget. Overseeing the work of contractors, you will ensure they meet your high standards and that all elements of the project are meeting appropriate regulations and health and safety standards. You will also take charge of a programme of maintenance programmes throughout the year and conduct surveys and site inspections, applying your knowledge of the latest developments in the field of engineering.

When you take on a role in the Highways Team, you can expect to work on huge schemes that will define not just London, but the careers of those entrusted with them too. And this role is most definitely career-defining.

What we’re looking for:

HNC or NHD in Engineering, a recognised degree in a relevant discipline and professional membership of an engineering institution.
Experience of overseeing responsive maintenance plans and of delivering projects that are in line with Construction Design and Management 2015 regulations.
Experience in the design of engineering works including identification of technical options.
Knowledge of current street scene and transport infrastructure issues in the UK and London and an understanding of how these will impact on the Council.
Evidence of continuous professional development and outstanding knowledge of all relevant regulations and standards including NRWSA, HAUC and Health and Safety.
Good IT skills including an intermediate level of bespoke design and engineering related software.
The ability to develop and mentor junior members of staff.
Solid verbal, written and numerical skills.

Why Southwark?

We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises and we have a young, diverse, and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities.  Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.

Employee benefits:

You’ll join a motivated, driven, and supportive team that values each of its members and strives for excellence. You’ll also be part of a successful, high-achieving development team making a real difference to the lives of residents across the borough. In return for all your hard work, skills and experience, you will receive:

A competitive base salary (pro rata for part time staff)
Strong supportive senior management team
Regular one to one supervision
Professional development & training opportunities
Clear career development pathways
Agile and flexible working arrangements
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Season ticket and cycle loans
Annual Leave starting at 29 days per year, increasing to 37 (with length of service) (pro rata for part time staff)
Wellbeing programme
HSF Health plan and eye care scheme
EAP employee assistance programme, confidential counselling and support
Social clubs and staff groups

Additional details

Full time, 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday. This role offers a flexible hybrid working arrangement, with time split between working from home and our Tooley Street offices a minimum of 3 days per week.

Disability Confident (guaranteed interview) scheme:

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

Recruitment timetable

Closing date: 27th July 2026 at 23:59*

*We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, in which case we will move the key dates for the process. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Interview date: 19th August 2026

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Attachments

Click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification