4326 - Highways Improvements Manager – Strategic Road Network

The Strategic Road Network (SRN) is one of Wales’ most vital infrastructure assets, with an estimated asset value of approximately £21 billion. Although it makes up just 5% of the total road length, it carries around one-third of all road traffic, playing a key role in connecting communities, supporting the economy and providing access to essential services.

This post is part of a wider recruitment campaign to strengthen the Welsh Government’s Strategic Road Network Division. Over the coming months, we will be building a diverse and skilled team to enhance our capability as a highway authority, ensuring we continue to deliver safe, efficient and sustainable transport infrastructure across Wales. This is an exciting opportunity to join a delivery-focused and inclusive team and help shape the future of the SRN. Your work will make a real difference to people’s lives, network resilience and the Welsh economy.

What You’ll Be Doing

As part of the Network Management function, you’ll help plan, maintain and improve the Strategic Road Network (SRN) on behalf of Welsh Ministers.

You’ll lead the development of targeted improvement programmes that respond to identified network needs and deliver better outcomes for road users, communities and the wider transport network. This includes interventions designed to:

• Improve network resilience and reliability
• Reduce congestion and address known pinch points
• Improve air quality and environmental performance
• Address safety, accessibility and operational challenges
• Make best use of the existing network through proportionate, evidence-led investment

Your work will support Welsh Government priorities, such as policies and Programme for Government (PfG) commitments.

Key Focus

In this role, you’ll lead the identification, development, appraisal and prioritisation of targeted improvements across the SRN.

You’ll use evidence to understand network problems, develop proportionate interventions and ensure investment is directed towards interventions that provide the greatest overall public benefit.

You’ll work closely with trunk road agents, Transport for Wales, consultants, local authorities and other delivery partners to develop coordinated solutions and ensure improvement proposals are integrated with wider asset, safety and operational priorities.

You’ll also manage important strategic interfaces, including highway boundaries, land ownership and relationships with local authorities and private landowners, helping protect the effective operation and long-term integrity of the SRN.

Why Join Us?

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. You will be joining a team that values collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement, and where your work will play a central role in protecting the resilience, safety and environmental performance of Wales’ Strategic Road Network.

You’ll also benefit from an exceptional employee package. As a Welsh Government employee, you’ll be automatically enrolled into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, which offers one of the most generous employer contribution rates in the UK (28.97% employer contribution), providing long‑term financial security that is difficult to match elsewhere. You’ll work a 37 hour week, enjoying 31 days of annual leave plus bank and privilege holidays, alongside flexible working arrangements and a hybrid working approach designed to support wellbeing, work‑life balance and productivity. We also offer a range of additional benefits, including cycle and green car schemes, discounted rail season tickets, and access to wellbeing and employee support programmes. For more information, visit Pay, pensions and benefits , GOV.WALES

• Lead the development of SRN improvements by identifying network needs and progressing targeted improvements and pinch-point interventions through the appropriate stages of development and appraisal, applying Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance (WelTAG) where required.
• Appraise and prioritise investment using robust evidence, risk, benefits, deliverability and value for money to ensure resources are directed towards interventions that provide the greatest public benefit.
• Commission and manage technical delivery and procurement by preparing and overseeing briefs, surveys, studies and specialist support delivered by trunk road agents, Transport for Wales, consultants and other suppliers, ensuring outputs are technically robust, proportionate, timely and avoid unnecessary duplication.
• Manage programme performance and governance through effective monitoring, reporting and risk management, including the preparation of information and briefings to support senior management and ministerial decision-making.
• Coordinate across the SRN and manage key interfaces by working across disciplines including road safety, pavements, drainage, structures, ITS and environmental functions, while overseeing SRN air quality activity and managing highway boundaries, land ownership and stakeholder relationships.

Represent Welsh Government and drive continuous improvement through stakeholder engagement, technical forums and workshops, while promoting sustainable construction, digital approaches, collaborative delivery and whole-life value.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Job contact :

• Name : EST-NMDMailbox@Gov.Wales
• Email : EST-NMDMailbox@Gov.Wales

Recruitment team

• Email : ResourcingHub@gov.wales

Share this page

• Print
• Email
• Gmail
• Facebook
• LinkedIn