Public Transport Planner in Birmingham

With public transport reform, bus franchising, devolution and decarbonisation reshaping the sector, this is an important moment to join a growing team helping clients respond to rapidly changing policy, funding and delivery challenges. This is an opportunity to help shape the future of public transport across the UK – from bus reform and BRT corridors to mobility hubs, interchanges, regeneration schemes and investment cases that support better, greener and more inclusive places across the UK.

The successful candidate will work within a collaborative team, contributing to project delivery, business development, and activities including scheme appraisal, business case development, stakeholder engagement, and strategy development. We will consider candidates with location preferences across any of our UK network of offices, working alongside our growing team of public transport specialists based in Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, London (Victoria) and York, or our other Movement & Place hubs in Belfast, Cambridge, Edinburgh or Manchester.

We are looking for an individual who wishes to contribute to a high performing, dynamic team that works seamlessly within our wider national Movement & Place (Transport Planning) business. Collaborating with specialists from across our business as part of multi-disciplinary teams, you’ll provide expert input to support our clients on the development of innovative bus and rail plans and strategies at local, regional and national scales.

As one of our core public transport experts, you will:

• Lead public transport studies, such as bus and BRT route feasibility studies, overseeing scheme identification, scenario scoping, operations planning and costing, demand and revenue forecasting, service planning and business case development, using a variety of standard and innovative techniques and datasets.
• Shape strategy and policy - your knowledge and understanding of changes in public transport policy, funding, governance and delivery will feed through to technical workstreams across our project portfolio.
• Help our clients achieve their commitments and ambitions - experience with BSIPs and EPs will support our delivery of these services to our clients.
• Develop investment cases, supporting the planning and development of new public transport infrastructure, such as priority measures, interchanges, mobility hubs and Park & Ride facilities.
• Collaborate across disciplines - you will work closely with active travel, Net Zero and development planning colleagues to develop policies, strategies and investment cases for corridor schemes and regeneration initiatives, and feed into their projects to provide a bus perspective.
• Support growth and client relationships, joining a team with a well-balanced blend of skills focused on meeting and exceeding our clients’ needs. You will be comfortable engaging with clients directly at all levels, including elected members.

You may have helped shape a BSIP, supported a franchising assessment, redesigned a bus network or developed investment cases for public transport improvements. Above all, you'll be passionate about improving public transport outcomes. We are looking for an enthusiastic transport professional with senior experience to add further value and support our ambitious growth agenda. You should be flexible, self-motivated, and able to demonstrate relevant knowledge and technical experience commensurate with your level of experience in areas such as:

• UK government bus policy.
• A strong understanding of the political and economic factors influencing transport planning, including public transport reform, bus franchising, devolution and decarbonisation.
• Sound technical understanding of transport planning principles and appraisal techniques.
• Excellent communication and report writing skills, with experience engaging internal teams, clients, and stakeholders.

Desirable experience includes:

• Transport strategies and policy development by local transport authorities, preferably public transport focused.
• Feasibility studies and accessibility analysis, including bus network planning and use of software tools.
• Use and analysis of national, regional and local datasets.
• Multi-modal transport planning and scheme development, including the use of industry-focused software.
• Stakeholder relations, public engagement and strategy development.
• Scheme appraisal and business case preparation.
• Knowledge of the current proposals around UK rail industry reform.
• Awareness of new/emerging technologies and their potential role in an integrated transport system.

Strong analytical, numeracy, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and support evidence-based decision making. Ability to develop positive client relationships. Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs to tight deadlines. Confident team player, capable of working collaboratively and independently.

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria.