Senior Planning Manager (Governance & Performance)

About the job. 

We're recruiting a Senior Planning Manager (Governance & Performance) to join our Spatial Planning central team in the Network Development Division. This role can be based in Birmingham, Bristol, Guildford, Leeds or Manchester.

In this exciting new role, you'll lead our Spatial Planning Governance & Performance function, helping to shape the frameworks, standards and processes that support National Highways' Spatial Planning service. Working across teams and with a wide range of stakeholders, you'll set the direction for governance, resource planning, performance and reporting, enabling consistent, transparent and well-informed decision-making across the organisation.

• Oversee the delivery of Spatial Planning governance across National Highways, including the National Spatial Planning Board and wider governance forums and communities. 


• Set and maintain the organisation-wide approach to triaging spatial planning applications and reviews, ensuring they are assessed consistently, efficiently and in line with agreed policies. 


• Define and regularly review performance expectations for the Spatial Planning function, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives, statutory requirements and business priorities.


• Develop and deliver forward-looking resource plans, enabling  teams across the function to plan the capability and capacity to respond to demand across regions and work types. 


• Provide inclusive leadership to the Governance & Performance team, developing capability, managing performance and creating a high-performing team with the skills and expertise needed to succeed.

About you. 

• A proven background in civil engineering, transport planning or project management.


• Experience working within an infrastructure projects environment, with the ability to combine strategic thinking with effective operational delivery.


• Proven leadership skills, with the ability to build capability, support professional growth and foster effective team performance.


• Ability to influence and build relationships with senior stakeholders, and lead cross-organisational boards, forums or governance groups.


• Demonstrable understanding of spatial planning processes, governance and performance frameworks, with the ability to apply these in a complex organisational environment.

About us.

Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England’s motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this, are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership.   

The Customer, Strategy, and Communications directorate is essential to National Highways. We guide the direction of the strategic road network, helping the company deliver economic and social benefits by meeting the needs of our customers, clients, and fulfilling regulatory requirements. As the central hub within National Highways, we provide the corporate strategic planning function for the organisation.   

External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy. 

We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.