Strategic Transport Innovation & Programme Manager
We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.
Directorate: Place (Transport)
Reports to: Head of Transport Strategy
Direct reports: Up to 5
Salary: £54,143-£59,748
Budget responsibility: £10 million
Shape thefuture of transport across the East Midlands
This is anexciting time to join the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) as wetake forward the devolution of transport and develop our first regional LocalTransport Plan.
We are lookingfor an experienced and ambitious Strategic Transport Innovation &Programme Manager to provide strategic leadership across some of the mostimportant and fast-moving areas of transport policy and investment.
This is a regional leadership role, giving you the opportunity to shape EMCCA's thinkingon transport innovation, future mobility, decarbonisation, zero-emission vehicles,electric vehicle infrastructure and active travel.
You will lookbeyond the immediate challenges facing the transport system and help usunderstand what transport could look like over the next 15–20 years. You'lllead horizon-scanning and strategic foresight, working with government,industry, technology providers, local authorities and other partners tounderstand emerging technologies, market developments, regulatory change andfuture mobility trends.
This includesemerging areas such as autonomous and connected vehicles, micromobility,drones and digital and data-enabled transport solutions.
At the sametime, you'll be responsible for turning strategic thinking into delivery,overseeing significant investment programmes and ensuring innovation leads totangible benefits for people, businesses and communities across the EastMidlands.
About the role
As StrategicTransport Innovation & Programme Manager, you will:
- Lead the development of long-termstrategies, policies and implementation programmes across transportinnovation, future mobility, decarbonisation, zero-emission vehicles,electric vehicle infrastructure and active travel.
- Provide strategic leadership on emerging transport technologies and their potential implications for theEast Midlands.
- Lead horizon-scanning, strategicforesight and market intelligence activity, considering developments overa 15–20 year planning horizon.
- Translate emerging marketdevelopments, technologies and regulatory changes into clear policy,investment and delivery recommendations.
- Shape EMCCA's transport strategies,policies and investment priorities as part of the development of theregional Local Transport Plan.
- Lead the development, funding anddelivery of significant transport programmes and investment portfolios.
- Oversee the procurement and rolloutof major electric vehicle infrastructure programmes across the region.
- Develop funding and investmentapproaches, including arrangements for allocating funding to localauthorities and delivery partners.
- Lead business case development,commissioning, procurement, contract management, programme assurance andbenefits realisation.
- Act as a recognised source ofexpertise and advice to senior leaders, elected members, localauthorities, government departments and partners.
- Build strong relationships withtechnology providers, industry leaders, government and transport bodies toidentify opportunities and influence future investment.
- Lead research, analytical andtechnical work to strengthen EMCCA's evidence base and support strategicdecision-making.
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team, while overseeing specialist consultants,contractors and delivery partners.
- Prepare high-quality reports,business cases and strategic recommendations for senior and politicaldecision-makers.
- Represent EMCCA at regional,national and industry forums, helping to raise the Authority's profile andinfluence.
- Manage significant capital andrevenue budgets of at least £10 million, ensuring strong financialgovernance, value for money and delivery against agreed outcomes.
About you
We are lookingfor a strategic thinker who can combine big-picture thinking with strongprogramme and commercial delivery skills.
You will haveextensive knowledge of transport innovation, future mobility, zero-emissionvehicles and emerging transport technologies, together with a strongunderstanding of how market developments can influence transport policy andinvestment.
You'll bringsignificant experience of developing transport strategies, policies or majorprogrammes within a complex public sector, political or partnershipenvironment.
In particular,you'll have:
- Significant experience of commercialnegotiation, procurement, commissioning and contract management,working with suppliers, consultants and delivery partners to achievestrategic outcomes.
- A proven ability to translatemarket intelligence and emerging developments into strategic policy andinvestment decisions.
- Experience of delivering complexprogrammes, including business case development, commissioning, deliveryoversight and evaluation.
- Strong experience of influencing,negotiating and building relationships with senior stakeholders, includinggovernment departments, local authorities, elected members, industryrepresentatives and technology providers.
- Experience of managing significantcapital and revenue budgets and ensuring effective financial governanceand value for money.
- Strong analytical and strategicthinking skills, with the ability to interpret complex technical,commercial and policy information and turn it into clear recommendations.
- An understanding of current andemerging legislative, regulatory and governance requirements.
- The ability to work confidentlyacross organisational boundaries and bring diverse partners togetheraround shared objectives.
Experience of horizonscanning, strategic foresight and assessing the implications of emerging technologies for transport policy and service delivery would be desirable.
Experience ofleading multidisciplinary teams and specialist consultants would also beadvantageous.
What you'll bring
You’ll beeducated to degree level or have equivalent experience in a relevant disciplineand will have evidence of substantial continuing professional developmentrelevant to transport, programme delivery, infrastructure, innovation or policydevelopment.
A relevantprofessional qualification, such as MSP, PRINCE2, APM, CIHT, TPS or ICE,would be desirable, as would membership of a relevant professional body.
Moreimportantly, you’ll bring the strategic credibility, commercial awareness andleadership capability to operate confidently with senior stakeholders and helpshape the future direction of transport across the region.
There hasrarely been a more interesting time to work in transport across the EastMidlands.
With transportdevolution underway and EMCCA developing its first regional Local TransportPlan, you’ll have the opportunity to influence policy and investment decisionsat a formative stage.
You’ll beworking at the intersection of transport policy, technology, infrastructure,investment and innovation, with the opportunity to look beyond today'stransport challenges and help shape the system the region will need in thefuture.
You’ll alsohave responsibility for delivering major programmes on the ground, includingambitious investment in electric vehicle infrastructure and transportdecarbonisation.
This is a rolefor someone who wants to think big, work with leaders in the field and turnstrategic ambition into transformational delivery.
Our values
Our valuesshape how we work and the leadership we expect from our people:
Lifting ourregion
We put widerregional outcomes ahead of personal or organisational gain and act aspassionate advocates for our place, policies and programmes.
Workingtogether
We build strongrelationships, provide constructive challenge and bring diverse partnerstogether to achieve shared outcomes.
Making animpact
We set out aclear rationale for our proposals, turn ideas into action and focus ondelivering meaningful, long-term improvements.
Being human
We valuedifferent perspectives, connect authentically with people and recognise theimportance of putting people at the centre of what we do.
If you have theexperience, ambition and strategic insight to help shape the future oftransport across the East Midlands, this is an opportunity to make asignificant impact.
You’ll helpEMCCA look ahead, shape regional policy, secure investment and deliverprogrammes that will influence how people and businesses move around the regionfor years to come.
ClosingDate: 11/10/2026
ProposedInterview Date: 30/10/2026
- Up to 10 days paid leave in a 12-month period for caring responsibilities
- A hybrid work model with remote working opportunities
- Maternity, Paternity, IVF, Adopters and Foster Carers support
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- 30 days holiday (plus 2 with continuous service) + bank holidays + your birthday (up to five extra days through salary sacrifice)
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