Daniel Wharton
North Wingfield,United Kingdom
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive expertise in highways operations and emergency response, specialising in winter maintenance and severe weather planning. Demonstrates proficiency in NEC3/NEC4 contract management, CDM, Highways Act, and NRSWA compliance. Proven track record in operational leadership and workforce development, with a strong focus on budgeting, procurement, and commercial planning. Adept at negotiation techniques and customer relationship management, ensuring effective stakeholder and public engagement. Committed to innovation and sustainable construction practices while maintaining resilience under pressure. Career goals include advancing strategic planning initiatives to enhance performance monitoring and quality assurance across diverse environments.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
29
29
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Contracts Manager – External Contracts/Surfacing/Planned Maintenance
Derbyshire County Council
Stonegravels, Derbyshire
12.2019 - 11.2025
- Lead the operational delivery of planned, reactive, and emergency surfacing works across the county to achieve deliverables.
- Manage multi-skilled teams, subcontractors, and plant resources to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality delivery.
- Facilitated successful audits adhering to strict documentation requirements of contracts department.
- Managed complex contracts for successful project delivery.
- Developed detailed contract specifications to meet client expectations.
- Achieved enhanced supplier performance through diligent monitoring and feedback mechanisms.
- Oversaw daily operations and contract management for site teams.
- Conducted site surveys, visits and inspections ahead of deadlines, ensuring HSE guidelines are met.
- Built and sustained strong professional relationships with key stakeholders including coaching employees and building strong teams.
- Summarised complex contractual issues for stakeholders to enhance understanding for non-technical audiences.
- Selected, trained and performance-managed staff to build results-focused team.
- Administered expenditure, preventing budget overages with successful control strategies.
- Coordinate winter maintenance mobilisation and emergency response to severe weather and flooding events.
- Ensure compliance with NEC contracts, CDM regulations, and environmental standards.
- Collaborate with internal departments, elected members, and the public to communicate works programmes and resolve service issues.
- Support workforce development through mentoring, training, and succession planning.
- Deputise for senior managers in operational forums and strategic planning meetings.
Senior Technician DLO
Derbyshire County Council
05.2017 - 12.2019
- Provided technical and operational support for highways maintenance and improvement projects.
- Assisted in the planning and delivery of highway works, ensuring compliance with specifications and safety standards.
- Supported emergency response coordination and winter service planning & delivery.
- Liaised with external contractors, utilities, and internal teams to ensure programme alignment.
- Established effective communication channels with stakeholders ensuring transparency on project progress.
- Utilised advanced tools effectively for comprehensive system analysis.
- Maintained compliance with industry standards during all stages of projects execution.
Senior Civil Engineering Technician
Derbyshire County Council
04.2015 - 05.2017
- Delivered technical drawings and specifications for highways and infrastructure schemes.
- Supported feasibility studies, site investigations, and quality assurance processes.
- Contributed to the development of operational performance measures.
- Quickly learned and applied new skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
- Ensured health and safety regulations adherence during all projects.
- Monitored construction activities regularly, maintaining high-quality standards at all times.
- Visited sites to review work progress and drive process improvements.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with technical and non-technical personnel to meet project objectives.
- Motivated site teams to achieve quality results against construction deadlines.
Project Chargehand
Derbyshire County Council
05.2009 - 04.2015
- Supervised site teams delivering highways maintenance and improvement works.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety procedures and engineering standards.
- Managed plant, materials, and site logistics to optimise delivery.
- Inspected machinery regularly, prevented downtime due to unexpected breakdowns.
- Improved efficiency with regular team briefings and feedback sessions.
- Led by example, fostered a culture of hard work and integrity within the team.
- Coordinated between various teams for smooth operations.
- Conducted training sessions, improved skill sets of new joiners.
- Assigned tasks, ensured timely completion of projects.
- Enforced strict health and safety regulations on site ensuring worker safety was a top priority.
Civil Engineering Training Scheme
Derbyshire County Council
08.2005 - 05.2009
- Completed a structured training programme gaining experience across multiple disciplines: Highways Design, Highways Laboratory, Development Control, Traffic and Safety, Structures, Direct Labour Organisation (DLO), and Policy & Performance.
- Developed technical skills in design, testing, compliance, and operational delivery.
- Achieved HNC in Civil Engineering & NRASWA Supervisor certification.
- Built a strong foundation in civil engineering principles and public sector standards.
- Assisted in preparing technical documentation and site layouts.
- Conducted site surveys and inspections.
- Supported engineers in day-to-day operations inc Materials & Ground testing on the additional junction to the M1 Motorway (JCT 29a).
Roadworker / LGV Driver
Derbyshire County Council
06.2003 - 08.2005
- Operated LGVs and plant machinery for road maintenance and construction.
- Carried out manual surfacing, drainage, winter maintenance and emergency repairs.
Trainee Roadworker
Derbyshire County Council
10.2001 - 06.2003
- Gained hands-on experience in road construction and maintenance.
- Completed NVQ Level 2 in Highways Maintenance.
Trainee Roadworker
Tarmac/Carillion
01.1999 - 10.2001
- Entry-level role learning the fundamentals of highways work.
Education
SMSTS - Site Management Safety Training Scheme
CITB
Denby, Derbyshire 08.2023 - 08.2023
HNC - Civil Engineering
Sheffield College
Sheffield 09.2006 - 08.2008
ONC - Civil Engineering
Chesterfield College
Chesterfield, Derbyshire 09.2004 - 08.2006
NRASWA Supervisor - Highways Maintenance
Derbyshire Highways Training Centre
Ambergate 09.2006 - 08.2020
NVQ Level 3 - Highways Maintenance
Chesterfield College
Chesterfield, Derbyshire 10.2001 - 08.2003
GCSEs - GCSEs
Tupton Hall School
Tupton, Chesterfield 09.1993 - 08.1998
Inspiring Leaders Programme - Leadership & Development
Derbyshire County Council
Matlock, Derbyshire 09.2024 - 03.2025
Derbyshire Leadership & Management Programme - Leadership & Development
Derbyshire County Council
Matlock, Derbyshire 09.2019 - 05.2020
BEng (Hons) - Civil & Infrastructure Engineering
University of Derby
Derby 09.2015 - 08.2018
Skills
- Highways Operations & Emergency Response
- Winter Maintenance & Severe Weather Planning
- NEC3/NEC4 Contract Management
- CDM, Highways Act & NRSWA Compliance
- Operational Leadership & Workforce Development
- Budgeting, Procurement & Commercial Planning and Oversight
- Negotiation techniques and Customer relationship management
- Leadership and strategic planning skills
- Plant, Fleet & Resource Management
- Stakeholder & Public Engagement
- Performance Monitoring & Quality Assurance / KPI tracking
- Innovation & Sustainable Construction Practices
- Leadership in diverse environments
- Inspiring motivation and showing resilience under pressure
References
References available upon request.
Professional Development and Memberships
- SMSTS Certified
- CSCS Manager
- NHSS Traffic Management NHSS12 certified
- Ongoing leadership and management training
- Experienced in NEC contract administration
- Familiar with ISO standards and quality assurance frameworks
- Eng Tech ICE
Timeline
Inspiring Leaders Programme - Leadership & Development
Derbyshire County Council
09.2024 - 03.2025
SMSTS - Site Management Safety Training Scheme
CITB
08.2023 - 08.2023
Contracts Manager – External Contracts/Surfacing/Planned Maintenance
Derbyshire County Council
12.2019 - 11.2025
Derbyshire Leadership & Management Programme - Leadership & Development
Derbyshire County Council
09.2019 - 05.2020
Senior Technician DLO
Derbyshire County Council
05.2017 - 12.2019
BEng (Hons) - Civil & Infrastructure Engineering
University of Derby
09.2015 - 08.2018
Senior Civil Engineering Technician
Derbyshire County Council
04.2015 - 05.2017
Project Chargehand
Derbyshire County Council
05.2009 - 04.2015
HNC - Civil Engineering
Sheffield College
09.2006 - 08.2008
NRASWA Supervisor - Highways Maintenance
Derbyshire Highways Training Centre
09.2006 - 08.2020
Civil Engineering Training Scheme
Derbyshire County Council
08.2005 - 05.2009
ONC - Civil Engineering
Chesterfield College
09.2004 - 08.2006
Roadworker / LGV Driver
Derbyshire County Council
06.2003 - 08.2005
NVQ Level 3 - Highways Maintenance
Chesterfield College
10.2001 - 08.2003
Trainee Roadworker
Derbyshire County Council
10.2001 - 06.2003
Trainee Roadworker
Tarmac/Carillion
01.1999 - 10.2001
GCSEs - GCSEs
Tupton Hall School
09.1993 - 08.1998