Head of Road Safety Delivery, Strategic Road Network
Wales, United Kingdom Full-time Posted 2 weeks ago
Vacancy title
Head of Road Safety Delivery, Strategic Road Network
Closing date
11/06/2026, 16:00
Advertising basis
Permanent
Actual starting salary
A starting salary of £61,098 will be offered to the successful candidate. The pay scale of this role has a salary band between £61,098 and £73,057 in 4 annual increments. Pay progression is based on annual incremental advance to the next point on the scale until the employee reaches the target rate.
Salary range or pay band
Grade 7 £61,098 to £73,057
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
Asset Management & Standards
Location (s)
Pan Wales
Purpose of post
The Strategic Road Network (SRN) is one of Wales’ most significant public infrastructure assets, valued at approximately £18 billion. Although it represents around 5 per cent of the total road length in Wales, it carries approximately one third of all traffic and is critical to economic growth, community connectivity, access to essential services and the delivery of Welsh Government transport, climate and wellbeing objectives.
This post sits within the Strategic Road Network Division and forms part of a wider programme to strengthen Welsh Government’s capability as a highway authority. You will join a team delivering high-impact national infrastructure programmes across Wales, responding to complex challenges including road safety, climate resilience, changing travel behaviour and increasing demand on the network.
As Head of Road Safety Delivery for the Strategic Road Network, you will have line management responsibility for a Road Safety Engineer at SEO level. You will provide strategic oversight, technical governance and assurance for road safety across the SRN. The role is central to translating ministerial commitments and policy ambitions into effective, evidence-based safety interventions that reduce fatal and serious injuries on Wales’ trunk roads.
You will work closely with Ministers, senior officials, technical specialists, delivery partners and external stakeholders to ensure that trunk road safety interventions are well-governed, aligned with international best practice and consistently delivered. This is a high-profile and influential Grade 7 role with direct impact on public safety outcomes across Wales.
You will have oversight of the Welsh Government’s role in the Suicide and Self Harm Action Plan for the SRN and work with stakeholders to implement programmes of work.
You will also work closely with the Road Safety Policy team to ensure full alignment between policy and trunk road delivery, maintaining a strong two‑way relationship where policy direction informs programmes of work on the Strategic Road Network, and operational delivery insights from the programmes of work on the trunk road actively shape future policy development.
Key tasks
What You Will Be Doing?
As part of the Network Management function, you will provide leadership across the SRN to ensure road safety policy is implemented effectively, consistently and at pace. Your work will support the delivery of Safe System principles, national road safety programmes and major infrastructure schemes, ensuring alignment with Welsh Government policy, statutory duties and industry best practice.
Policy Delivery, Governance and Assurance
This role provides significant exposure to Ministers and senior officials, offering the opportunity to influence national road safety policy and oversee its translation into effective delivery across the Strategic Road Network.
You will develop your strategic leadership, governance and assurance capability within a high-profile area of Welsh Government responsibility, while strengthening your experience in cross-government working and complex stakeholder engagement. The role offers a unique opportunity to shape road safety outcomes that deliver tangible improvements to public safety and wellbeing across Wales.
Other vacancy related information
Pre-sift
In the event of many 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.
Reserve List
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 in line with WG policy.
Professional Requirements
You will be a Chartered or Incorporated Civil Engineer, Transport Planner, or a professional with experience in road safety. This should include experience of undertaking road safety studies, appraising and implementing mitigation measures, and applying road safety legislation in practice. A good understanding of Safe System principles is desirable.
Travel Requirements
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, typically around two days per week.
The role requires travel across Wales to attend meetings and undertake site visits. As some locations may not be accessible by public transport, a valid UK driving licence is required and occasional overnight stays may be necessary.
Merit order
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.
Basic
Number of posts
1
Contact point for further information regarding the post
est-nmdmailbox@gov.wales
Welsh language requirements
3 - Welsh language skills are not essential for this post, they are however desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.
