Director of Research and Innovation

About the job

At National Highways, we're shaping the future of transport through a transformative programme of research and implementing innovative approaches. We're recruiting a Director of Research and Innovation to set the strategic direction for how we develop and apply new knowledge, technologies and approaches that improve safety, mobility, sustainability and performance on the Strategic Road Network. 

The role is offered as a part-time opportunity working 4 days per week, but we welcome applications from those currently working full-time hours.

Working across government, industry, academia and international partners, you'll lead a nationally significant research and innovation portfolio, influence future transport priorities and ensure investment delivers meaningful value for customers, communities and the organisation. From building the evidence needed to inform strategic priorities to accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies and solutions, you'll play a pivotal role in addressing complex issues, shaping investment priorities and translating insight into practical improvements across the network.

This national-facing role can be based at any of National Highways’ UK offices. While regular travel across our network and occasional international travel form part of the role, we offer a flexible, hybrid working approach combining remote and office working. 

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for National Highways' research and innovation portfolio (totalling approximately £60m during this Road Investment Period), developing an evidence-based approach that delivers solutions to current and future business priorities.
• Act as the organisational sponsor for research and innovation activity, fostering collaboration across the company and with government, academia, industry and international partners.
• Lead the delivery and continual development of the Research and Innovation Approach, and translating this into investment that delivers measurable outcomes, benefits and long-term value.
• Establish effective governance, assurance and performance frameworks that support informed investment decisions and robust benefits realisation.
• Represent National Highways and the United Kingdom at senior national and international forums, influencing research priorities, industry direction and strategic partnerships that support the future of transport.
• Lead the directorate programme office providing services that enable effective governance, risk, assurance and performance reporting.

About you

• Substantial experience overseeing large-scale research and innovation portfolios, programmes and investment in a complex organisational environment involving diverse stakeholders and partners.
• Sound understanding of the transport, infrastructure or related sectors, including the opportunities and evolving considerations associated with research, innovation and emerging technologies.
• Degree qualified, or possessing equivalent professional experience, with the ability to apply strategic insight, sound judgement and evidence-based thinking to complex issues.
• Proven strategic leadership capability, with experience as part of a senior team supporting change and creating inclusive, high-performing cultures that deliver organisational outcomes.
• Excellent relationship-building, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to engage effectively with senior colleagues, government bodies, academia and industry partners.
• Experience developing and managing significant budgets and investment programmes, ensuring robust governance, accountability and value for money.

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. 

Safety, Engineering and Standards (SES) focuses on supporting outstanding operational delivery and providing expert technical advice for our road network. We also deliver essential services that lead, enable, and drive innovation in the development of the Strategic Road Network, while offering expert guidance on health and safety matters. 

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

Why you should join us

At National Highways we believe in a connected country. We are passionate about creating a culture where colleagues feel connected, included and enjoy greater wellbeing to achieve this. We’re proud that as an organisation we are continually striving to do better and actively encourage and support our colleagues to do the same with their careers. 

So, if you put safety first, take ownership of your work, show passion for what you do, work effectively in a team, and demonstrate integrity in how you do it – then you’ll be a great fit for our organisation.

A connected and sustainable working approach has been adopted across National Highways. For some roles, this means being able to work in a hybrid way spending up to 60% of time working from a remote location such as home.

We offer many different ways to work flexibly and we’re open to discuss part-time working, job shares, and flexible start and finish times. 

Please wait until the interview stage before asking us about flexibility, and we will explore what is possible.

 

Our benefits package

• Our total reward package includes basic salary, the potential for a performance related bonus
• Contributory pension scheme with employer contribution of up to 10%
• Annual Leave starting at 26 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising by 1 day each year up to 31 days (plus Bank Holidays)
• Flexible hours and an approach driven by connected and sustainable working which includes hybrid working
• Life assurance of 4 times annual salary
• Health and wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7 365 days and network of mental health first aiders. Plus access to a wellbeing app to enhance your self-care 24/7, Occupational health service and flu vaccines
• A cycle to work scheme for the purchase of a bicycle and equipment for healthy, low carbon travel
• Significant investment in your career development, through learning and development, talent management, coaching, mentoring and on job experience

 

And we are

• Family friendly with enhanced maternity leave and pay, paternity leave (15 days), shared parental leave, adoption leave. Plus access to financial support for holiday play schemes and paid special leave (up to 5 days pa), eg for caring responsibilities
• Money friendly with access to a discounts platform including over 3000 discounts for supermarkets, eating out, leisure, holidays. Alongside a financial wellbeing programme
• Community friendly – offering paid leave to volunteer, 3 days basic/year

If you are successful, it is key to know all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory completion of our pre-employment checks which include:       

• Right to work check
• 3 year employment history references
• DBS criminal record check
• Social media and adverse journalism check
• Driving licence check (if applicable)
• Fit to work questionnaire (for all), followed by a medical check (if applicable)
• Qualifications and/or professional membership check (if applicable)

 

And finally 

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