Director of Highways, Transport & Infrastructure

Westmorland and Furness Council
£101,702 - £113,010
Hackney

Westmorland & Furness is one of England’s newest unitary authorities, established in 2023 and covering a stunning geography from Barrow-in-Furness to Penrith, taking in Kendal and the surrounding Lake District communities. Three years on, the Council is a stable and established organisation now embarking on a council-wide transformation journey following the appointment of a new Chief Executive in January 2026. This is an area with real growth potential alongside the distinct challenges of rurality and a visitor economy that brings around 40 million visitors to Cumbria each year.

THE ROLE

As Director of Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, you will lead a substantial portfolio covering highways, network management, transport, active travel and flood and coastal risk management. You will be the Council’s strategic lead as Highway Authority, Traffic Authority and Lead Local Flood Authority, reporting to the Strategic Director of Communities, Place and Economy, with a corporate leadership role across the wider organisation.

The service is in a strong position with a well established highways function and an experienced team delivering effectively. You will inherit a substantial capital programme alongside additional funding to invest, and the near-term agenda is about making the most of that investment while reviewing the supplier base and ensuring the team is structured for future delivery. Flood and coastal risk offers the greatest scope for improvement, with genuine opportunity around coastal schemes and natural flood management in a county where severe weather carries real political and community attention.

There is significant opportunity beyond the Council’s own boundaries. The Cumbria Combined Authority will elect its first Mayor in May 2027, and devolution opens up real scope to do things differently on transport, buses and sustainable travel, supported by a minimum of £333 million over thirty years through the Mayoral Investment Fund. You will work closely with the CA to ensure the Council’s priorities are taken forward, alongside partners including Cumberland Council, the national parks and the visitor economy partnership. In Barrow, the Team Barrow partnership with BAE Systems and government, backed by a £220 million transformation fund, includes major plans for transport and infrastructure that will shape the town’s future.

We are looking for someone who combines strategic credibility with the ability to lead and engage a large operational workforce, and who can work confidently with elected members and regional partners. We welcome candidates from local government, National Highways, Network Rail, combined authorities, sub-national transport bodies and the private sector, provided you can demonstrate the political awareness the role requires

INFORMATION

For further details, please click on the role profile and useful links below. For more information please contact Tim Farr (07756 293292 / tim.farr@starfishsearch.com) or John Pease (07511 106 753 / john.pease@starfishsearch.com). Use the 'Click Here' button below to visit the Westmorland and Furness District Council website and learn more.

ROLE PROFILE     STRUCTURE CHART     CLICK HERE
Timeline

Closing date: 25th October 2026

Longlisting (applicants not required): 28th October 2026

Technical interviews (via Teams): 2nd November 2026

Shortlisting (applicants not required): 2nd November 2026

Psychometric assessments: w/c 9th November 2026

Final interviews (on site, Kendal Town Hall): 24th November 2026

How to apply

To make an application, please click on the apply now button below, with the following prepared:

  • Your CV (no more than three sides of A4).
  • A supporting statement (no more than three sides of A4) that sets out why you think this role is the right move for you and how you meet the knowledge and experience criteria.

If our client is a member of the Disability Confident Scheme and you would like to apply under the scheme, please state that clearly at the top of your supporting statement, along with any adjustments you require to be made if invited for interview.

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