Understanding by reading
0 - No skills
Speaking and being understood
0 - No skills
Understanding by listening
0 - No skills
Writing and being understood
0 - No skills
Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
Behaviour 1
The selection process and stages are:
Seeing the Big Picture
Seeing the Big Picture
Ensure plans and activities in your area of work reflect wider strategic priorities and communicate effectively with senior leaders to influence future strategies
Behaviour 2
Making Effective Decisions
Making Effective Decisions
Present reasonable conclusions from a wide range of complex and sometimes incomplete evidence.
Evidence to provide
Experience questions
Experience 1
Proven experience of leading road safety programmes managing risk and delivering measurable safety improvements.
Technical 1
Technical Stage 1 assessment
Technical Case Study 1: Assuring Consistent Delivery of Road Safety Measures
Welsh Government is delivering a package of road safety measures across the Strategic Road Network through their Trunk Road Agents. While overall progress is being made, emerging performance reports suggest variation in how interventions are being specified, implemented and monitored across regions. There is concern that inconsistent delivery practices could affect safety outcomes, value for money and public confidence.
As Head of Road Safety Delivery, you are asked to review the delivery approach, provide assurance on whether road safety measures are being implemented consistently and in line with policy and road safety industry best practice, and advise on any actions required to strengthen governance, capability or delivery arrangements.
Sift Question
Using your technical knowledge of road safety delivery, how would you provide assurance that road safety interventions are being delivered consistently, safely, and in line with policy, standards and road safety industry best practice?
Technical 2
Technical Stage 2 assessment
The technical criteria will be assessed at Stage 2 using a case study and an interview question based on the case study. The case study and the interview question will be provided at the time of invitation to interview, along with the other interview questions.
You will be asked about your nationality and if you are legally allowed to work in the United Kingdom. This is to find out if you are eligible to apply for this vacancy. This is a requirement for working within the Civil Service. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria your application will not progress. If it becomes clear at a later stage in the process that you are not eligible to apply, your application may be withdrawn, or the offer retracted.
Nationality Requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Please see the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles on the Commission's website.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email complaints@gov.wales . Please ensure that you refer to the vacancy reference number.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Welsh Government, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: info@csc.gov.uk.
How To Apply
All applications for this vacancy must be made using our online application system.
Unless stated otherwise in the 'Other vacancy-related information for advert', the Welsh Government cannot offer Visa sponsorship. Welsh Government holds a Visa sponsorship licence, but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
Applications are welcomed from people with a diverse range of lived and professional experiences. We are actively committed to becoming an increasingly diverse organisation which represents the diverse communities we serve. There are a number of Diversity networks that staff can participate in, which include the Disability Awareness and Support Staff Network; Minority Ethnic Staff Network; Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (LGBTI+), Women Together and the Neurodivergence Network.
If you have an impairment which prevents you from applying online, please email our recruitment team. You can:
You should check your Application Centre regularly for updates to your application. Please also check your spam/junk folder in case any communication regarding your application and/or assessment details finds its way there.
Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form. You must complete this and submit it before the deadline on the closing date. We will not consider an incomplete application form.
If you would like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the Change Language link on this page. We welcome applications in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.
Please see the candidate guidance for more information on the recruitment process.
For information on Civil Service Success Profiles please click here .
For TS to G6 recruitment schemes: When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.
Head of Road Safety Delivery, Strategic Road Network
Closing date
11/06/2026, 16:00
Advertising basis
Permanent
Actual starting salary
A starting salary of £61,098 will be offered to the successful candidate. The pay scale of this role has a salary band between £61,098 and £73,057 in 4 annual increments. Pay progression is based on annual incremental advance to the next point on the scale until the employee reaches the target rate.
Salary range or pay band
Grade 7 £61,098 to £73,057
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
Asset Management & Standards
Location (s)
Pan Wales
Purpose of post
The Strategic Road Network (SRN) is one of Wales’ most significant public infrastructure assets, valued at approximately £18 billion. Although it represents around 5 per cent of the total road length in Wales, it carries approximately one third of all traffic and is critical to economic growth, community connectivity, access to essential services and the delivery of Welsh Government transport, climate and wellbeing objectives.
