National Highways has an excellent opportunity for a Property Acquisition Policy Manager to join our Property & Compensation team within Major Projects. As a Property Acquisition Policy Manager, you will research, develop, deliver, and maintain property acquisition and compensation policies, processes, and guidance, ensuring compliance with our obligations on matters such as the Compensation Code and public sector equality duties.

You will act as the lead to ensure policies, processes, and guidance are fit for purpose, reflect best practices, and incorporate learning from National Highways, professional bodies, and government.

This is a hybrid position, based from any of our regional UK offices, with travel to our Bedford office for team meetings.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Research, develop, deliver, and embed company policies, processes, and training materials on all acquisition and compensation matters, aligned with the Compensation Code and industry best practices (e.g., RICS, Compulsory Purchase Association), balancing commercial considerations and public sector equality duties.
2. Prepare and collate responses to government consultations on the compulsory purchase system and the Compensation Code, such as the Law Commission’s reform projects.
3. Be the process owner for the “Way we work” Property Lifecycle within the National Highways’ quality management system for all property acquisition matters.
4. Collaborate across organizational boundaries at a senior level to foster a cooperative environment for policy implementation and best practice sharing.
5. Serve as the Subject Matter Expert on acquisition and compensation, providing advice and solutions on complex or contentious cases.

About You:

• Property-related qualification (e.g., RICS, CILEx) or willingness to obtain one.
• Experience working in a policy and legislative environment, analyzing complex information, interpreting legal changes, and developing innovative solutions.
• Extensive knowledge of the Compensation Code and principles for compulsory land acquisition, including blight and option agreements.
• Proven ability to build relationships with key stakeholders and communicate complex principles clearly to influence outcomes.
• Experience in a customer-facing environment ensuring policies are clear, fair, and understandable.

About Us:

At National Highways, we manage and improve England’s motorways and major A roads, prioritizing safety, customer service, and delivery, guided by our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork, and ownership.

Major Projects focus on enhancing the road network, making journeys safer, more reliable, and supporting economic growth, sustainability, and environmental goals.

We work with the supply chain on project design and construction and develop a pipeline of future projects, leveraging our diverse skills in customer service, land, property, and project management.

External candidates will start at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed according to our pay policy.

We are committed to diversity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.