About the role
The Highways team provide statutory services that all residents of North Northamptonshire use. The Highways team is responsible for providing a safe road network that operates efficiently and effectively, providing strategic direction for the future development of highways assets, public transport, active travel and all road users, being mindful of budget constraints, legislation and the sustainability agenda.
The role sits within the Highways Contract Team. This team manages the highway maintenance term services contract as well as work procured through the contract for other clients within the Council. The team is responsible for delivering the highway maintenance term service contract, which includes the transport capital programme and a range of public realm and Section 106 funded projects.
This post directly supports the Highways Service Manager, as defined in the NEC4 Term Service Contract, who manages all aspects of Highways Service delivery included in the Highways Services contract.
The post holder will be a Quantity Surveyor with well-established skills in reviewing bills of quantities, pricing reviews, reviewing monthly payment applications from the Contractor and agreeing new rates. They will have experience of assessing details within the Contractor’s Annual Plan, evaluating business cases and managing contract changes. Knowledge of maintenance and construction techniques and knowledge of plant, labour and material pricing is also required.
They will support the Service Manager in formally representing the Client in managing the Contract. They will provide support to the Service Manager managing the capital and revenue highway maintenance budgets. They will advise and assist colleagues from other teams and departments within the council who carry out work through the contract.
For an informal discussion about the role or to find out more information, please contact Philip Beecroft, Head of Highways Delivery at philip.beecroft@northnorthants.gov.uk
What will you be doing?
You will be carrying out the following tasks
Support the Highways Service Manager with the drafting, checking and approval of Task Orders.
Support the Highways Service Manager in assessing the Contractor’s monthly applications for payment and the preparation of Payment Certificates.
Liaise with the Highways Service Manager, Contract Engineers and Contract Inspector to confirm all staff, materials, plant and equipment agrees with the Contractor’s assessment of Defined Costs.
Work with the Contractor to develop accurate monthly forecasting of future expenditure on highway maintenance works.
Support the Highways Service Manager in assessing each annual final account.
Through reconciliation of applications, assist the Highways Service Manager to ensure quality and best value services are being delivered to the Council by the Contractor.
Support the Highways Service Manager in the assessment of Early Warning Notices and Compensation Events, liaising with the wider team as necessary.
Attend the fortnightly contract Commercial meetings and Delivery Group meetings.
Attend Risk Reduction meetings.
Collate monthly, quarterly and annual performance data to check the Contractor’s monthly KPI submission.
Assist the Highways Service Manager with monitoring and review of the Contractor’s performance and the day-to-day management of the term service contract to ensure it is providing the service required.
Provide expert advice on contract variations to ensure they meet the commercial constraints of the Contract and needs of the authority.
About you
You will be an experienced qualified Quantity Surveyor with a highway maintenance and project delivery background with a degree in quantity surveying, Construction Management, or related field.
You will be able to demonstrate a proven track record in cost management, contract administration, and risk management along with a strong knowledge of construction contracts, contract law, and regulations with a particular focus on NEC4 conrtracts.
Our benefits
We offer:
- a competitive salary
- a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
- opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
- generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
- agile and flexible working arrangements to help you with a healthy work-life balance.
About us
We are a new unitary council, established in April 2021; we are one of the largest unitary councils in the country. Our vision for North Northants is to be 'A place where everyone has the best opportunities and quality of life'.
Our priorities are:
- helping people live active fulfilled lives
- caring for our young people, providing them with high quality education and opportunities
- enabling a thriving and successful economy
- leading on a green and sustainable environment
- ensuring our communities are connected so they can shape their lives and where they live
- providing modern public services
Our values, as chosen by our staff, are - Customer-focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive and Trustworthy.
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