Improvements Manager – Strategic Road Network

ID 3444

The Welsh Government operates name-free recruitment. The recruiting panel will not see personal information such as a candidate’s name and address during the sifting process. This policy is in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity.

Vacancy details

Improvements Manager – Strategic Road Network  

13/02/2026, 16:00 

Permanent
A starting salary between £47,675 and £56,445 will be offered to the successful candidate based on their skills, knowledge, experience and performance at interview. This range is not negotiable. The pay scale of this role has a salary band between £47,675 and £56,445 in 4 annual increments. Pay progression is based on annual incremental advance to the next point on the scale (awarded subject to satisfactory performance) until the employee reaches the target rate
SEO £47,675 to £56,445
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Economy, Energy and Transport
Transport and Digital Connectivity
Highways
Pan Wales

‘Pan Wales’ means the post holder can be based in any Welsh Government office, subject to business needs.

A list of the Welsh Government’s offices can be found on www.gov.wales/welsh-government-offices. Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location.

The post holder’s travel from their home to their assigned Welsh Government office is considered their ‘ordinary commute’ and must be done in their own time and at their own cost.

The Strategic Road Network (SRN) is one of Wales’ most vital infrastructure assets, valued at 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, enabling economic growth, and ensuring 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’ll 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, inclusive team and help shape the future of the SRN—making a real difference to people’s lives, connectivity, and the Welsh economy.

 

What You’ll Be Doing

As part of the Network Management function, you’ll help plan, operate, maintain, and improve the SRN on behalf of Welsh Ministers. This includes delivering targeted programmes that:

  • Improve network resilience
  • Reduce congestion
  • Enhance air quality
  • Address safety and accessibility challenges

All work is aligned with Welsh Government policy, including Llwybr Newydd: The Wales Transport Strategy 2021, the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, and our environmental improvement commitments.

 

Improvements Manager – Key Focus

In this role, you’ll lead the development and delivery of targeted improvement programmes to address congestion hotspots and upgrade key sections of the SRN. You’ll be responsible for:

  • Appraising and prioritising schemes using robust evidence to support investment decisions
  • Delivering measurable benefits for communities, the economy, the environment, and public health
  • Collaborating across asset classes and with delivery partners to ensure joined-up planning and efficient delivery
  • Managing strategic interfaces—including highway boundaries, ownership, and relationships with local authorities and private landowners—to protect the operational integrity of the SRN

 

Why Join Us?

We’re 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’ll be joining a team that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, and where your work will have a tangible impact on Wales’ transport future.

 

 

  • Drive meaningful change by leading the development and delivery of strategic upgrade and pinch point improvement programmes, applying the principles of the Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance (WelTAG).
  • Shape delivery excellence by preparing and managing briefs for trunk road agents and consultants, ensuring high standards, value for money, and timely outcomes.
  • Support informed decision-making through effective programme performance management, reporting, and preparation of ministerial briefings, aligned with Welsh Government governance and investment frameworks.
  • Champion environmental responsibility by overseeing Strategic Road Network (SRN) air quality monitoring and interventions, and managing complex issues around highway boundaries, ownership, and stakeholder interfaces.
  • Maximise impact by appraising and prioritising schemes using robust evidence, ensuring resources are targeted where they deliver the greatest public benefit.
  • Foster collaboration across asset classes—such as road safety, pavements, drainage, and intelligent transport systems (ITS)—and with delivery partners to enable integrated planning and delivery.
  • Lead procurement processes for surveys, studies, and technical support, working closely with Transport for Wales to ensure alignment and avoid duplication.
  • Represent Welsh Government at stakeholder engagement sessions, technical forums, and WelTAG workshops, building trust and consensus.
  • Promote innovation by advocating for sustainable construction methods, digital tools, and integrated project delivery approaches that support long-term resilience and efficiency.

Joining the Strategic Road Network Division means being part of a team that’s at the heart of delivering high-impact infrastructure across Wales. We offer:

 

  • Exposure to nationally significant programmes that tackle congestion, improve connectivity, and shape the future of transport in Wales.
  • Opportunities to work directly with Ministers, senior Welsh Government officials, and strategic partners across the UK—giving you insight into policy-making and delivery at the highest level.
  • Professional growth and development, including advanced skills in programme management, investment appraisal, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Opportunity to gain experience in integrated transport policy delivery and sustainable infrastructure planning.
  • A supportive and inclusive team environment, where diversity is valued and everyone is encouraged to thrive. You’ll have access to mentoring, peer learning, and tailored development opportunities to help you grow in your role and beyond.

·       A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months. 

·       This is a Pan-Wales role and can be based at any Welsh Government office. The successful candidate will be expected to attend their nearest office regularly (approximately 2 days a week) and undertake site visits (average of 1 a month) as a part of their role. 

 

In the event of two or more candidates having the same total score, the following merit order will be applied:

 

·       Experience

·       Technical

·       Review sift score

·       Making Effective Decisions

·       Seeing the Big Picture


 



Basic
1
EST-NMDMailbox@Gov.Wales

Welsh language requirements

3 - Welsh language skills are not essential for this post, they are however desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.
0 - No skills
0 - No skills
0 - No skills
0 - No skills

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

The Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our AI candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection Process and Stages

Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

The selection process and stages are:

Number of Stages:2 stage process
Stage 1Application Form
Stage 2Interview

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these Behaviour criteria during the selection process.

