Location: UK (Birmingham, Gloucestershire, Guildford, Leeds, Manchester, Wakefield)
Start Date: January/February 2022
Programme: 6-month returnship
Closing date for application: Apply ASAP, latest by 6 December 2021
Your New Role
If you are an experienced professional who has been out of work for 2 or more years and are looking to return to the work place and get your career back on track, then this could be a perfect opportunity for you. The National Highways (previously Highways England) Returners Programme has a range of opportunities available, where you will be able to become completely integrated into a team within the organisation and build up any lost confidence, brush up on those management skills or gain some new ones. This is the fifth year that National Highways has been running such a successful and rewarding Programme. It is designed to give you a great experience working for a company that values you as an individual and wants to help you move forward whilst also allowing the organisation to benefit from all your previous experience gained prior to your career break.
About the Programme
There are a number of roles paying between £33,940-£45,004. Don’t worry if you don’t have the specific experience in your chosen field or area of interest, as they are looking for talented individuals who share their values and behaviours and are able to transfer their skills to be successful in a new role with their support.
Please when applying, attach a short covering letter expressing which role(s) and location(s) you are interested in, so we can process your application effectively.
All roles are initially offered on a 6-month fixed term contract but could lead to further opportunities both permanent or interim. 95% of those who have joined the Programme have remained with the organisation beyond six months.
National Highways will provide you with a supportive line manager, a structured Coaching Programme and a mentor/buddy to help you succeed.
Worried that only 9am-5pm positions exist? Don’t be! National Highways is a flexible working organisation and understand that life is important and there is a reason not everyone can commit to these hours. They are open to a variety of working options.
Read Marisa’s story of returning via the Returner programme here: Marisa’s Story
Roles available and Applicant Attributes
Project Manager (Birmingham, Gloucestershire (Severn First Maintenance Unit), Wakefield, Leeds or Manchester): You may hold a Project Management/APM/PMI qualification or a Construction/Engineering qualification; You display and have experience of working with internal and external stakeholders and an ability to manage them effectively; You are a strong communicator as well as organised; Experience of working within large teams and delegating tasks/responsibilities; Experience of working to specific timelines and delivery scales; Experience of adhering to governance, assurance and health and safety; Experience of working with large scale projects and managing joint ventures; Experience of using Microsoft tools such as MS teams, outlook and excel; You have good Financial Management Skills (forecasting and monitoring capital expenditure); You may have experience of Contract Management skills ,i.e. NEC contract.
Assistant Project Manager (Leeds, Manchester or Guildford): Effective communicator and experienced in working in high volume and demanding environment; Organised individual, with an ability to build and maintain relationships; Previous Power BI experience and reporting experience is useful; Analytical skills, to develop, analyse and provide commentary on project plans and performance; Skilled in IT platforms such as excel; Commercial awareness.
Regional Benefits and Value Manager (Manchester): A confident and effective communicator who can build good relationships between colleagues and departments; A well organised individual who can work with autonomy to proactively strategise and plan their workload; Numerically literate with the ability to undertake basic analytical tasks; It is an advantage to have previous experience in helping to develop business cases for infrastructure projects
To be successful
If you can demonstrate how you:
- put safety first
- take ownership of your work
- work effectively in a team
- show passion for what you do
- show integrity in how you do it
Then you could be a great fit for the Programme. Remember, this doesn’t have to be in a purely work environment.
A bit about National Highways
It’s an exciting time to begin a career with National Highways as they deliver £15 billion of investment in England’s motorways and A Roads, boosting capacity, tackling congestion and improving safety. That’s why they’re so grateful to their c.5,500 employees around the country. When you work with them, you’re helping to connect communities, sustain business and support the economy.
Why you should join them
At National Highways, they believe in a connected country. They are passionate about creating a culture where colleagues feel connected, included and enjoy greater wellbeing to achieve this. They’re proud that as an organisation they are continually striving to do better and actively encourage and support their colleagues to do the same with their careers.
Want to know more?
If you’re ready to start your return-to-work journey with National Highways, don’t forget to clearly show your career break on your CV as well as what you’ve been doing and why you’d like to start your next chapter as part of the Returners Programme with them.
Click here to apply using this link: Returners Programme
Please when applying, attach a short covering letter expressing which role(s) you are interested in, so they can process your application effectively.
The closing date for applications is 6 December 2021, with interviews planned mid December 2021 through to January 2022, and an estimated start date of end of January or start of February 2022.
If you have any queries, email returnersprogramme@highwaysengland.co.uk