Senior Civil Engineer – Highways
Job Title: Senior Engineer – Civils & Highways
Location: Kent
Reporting to: Project Director / Project Manager
Purpose: Lead and manage the delivery of complex highways and civil engineering works, ensuring compliance with design, safety, quality, and stakeholder requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Delivering Results
* Manage and deliver highways and civil engineering works (including groundworks, drainage, and substructures) safely, on time, and within budget.
* Ensure compliance with approved drawings, highways specifications (e.g., DMRB, MCHW), Employer’s Requirements (ERs), and relevant industry standards.
* Coordinate closely with key stakeholders including local authorities, utility providers, highways agencies, and specialist subcontractors.
* Uphold high standards of health, safety, and environmental management across all site activities.
Managing Processes
* Review and interpret detailed highways and civils design information, ensuring buildability and completeness prior to construction.
* Plan, coordinate, and sequence site operations — including traffic management, road closures, diversions, and phased works — in line with agreed programmes.
* Chair regular progress meetings with subcontractors and suppliers; maintain detailed records of outcomes and actions.
* Ensure all statutory licences, Section 50/278/106 agreements, permits to dig, and temporary works designs are in place and compliant.
* Deliver innovative engineering solutions to overcome site-specific challenges, constraints, and design changes.
* Work in line with our clients Integrated Management Systems and contribute to continuous improvement.
* Prepare and manage scopes of work and technical documentation for highways, drainage, earthworks, and associated civils packages.
Stakeholder & Interface Management
* Act as a primary contact for highways inspectors, utility coordinators, and local authority representatives.
* Work collaboratively with the Design Manager, Client, and third parties to resolve design or programme issues quickly and efficiently.
Quality Assurance
* Ensure all workmanship, materials, and processes meet the required highways/civils standards (e.g., SHW Series specifications).
* Lead inspections, testing, and handover procedures in line with agreed quality assurance plans.
People Management
Performance & Development
* Conduct Performance & Development Reviews with direct reports.
* Manage team attendance and address performance issues in line with company procedures.
* Ensure team compliance with:
* Recruitment & onboarding policies
* Disciplinary and grievance procedures
* Health, safety, and welfare obligations
* Absence management frameworks
Communication & Support
* Provide regular feedback and clear direction to site teams.
* Support professional development (e.g., ICE/CIHT membership progress) and technical training.
Ardour Associates values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.
Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.
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