Seeing the Big Picture

Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public sector agenda.
This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Making Effective Decisions 

Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice
This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Experience

We'll assess you against the following Experience criteria during the assessment process.
Experience questions

  • Experience of successfully managing the development and delivery of highway upgrade or improvement programmes with alignment to relevant policy and appraisal processes.

This will be tested at Stage 1: Application Form
This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Technical

We'll assess the following Technical skills during the selection process.

Technical Criteria being assessed:
Understanding of highway asset management and improvement schemes, including knowledge of road safety and network operation principles.

Case Study: Application Stage
You’ve joined a team leading the development and delivery of a targeted highway improvement scheme to tackle congestion and improve safety on a key route within the Strategic Road Network. The scheme involves junction enhancements, resurfacing, and measures to improve pedestrian accessibility. You’ll play a key role in shaping and delivering the scheme, working closely with consultants, internal teams, and local authorities to achieve effective outcomes.

What factors would you consider when contributing to the planning and delivery of this highway improvement scheme to ensure it achieves its objectives effectively and efficiently?

Please ensure you demonstrate your understanding of highway asset management and improvement schemes, including knowledge of road safety and network operation principles when responding to this question.

This will be tested at stage 1: Application Form
This will be tested at stage 2: Interview

Eligibility

You will be asked about your nationality and if you are legally allowed to work in the United Kingdom. This is to find out if you are eligible to apply for this vacancy. This is a requirement for working within the Civil Service. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria your application will not progress. If it becomes clear at a later stage in the process that you are not eligible to apply, your application may be withdrawn, or the offer retracted.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:
• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) 
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Social Model of Disability

Welsh Government has adopted the social model of disability, which recognises that barriers in society act to disable people who have impairments, or health conditions, who are neurodivergent or who use British Sign Language.

We are committed to removing barriers in the recruitment process so that all (or potential new) staff can perform at their best.

Recruitment adjustments can be made at any part of the recruitment process for candidates with an impairment or health condition, who are neurodivergent or who use British Sign Language. 

Please get in touch with DiversityInRecruitment@gov.wales to discuss adjustments for any part of the process.

Inclusive Interview Schemes

We are committed to inclusive recruitment and offer interviews to eligible candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role through the following schemes:

Disability Confident

The Welsh Government is a Disability Confident Leader. As part of our commitment to this scheme we interview any candidate with an impairment, health condition, who is neurodivergent or who uses British Sign Language if they meet the minimum criteria for the post.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The Welsh Government operates the Great Place to Work for Veterans Initiative. As part of our commitment to this scheme we interview any eligible candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the post.

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service employers can offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of civil servants who are at risk of redundancy and who meet the minimum criteria for the post
By ‘minimum criteria’ we mean that candidates must provide us with evidence in their application (and/or test) that they meet the minimum level of competence for the role - usually defined as a minimum score of 4 per criterion.

Social Partnership

In Welsh Government, the relationship between the employer and trade unions is based on social partnership. We believe our goals can best be achieved by management and trade unions working together.

Our 3 recognised trade unions are:
• PCS
• Prospect
• FDA

This relationship is underpinned by a partnership agreement. This sets out how our unions work with Welsh Government on issues such as:
• Pay
• Terms and conditions
• HR Strategy, policies and procedures
• Health, safety and well-being
• Organisational change

Our Welsh Government trade union colleagues work together to give their members a real say in the workplace. They make sure that the interests of their members are promoted and protected. They also help reduce inequalities and improve terms and conditions.

The Welsh Government has an excellent track record of working in partnership with its trade unions. We support you to join a recognised trade union, to ensure your voice is heard in the workplace. We encourage you to learn more about our trade unions, partnership working and to get involved in their work.

Benefits

All Welsh Government staff are members of the Civil Service, and as a result are eligible for:

  • Civil Service Pension Scheme
  • 31 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time)
  • training and development opportunities
  • Cycle2Work Scheme
  • Smart Working flexible working arrangement
  • Green Car Scheme (subject to availability)

If you are an active Civil Service Pension member you can continue your membership throughout your employment with us.

Recruitment principles and complaints

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Please see the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles on the Commission's website.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email complaints@gov.wales. Please ensure that you refer to the vacancy reference number.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Welsh Government, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: info@csc.gov.uk.

All applications for this vacancy must be made using our online application system.

Unless stated otherwise in the 'Other vacancy-related information for advert', the Welsh Government cannot offer Visa sponsorship. Welsh Government holds a Visa sponsorship licence, but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

Applications are welcomed from people with a diverse range of lived and professional experiences. We are actively committed to becoming an increasingly diverse organisation which represents the diverse communities we serve. There are a number of Diversity networks that staff can participate in, which include the Disability Awareness and Support Staff Network; Minority Ethnic Staff Network; Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (LGBTI+), Women Together and the Neurodivergence Network.

If you have an impairment which prevents you from applying online, please email our recruitment team.You can:

  • request an application pack in an alternative format
  • request a recruitment adjustment to help you submit your application

Use the 'Apply' button to submit your application. You will be asked to register if you don't have an account or sign in if you do. Registration takes a few minutes and you will need an email address.

You should check your Application Centre regularly for updates to your application.  Please also check your spam/junk folder in case any communication regarding your application and/or assessment details finds its way there. 

Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form. You must complete this and submit it before the deadline on the closing date. We will not consider an incomplete application form.

If you would like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the Change Language link on this page.  We welcome applications in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.

Please see the candidate guidance for more information on the recruitment process.

For information on Civil Service Success Profiles please click here.

For TS to G6 recruitment schemes: When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.

This opportunity is closed to applications.