Job Description

How you'll make a difference

As the Structures Manager, you will lead the management and maintenance of our highway and open space structures portfolio. including bridges, retaining walls, culverts, road restraint systems, geotechnical and other critical assets. This is a key leadership role within our Place Operations team, ensuring the safety, resilience and sustainability of the network and you will oversee strategy and policy for all highway and open space structures as well as technically advising other teams in all aspects of structural engineering. 

Responsible for the financial management of the highway and open space structures capital programmes of up to £3million per year, you will form part of a team that are delivering an ambitious programme of £150m infrastructure improvements through initiatives such as CRSTS, playing a vital role in shaping safe and sustainable transport systems for our communities.

What you will be doing

• It will be your responsibility to lead a team of senior engineers, engineers and technicians, providing technical guidance and support. You will also give multi-disciplinary team advice on planning issues for major infrastructure projects where structures assets are involved.
• You will manage and protect council assets across all aspects of day-to-day service provision, including overseeing inspection, maintenance and improvement programmes for all highway and open space structures, along with geotechnical assets and matters pertaining to enforcement.
• Developing and delivering capital and revenue programmes, you will plan and manage revenue and capital budgets, ensuring compliance with national standards, codes of practice, and health and safety legislation.
• Managing contractors and external stakeholders, you will oversee routine programmes of works as well as one off specific projects which can involve cross boundary working and funding from regional agencies.
• You will lead on strategic planning for asset management and lifecycle planning relating to structures and geotechnical assets. In addition to this you will be the responsible officer for all technical approvals, as the Technical Approval Authority.

As the strategic lead, you will be the designated Bridge Manager for South Gloucestershire Council and act as the Bridge Strike Champion, with the expectation to represent the council at regional and national levels.

What we need from you

• It is essential that you hold a Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering and be Chartered or Incorporated Engineer (ICE or IStructE).
• We require you to have a management qualification at NVQ 4 level or equivalent, alongside leadership experience, focusing on delivery with the ability to coach individuals, develop a team and ensure performance in a positive way.
• You will have a strong knowledge of highway structures, inspection regimes, and maintenance techniques and an in-depth knowledge of structures issues both locally and nationally.
• It is essential that you can manage projects with considerable financial and commercial acumen and have experience of managing large budgets.
• You must have experience of developing and maintaining complex partnerships and able to influence stakeholders and build relationships at a senior and management level.
• Having knowledge of specialist structural design and assessment software packages, you will be familiar with asset management software such as AMX and experience in development of the software to meet the needs of the authority. 

What you need to know

Interviews will be held on on the 15th and 16th of January 2026. 

How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different

• As part of our benefits package, you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.  
• We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.    
• We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps make the greatest long-term difference in work.   

Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.    

• We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of.   
• We're planning for the future; building and improving the roads, railways, schools, green spaces, and houses.   
• We’re providing essential services across our communities to ensure they are safe and well maintained.   

We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.

We’re making a difference, be part of it!

To view the full job description, please click this link: Structures Manager job description