Assistant Director - Highway and Parking Policy

Job Title: Assistant Director - Highway and Parking Policy

Salary Range: £99,084 - £116,847 (MG4)

Permanent, Full time

Location: Richmond and Wandsworth

Objective of role

The primary objective of this role is to provide strategic leadership and direction for highway and parking policy across Wandsworth and Richmond Councils, with a particular focus on delivering a modern, efficient, and sustainable parking service. The postholder will ensure that parking policy not only meets operational and financial requirements, but also plays a central role in supporting wider council priorities, including environmental sustainability, air quality improvement, economic vitality, and the promotion of active and accessible travel.

This role is responsible for shaping a cohesive, evidence-based policy framework that balances the competing needs of residents, businesses, and visitors, while responding to legislative requirements and the evolving demands of urban mobility. By driving innovation, digital transformation, and service improvement, the Assistant Director will ensure that parking services are customer-focused, financially robust, and aligned with long-term strategic outcomes for both boroughs.

Working at a senior level, the postholder will also provide expert advice to elected members and corporate leadership, ensuring informed decision-making and effective governance, while fostering strong partnerships and engagement with stakeholders across the public and private sectors

About the role

Wandsworth and Richmond Councils are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Assistant Director to lead our Highway & Parking Policy function, with a strong emphasis on parking strategy, policy development, and service improvement. This is a senior leadership role with significant influence over how parking supports wider transport, environmental, and place-based priorities across two dynamic London boroughs.

You will shape and deliver innovative parking policies that balance the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors, while supporting sustainability, air quality improvements, and active travel objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of parking policy and strategy across both boroughs
• Oversee Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs), permits, enforcement policy, and tariff structures
• Ensure parking services contribute to wider transport, climate, and public realm goals
• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership, elected members, and stakeholders
• Manage and develop high-performing, multidisciplinary teams
• Drive digital transformation and service modernisation within parking services
• Oversee budgets, income generation, and financial performance of parking operations
• Lead on consultations, stakeholder engagement, and partnership working

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

You will be a strategic leader with substantial experience in highways, transport, or parking services, ideally within a local government or public sector context.

We are looking for someone who:

• Professional Qualifications in the highway / transport sector
• Has deep expertise in parking policy, legislation, and operations
• Can demonstrate strong leadership and experience managing complex services
• Is politically astute, with experience working with elected members
• Has a track record of delivering service transformation and innovation
• Possesses excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Is committed to sustainable transport and improving urban environments

Closing Date: 26th June 26.

Shortlisting Date: 3rdJuly 26.

Interview Date: 9th July 26.

Test/Presentation: Provide a 5 minute presentation of where you have influenced, and delivered Parking policy changes within a local authority environment.

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.