This post sits within the Strategic Road Network Division and forms part of a wider programme to strengthen Welsh Government’s capability as a highway authority. You will join a team delivering high-impact national infrastructure programmes across Wales, responding to complex challenges including road safety, climate resilience, changing travel behaviour and increasing demand on the network.
As Head of Road Safety Delivery for the Strategic Road Network, you will have line management responsibility for a Road Safety Engineer at SEO level. You will provide strategic oversight, technical governance and assurance for road safety across the SRN. The role is central to translating ministerial commitments and policy ambitions into effective, evidence-based safety interventions that reduce fatal and serious injuries on Wales’ trunk roads.
You will work closely with Ministers, senior officials, technical specialists, delivery partners and external stakeholders to ensure that trunk road safety interventions are well-governed, aligned with international best practice and consistently delivered. This is a high-profile and influential Grade 7 role with direct impact on public safety outcomes across Wales.
You will have oversight of the Welsh Government’s role in the Suicide and Self Harm Action Plan for the SRN and work with stakeholders to implement programmes of work.
You will also work closely with the Road Safety Policy team to ensure full alignment between policy and trunk road delivery, maintaining a strong two‑way relationship where policy direction informs programmes of work on the Strategic Road Network, and operational delivery insights from the programmes of work on the trunk road actively shape future policy development.
Key tasks
What You Will Be Doing?
As part of the Network Management function, you will provide leadership across the SRN to ensure road safety policy is implemented effectively, consistently and at pace. Your work will support the delivery of Safe System principles, national road safety programmes and major infrastructure schemes, ensuring alignment with Welsh Government policy, statutory duties and industry best practice.
Policy Delivery, Governance and Assurance
- Lead the strategic delivery of Welsh Government road safety policy on the Strategic Road Network, ensuring alignment with ministerial priorities and statutory obligations.
- Provide governance, assurance and compliance oversight to ensure trunk road safety interventions are evidence-based, well-governed and consistent with national and international best practice.
- Provide expert advice and briefings to Ministers, senior officials and Senedd Committees on road safety matters as they relate to the SRN.
- Provide senior technical leadership for road safety engineering across the SRN, embedding Safe System principles into infrastructure, investment and operational decisions.
- Assure major programmes and schemes to ensure compliance with road safety standards, risk management requirements and best practice.
- Provide strategic direction and oversight for national road safety initiatives on the SRN, ensuring effective implementation and measurable impact.
- Oversee monitoring, evaluation and performance reporting, providing clear assurance to Ministers and senior officials.
- Coordinate delivery across Welsh Government, Trunk Road Agents and key partners.
- Oversee the funding requirements for Road Safety and Suicide and Self harm prevention programmes for the SRN.
- Represent Welsh Government in UK-wide and international road safety forums, ensuring Wales remains aligned with emerging best practice.
- Build effective relationships with the Head of Road Safety Policy and stakeholders including enforcement partners, and external bodies to support delivery and public confidence.
- Provide leadership and development for the SRN road safety function, managing the Road Safety Engineer, and wider Trunk Road Agent roles, ensuring sustainable workloads and high professional standards.
- Lead workforce planning and capability development across Welsh Government and Trunk Road Agents, reducing reliance on external consultancy.
- Line management responsibility for a Road Safety Engineer.
This role provides significant exposure to Ministers and senior officials, offering the opportunity to influence national road safety policy and oversee its translation into effective delivery across the Strategic Road Network.
You will develop your strategic leadership, governance and assurance capability within a high-profile area of Welsh Government responsibility, while strengthening your experience in cross-government working and complex stakeholder engagement. The role offers a unique opportunity to shape road safety outcomes that deliver tangible improvements to public safety and wellbeing across Wales.
Other vacancy related information
Pre-sift
In the event of many 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.
Reserve List
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 in line with WG policy.
Professional Requirements
You will be a Chartered or Incorporated Civil Engineer, Transport Planner, or a professional with experience in road safety. This should include experience of undertaking road safety studies, appraising and implementing mitigation measures, and applying road safety legislation in practice. A good understanding of Safe System principles is desirable.
