Rights of Way Manager

Rights of Way Manager

Location: West Midlands
Contract: Temporary
Hours: 37 hours per week
Pay Rate: £26.06 PAYE or £32.44 Umbrella per hour
IR35 Status: In Scope

I am currently recruiting on behalf of a well-established Local Authority in the West Midlands for an experienced Rights of Way Manager to join their Environment & Countryside service on a temporary basis.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the management and development of a large Public Rights of Way (PROW) network, ensuring statutory responsibilities are met while driving service improvements and innovation. The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering safe, accessible and sustainable public access across the county while supporting wider environmental and countryside objectives.

As Rights of Way Manager, you will provide operational leadership to the Rights of Way team, overseeing inspections, enforcement activities, stakeholder engagement and maintenance operations. You will also support delivery of service transformation initiatives designed to improve how rights of way services are delivered in the future.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and managing the Rights of Way service and maintenance teams.
• Delivering statutory Public Rights of Way, open access and promoted routes functions.
• Ensuring the PROW network remains safe, accessible and compliant with legislation.
• Managing inspections, complaints, enforcement cases and dispute resolution activities.
• Developing policies, procedures and best practice guidance.
• Allocating and managing staffing, budgets and resources effectively.
• Overseeing maintenance programmes and the management of structures across the network.
• Working closely with elected members, local communities, landowners, volunteers and external stakeholders.
• Supporting large-scale development and infrastructure projects by ensuring rights of way considerations are fully integrated.
• Driving continuous improvement, digital innovation and community-led approaches to service delivery.
• Leading service transformation workstreams and identifying opportunities to enhance capacity and performance.

To be considered, you will have:

• A degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline.
• Extensive knowledge of Rights of Way and access legislation within England.
• Significant experience managing Public Rights of Way services, including enforcement and dispute resolution.
• Proven leadership experience, including line management, performance management and staff development.
• Experience managing budgets, contracts and procurement activities.
• Strong understanding of health & safety legislation, risk management and CDM regulations.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience working with elected members, contractors, volunteers and members of the public.
• Good IT skills, including experience using GIS systems.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work strategically.
• A full UK driving licence.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive hourly rate.
• Opportunity to work within a high-profile Local Authority service.
• Lead a dedicated team delivering an essential public service.
• Contribute to service transformation and long-term improvement programmes.
• Hybrid and field-based working opportunities.

If interested please contact Josh on 01772 208967 or joshua.hull@servicecare.org.uk