- Supporting National Highways on their A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project to improve the A66 between the M6 at Penrith and A1(M) at Scotch Corner. The project involves upgrading single carriageway sections of road to dual carriageway standard and making improvements to the junctions along the route.
- Kendal Northern Access Route: Government has confirmed the KNAR as one of the Major Road Network (MRN) and Large Local Major (LLM) road improvement projects being reviewed by the Department for Transport (DfT)
- Supporting Tour de France, which comes through Westmorland and Furness in July next year.
Director of Highways, Transport and Infrastructure
Salary: £101,702 to £113,010
Closing date for applications: 25/10/2026
Closing date for applications: 25/10/2026
Shape the future of connectivity across Westmorland and Furness by leading vital Highways, Transport and Infrastructure services that keep communities connected, enable economic growth, and create thriving places for residents, businesses and visitors.
Our highways and transport network is one of the most visible things we do. It connects our communities across a large and varied geography, carries millions of visitors into the Lake District every year, and keeps people and businesses moving in places where a single closure can make a real difference to daily life.
As Director of Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, you will lead that work, alongside our responsibilities for transport, active travel and flood and coastal risk management, and you will help us shape how these services look in the years ahead.
This role offers the chance to set the strategic direction for the service and to make the most of a substantial capital programme and increased government funding. Just as importantly, it is a role for someone who wants to be visible and close to the teams doing the work, from our offices in Barrow and Kendal to our depots across the area. With the Cumbria Combined Authority electing its first Mayor next year and devolution opening up real opportunity around transport and sustainable travel, this is a genuinely exciting time to join us and help shape what comes next.
For more information, please view the below attachments:
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Connecting People and Places: Delivering Infrastructure That Matters
Highways, transport and infrastructure covers highways asset management and delivery; transport planning and policy; rail bus and sustainable transport; community transport; active travel; infrastructure planning; street lighting; winter services; traffic management; parking services; rights of way and countryside management; street and road signage; and flood, water and coastal risk management.
Our highway network runs to more than 2,600 miles, significantly more than the average throughout England and Wales. We are responsible for 1,400 miles of footpaths, 88 miles of cycleway and 2,108 miles of rights of way, more than 2,000 bridges and structures like culverts and retaining walls, 72,000 drainage gullies, nine sea defence walls and 20,000 streetlights, all with a combined estimated value of £4 billion.
We expect to have invested approximately £53.9 million into maintaining and improving roads and infrastructure over the 2026 to 2027 period.
Recent major projects successfully delivered include the opening of a £23.3m new bypass at Grizebeck, which was completed on time and on budget, completion of a £32m highways improvement programme that has seen more than 25,000 potholes repaired alongside wider road, bridge, drainage and infrastructure works, 60 community-backed 20mph schemes implemented and the launch of a new 120-mile long-distance walking route, the Westmorland and Furness Way, delivered by the Countryside Access Team.
Behind these numbers are dedicated teams working in a broad range of disciplines, from highways asset delivery, sustainable transport, flood risk and infrastructure planning – all committed to working together to connect people and places right across Westmorland and Furness.
Future major projects
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Our benefits
We are a caring council. We are dedicated to supporting your health and wellbeing while you are working for us. We have a variety of fantastic benefits that ensure you can achieve a healthy work-life balance.
If you want to find out more about our benefits and working for Westmorland and Furness, please visit the link below.
How to apply
To register your details and to apply, please visit: https://starfishsearch.com/jobs/director-of-highways-transport-infrastructure/
If you would like an informal conversation about this role, please contact Tim Farr - tim.farr@starfishsearch.com
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): 24th November 2026
Please note, these dates may be subject to change.
Salary, hours and contract type
Salary: £101,702 to £113,010
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract type: Permanent
Our approach to recruitment
Thank you for your interest in joining Westmorland and Furness Council. We are committed to building a diverse and skilled workforce that reflects the character of our community.
We believe in treating all applicants fairly and without bias. Our recruitment process is designed to be open, inclusive, and supportive, ensuring that you feel valued and able to demonstrate your strengths. We aim to make the process as transparent and equitable as possible for everyone.
For more information, please visit Working with us | Careers.
Equality, diversity, and inclusion
Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences
Safer recruitment
At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all employees, volunteers and workers to share this commitment.