At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major transport investment projects and ensure effective delivery across city regions.
- Company: Department for Transport, committed to innovative infrastructure solutions.
- Benefits: Generous pension contributions, flexible working, and 25+ days annual leave.
- Other info: Join a diverse team with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of transport in England while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in overseeing complex infrastructure projects and strong communication skills.
Department for Transport
Location: Birmingham, Leeds (This role is suitable for hybrid working)
Salary: £72,281 - Plus a Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Contract Type: Permanent – Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Available Positions: 3
As Head of City Region Infrastructure Delivery, you will provide strategic leadership and delivery assurance for major transport investment across England’s city regions. Working closely with Mayoral Strategic Authorities, local authorities and senior government partners, you will oversee significant infrastructure programmes, provide constructive challenge and help maximise the benefits of public investment. This is an opportunity to shape DfT’s evolving approach to transport delivery within a fast-paced environment at the heart of the Government's commitment to deeper devolution.
Top Responsibilities
- Lead DfT's oversight and sponsorship of assigned city region infrastructure projects and programmes
- Build strong, trusting relationships and influence and negotiate effectively with Mayoral Strategic Authorities, delivery partners and colleagues across government
- Lead proportionate oversight of assigned projects, programmes and portfolios
- Develop the Directorate’s delivery capability, ensuring that delivery oversight and sponsorship approaches are complementary, proportionate and aligned
Benefits
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- Access to the staff discount portal.
- Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
- Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
- DfT prioritises investing in our project delivery professionals, because successful projects begin with skilled people. We offer funding for industry recognised qualifications e.g. APM PMQ, PRINCE2, and MSP, alongside leadership programmes. You will have access to targeted technical training, support for project delivery accreditation, and potential funding toward Chartered Project Professional (ChPP). From day one, mentoring, coaching, and the Government Online Skills Tool (GOST) are available to support your learning and development throughout your career in DfT.
About You
To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:
- Experience of leading the oversight, sponsorship or assurance of complex infrastructure projects, programmes or portfolios, with the ability to identify and manage delivery risk, provide effective challenge, and support strong governance in complex delivery environments.
- Effective communicating and influencing skills, including experience engaging with Ministers and senior officials, focusing on delivery effectiveness and value for money, and confidence in dealing with competing pressures and demands, acting with sensitivity and tact to reach consensus where challenges emerge.
- Excellent collaboration skills, with a proven background in working across diverse interest groups and engaging constructively with a range of perspectives. You will need to be able to provide robust challenge at times, and to be able to influence senior colleagues in our partner organisations without direct authority.
- Strong strategic judgement, with the ability to make effective decisions in conditions of ambiguity and incomplete evidence, balancing risk, opportunity and value for money.
The successful candidate must either hold or be willing to work towards the Government Project Delivery Accreditation once in role.
We are recruiting to three posts to complete our delivery leadership community in the Regions and Cities, Partnership and Delivery Directorate. One of three roles will focus on sponsoring the West Yorkshire Mass Transit programme, working closely with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and partners as it progresses through business case development, approvals and delivery planning. We would expect the postholder of this role to be based in our Leeds office.
How to Apply
Read the full description and apply at CS Jobs using the link provided. This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Tuesday 17th November 2026.
Head of City Region Infrastructure Delivery in Leeds employer: Department for Transport
The Department for Transport is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With flexible working options, generous annual leave, and a substantial pension contribution, employees are empowered to achieve a healthy work-life balance while contributing to meaningful projects that shape the future of transport in the UK. Join us in Birmingham, Hastings, Leeds, or Swansea, where you can develop your skills through various career development opportunities and be part of a diverse team committed to continuous improvement.
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of City Region Infrastructure Delivery in Leeds
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