Asset Specialist - Strategic Road Network

As part of the Network Management function, you will provide technical leadership and asset management expertise across defined asset groups on the Strategic Road Network.

This role has responsibility for the management, performance and improvement of the following asset areas:

• Vehicle Restraint Systems (VRS)
• Air quality monitoring infrastructure and associated intervention measures
• Noise monitoring and mitigation assets
• Highway boundary fences and associated third-party interfaces
• Historical assets associated with the Strategic Road Network.

You will support the planning, management and oversight of investment in these asset areas and ensure they are maintained, renewed and improved in line with relevant standards, legislation and Welsh Government objectives.

Asset Specialist. Key Focus

• Developing, maintaining and implementing asset management approaches for Vehicle Restraint Systems, air quality monitoring infrastructure and interventions, noise monitoring and mitigation assets, highway boundary fences and interfaces, and historical assets, including inspection, maintenance, intervention and lifecycle management.
• Producing national-level assessments and reporting on the condition, performance and risk of these asset groups, providing clear evidence to support investment, environmental and operational decisions.
• Leading prioritisation, investment planning and long-term renewal strategies across these asset areas, ensuring funding is targeted at the highest-risk, poorest-condition or most critical assets.
• Embedding consistent, standards-compliant and evidence-led engineering, environmental and asset management principles across maintenance, renewal and improvement programmes.
• Working across engineering disciplines and with the Supply Chain and delivery partners to ensure coordinated, efficient and high-quality delivery.

You will also support the development and implementation of the Welsh Government's approach to asset strategy for the SRN, helping to shape the long-term direction for safe, resilient and well-governed infrastructure management, supported by robust asset data, digital systems and clear technical governance.

Why Join Us

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. You will be joining a team that values collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement, and where your work will play a central role in protecting the resilience, safety and environmental performance of Wales' Strategic Road Network.

You'll also benefit from an exceptional employee package. As a Welsh Government employee, you'll be automatically enrolled into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, which offers one of the most generous employer contribution rates in the UK (28.97% employer contribution), providing long-term financial security that is difficult to match elsewhere. You'll work a 37 hour week, enjoying 31 days of annual leave plus bank and privilege holidays, alongside flexible working arrangements and a hybrid working approach designed to support wellbeing, work-life balance and productivity. We also offer a range of additional benefits, including cycle and green car schemes, discounted rail season tickets, and access to wellbeing and employee support programmes. For more information, visit Pay, pensions and benefits | GOV.WALES Key tasks, * Act as the Welsh Government's technical specialist for Vehicle Restraint Systems, air quality monitoring and interventions, noise mitigation, highway boundary fences and interfaces, and historical SRN assets.

• Lead the asset management of these asset groups across Wales, including condition assessment, risk-based prioritisation and intervention planning.
• Develop and manage investment, maintenance and renewal programmes for these assets, ensuring a clear, evidence-led and risk-based approach.
• Apply relevant standards, guidance and legislation to provide robust technical assurance and support consistent decision-making across these asset areas.
• Provide technical advice on asset performance, safety, resilience, environmental considerations and urgent operational issues affecting these assets and the wider network.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of digital tools, asset records, inspection regimes and technical governance arrangements for these asset groups.
• Collaborate with the Supply Chain, local authorities, statutory bodies and other stakeholders to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery across Wales.
• Manage interfaces, environmental obligations and third-party risks associated with these asset groups.
• Prepare technical briefings, investment cases and responses for senior leaders and Ministers on asset policy, performance and delivery matters relating to these asset areas.

Development opportunities

Joining the Strategic Road Network Division offers the opportunity to operate at the forefront of national highway asset management and infrastructure delivery. We offer:

• Exposure to high-profile national programmes across a range of highway asset areas, giving you experience at the forefront of national infrastructure delivery.
• Opportunities to work directly with Ministers, senior Welsh Government officials and industry-leading partners across the UK, providing valuable insight into decision-making, policy development and delivery at a national level.
• Professional growth in technical engineering, asset management, environmental monitoring, climate adaptation, programme planning and evidence-led investment prioritisation.
• Experience representing Welsh Government in UK-wide forums and working groups, helping shape best practice and long-term strategic direction.
• A supportive and inclusive team environment where diversity is valued and everyone is encouraged to thrive. You will have access to mentoring, peer learning and tailored professional development to support your growth within the role and beyond.

Other vacancy related information

• This role requires applicants to hold Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status
• A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.
• This is a Pan-Wales role and can be based at any Welsh Government office. The successful candidate will be expected to attend their nearest office regularly (approximately 2 days a week) and undertake site visits (average of 1 a month) as a part of their role.
• A valid UK driving licence is required for site visits not accessible by public transport.
• In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Experience 1. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
• In the event of two or more candidates having the same total score, the following list will be used to determine a merit order/which candidate will be appointed. Weighting the criteria - which candidate had the highest score for Experience 1, Experience 2, Making Effective Decisions and then Working Together.
• A CV is requested as part of the application process. The CV is for information only and will not be scored as part of the assessment process.
• Reimbursement of the annual membership fee/subscription to a single professional institution will be provided, so long as it aligns with the requirements of the role.

Do you have a valid Driving License license?, Do you have experience in Leadership?

Pulled from the full job description

• Annual leave
• Company pension
• Car scheme, Advertising basis Permanent Actual starting salary A starting salary between £47,675 and £52,557 will be offered to the successful candidate based on their skills, knowledge, experience and performance at interview. This range is not negotiable. The pay scale of this role has a salary band between £47,675 and £56,445 in 4 annual increments. Pay progression is based on annual incremental advance to the next point on the scale (awarded subject to satisfactory performance) until the employee reaches the target rate Salary range or pay band SEO £47,675 to £56,445 Allowances No Work pattern Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time) Group Economy, Energy and Transport Directorate Transport and Digital Connectivity Branch Highways Location (s) Pan Wales

'Pan Wales' means the post holder can be based in any Welsh Government office, subject to business needs. Roles based outside Wales, including London, are not available unless explicitly stated in the advert.

A list of the Welsh Government's offices can be found on www.gov.wales/welsh-government-offices. Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location.

The post holder's travel from their home to their assigned Welsh Government office is considered their 'ordinary commute' and must be done in their own time and at their own cost. Purpose of post

The Welsh Government operates name-free recruitment. The recruiting panel will not see personal information such as a candidate's name and address during the sifting process. This policy is in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity., The Strategic Road Network (SRN) is one of Wales' most vital infrastructure assets, valued at approximately £21 billion. Although it makes up just 5% of the total road length, it carries around one-third of all road traffic, playing a key role in connecting communities, supporting the economy and providing access to essential services. This post is part of a wider recruitment campaign to strengthen the Welsh Government's Strategic Road Network Division. Over the coming months, we will be building a diverse and skilled team to enhance our capability as a highway authority, ensuring we continue to deliver safe, efficient and sustainable transport infrastructure across Wales. This is an exciting opportunity to join a delivery-focused and inclusive team and help shape the future of the SRN. Your work will make a real difference to people's lives, network resilience and the Welsh economy.