Senior Transport Planner in Sheffield

Sheffield City Council is looking for a highly motivated and analytical Senior Transport Planner (Transport Data Officer) to join our City Transport team. Data plays a critical role in how we understand our transport network, measure outcomes and make informed decisions that improve the lives of people across Sheffield. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the development of our transport data capability, ensuring that high-quality evidence supports transport planning, policy development, investment decisions and performance monitoring across the city.

As Transport Data Officer, you will be responsible for developing and managing transport data systems, processes and intelligence. You will establish and maintain a comprehensive transport data library, oversee the collection and management of datasets from a range of sources, and identify opportunities to improve data quality, accessibility and efficiency. You will analyse quantitative, qualitative and spatial datasets, transforming complex information into meaningful insights that support evidence-based decision-making. The role requires someone who can not only understand data, but also tell the story behind it—identifying trends, explaining implications and helping colleagues use evidence effectively in transport planning and policy development.

The successful candidate will lead on the development of performance indicators and monitoring frameworks, including corporate measures, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority metrics and transport delivery plan indicators. You will be responsible for monitoring, benchmarking and reporting on performance and outcomes. You will also manage and interpret data relating to key areas of transport policy and service delivery, including:

• Road safety and casualty analysis.
• Air quality and traffic monitoring.
• Highways network management and urban traffic control systems.
• Public transport patronage and service performance.
• Scheme monitoring, including pre- and post-implementation evaluation.

The role offers opportunities to develop innovative approaches to data management and visualisation, including the use of GIS and Power BI, helping the service make better use of technology and evidence.

We are looking for someone with:

• Experience of analysing and interpreting complex datasets and presenting findings clearly to a range of audiences.
• Knowledge of data management principles and performance reporting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate technical information into clear and meaningful insights.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience of working collaboratively across teams and with external partners.
• An understanding of transport, planning, environmental or related disciplines.

You will be comfortable managing multiple priorities, developing innovative solutions and working within a complex organisational and political environment. It would be advantageous if you have:

• Experience of DAX (Data Analysis Expressions).
• Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300) certification or similar.
• Experience of developing advanced reporting and analytical products.
• Knowledge of transport datasets and monitoring frameworks.
• Experience using data visualisation and analytical tools such as Power BI and GIS.

You will be educated to degree level, or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience, in a relevant discipline such as transport planning, data analytics, environmental studies or a related subject. Professional development and membership of a relevant professional body would be advantageous.

At Sheffield City Council, people are at the heart of what we do. We are committed to openness, honesty and working together to deliver positive outcomes for our city. You'll join a supportive team that values innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement, while helping shape transport policy and investment decisions that make a real difference to Sheffield's communities.

We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly. Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form.

Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share. If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade. Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.