Principal Transport Planner in Birmingham

We are looking for a Principal Transport Planner to join our busy team on a permanent basis. This is a very varied role which will make full use of your transport planning modelling skills and experience, as part of an expert team, using regionally important tools like MiHam and Miranda, and emerging new tools related to freight and logistics which you will help develop.

We require someone with excellent strategic planning and modelling skills, able to play a key role in our ambitious transport agenda. As Principal Transport Planner, your role is crucial to secure funding to help improve the Midlands. Using your Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG) and Green Book knowledge, you will be heavily involved in creating business cases and a range of related tasks using all your modelling and analytic skills and experience.

This role requires someone who thrives under pressure and works in a timely manner to meet deadlines. You will be confident and knowledgeable in your field and enjoy building strong relationships at peer and senior level with our local authorities, funders (principally DfT), other partners, and consultants. You will also work closely with other teams here on the information our teams work relies on, and with teams responsible for project and service delivery too. We need someone who is highly organised, conscientious, thorough, precise, structured and enthusiastic.

What you will be doing:

• Update and operate a range of models, principally Miham and Miranda and provide expertise on demand and accessibility modelling and appraisal, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and economic analysis, including wider economic benefits and regeneration impacts.
• Work with the team to update and replace these models and tools, and data, as required.
• Manage consultants undertaking transport planning work including preparation of briefs and specify and procure term contract agreements.
• Manage junior team members in transport planning work day-to-day and assist with their learning and development.
• Define, manage and co-ordinate activities to deliver major scheme bids submissions, including co-ordination of input from all relevant parties.
• Monitor project programmes, budget allocations and spending on transport planning projects.
• Carry out project risk assessments for scheme evaluations and funding bids.
• Provide technical support on project assurance processes.
• Work closely with key internal and external organisations on transport planning issues and provide transport planning support in negotiations with external organisations.

What's essential:

• A proven record in Transport Planning, strategic modelling, and project management.
• Experience of contract management and managing consultants.
• Detailed knowledge of transport modelling techniques and scheme appraisal including M&E.
• Good working knowledge of current Government guidance on transport appraisal, Local Transport Plans, and funding bid submissions.
• Good organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Strong negotiation skills.

Location: The location for this role is Alpha Tower, Suffolk Street Queensway, Birmingham, B1 1TT with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.

Salary and benefits:

• We advertise salary ranges, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate.
• We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes: Local Government Pension Scheme, 28 days paid annual leave, ethical saving options and healthcare plans, discounted gym membership, an option to buy a bicycle at a discounted rate, 3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer, interest-free financing through SmartTech, and discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers.

About us: Midlands Connect researches, develops, and progresses transport projects which will provide the biggest possible environmental, economic, and social benefits for the Midlands and the rest of the UK. Our aim of these improvements is to transform regional and UK gateways, bringing the Midlands closer together and accelerating cost-effective improvements to unlock east-west connectivity that will enable the Midlands economies to work more effectively together.

We are committed to creating an accessible and diverse workplace, one that nurtures an inclusive environment where our people can be themselves.