Travel Requirements
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, typically around two days per week.
The role requires travel across Wales to attend meetings and undertake site visits. As some locations may not be accessible by public transport, a valid UK driving licence is required and occasional overnight stays may be necessary.
Merit order
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.
- Experience criteria
- Technical criteria
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
Basic
Number of posts
1
Contact point for further information regarding the post
est-nmdmailbox@gov.wales
Welsh language requirements
3 - Welsh language skills are not essential for this post, they are however desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.
Understanding by reading
0 - No skills
Speaking and being understood
0 - No skills
Understanding by listening
0 - No skills
Writing and being understood
0 - No skills
Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
Behaviour 1
The selection process and stages are:
Seeing the Big Picture
Seeing the Big Picture
Ensure plans and activities in your area of work reflect wider strategic priorities and communicate effectively with senior leaders to influence future strategies
Behaviour 2
Making Effective Decisions
Making Effective Decisions
Present reasonable conclusions from a wide range of complex and sometimes incomplete evidence.
Evidence to provide
Experience questions
Experience 1
Proven experience of leading road safety programmes managing risk and delivering measurable safety improvements.
Technical 1
Technical Stage 1 assessment
Technical Case Study 1: Assuring Consistent Delivery of Road Safety Measures
Welsh Government is delivering a package of road safety measures across the Strategic Road Network through their Trunk Road Agents. While overall progress is being made, emerging performance reports suggest variation in how interventions are being specified, implemented and monitored across regions. There is concern that inconsistent delivery practices could affect safety outcomes, value for money and public confidence.
As Head of Road Safety Delivery, you are asked to review the delivery approach, provide assurance on whether road safety measures are being implemented consistently and in line with policy and road safety industry best practice, and advise on any actions required to strengthen governance, capability or delivery arrangements.
Sift Question
Using your technical knowledge of road safety delivery, how would you provide assurance that road safety interventions are being delivered consistently, safely, and in line with policy, standards and road safety industry best practice?
Technical 2
Technical Stage 2 assessment
The technical criteria will be assessed at Stage 2 using a case study and an interview question based on the case study. The case study and the interview question will be provided at the time of invitation to interview, along with the other interview questions.
You will be asked about your nationality and if you are legally allowed to work in the United Kingdom. This is to find out if you are eligible to apply for this vacancy. This is a requirement for working within the Civil Service. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria your application will not progress. If it becomes clear at a later stage in the process that you are not eligible to apply, your application may be withdrawn, or the offer retracted.
Nationality Requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
- Civil Service Pension Scheme
- 31 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time)
- training and development opportunities
- Cycle2Work Scheme
- Smart Working flexible working arrangement
- Green Car Scheme (subject to availability)
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Please see the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles on the Commission's website.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email complaints@gov.wales . Please ensure that you refer to the vacancy reference number.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Welsh Government, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: info@csc.gov.uk.
How To Apply
All applications for this vacancy must be made using our online application system.
Unless stated otherwise in the 'Other vacancy-related information for advert', the Welsh Government cannot offer Visa sponsorship. Welsh Government holds a Visa sponsorship licence, but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
Applications are welcomed from people with a diverse range of lived and professional experiences. We are actively committed to becoming an increasingly diverse organisation which represents the diverse communities we serve. There are a number of Diversity networks that staff can participate in, which include the Disability Awareness and Support Staff Network; Minority Ethnic Staff Network; Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (LGBTI+), Women Together and the Neurodivergence Network.
If you have an impairment which prevents you from applying online, please email our recruitment team. You can:
- request an application pack in an alternative format
- request a recruitment adjustment to help you submit your application
You should check your Application Centre regularly for updates to your application. Please also check your spam/junk folder in case any communication regarding your application and/or assessment details finds its way there.
Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form. You must complete this and submit it before the deadline on the closing date. We will not consider an incomplete application form.
If you would like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the Change Language link on this page. We welcome applications in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.
Please see the candidate guidance for more information on the recruitment process.
For information on Civil Service Success Profiles please click here .
For TS to G6 recruitment schemes: When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.
