Head of Transport in Gateshead

Do you want to lead the transport and local flood authority services that keep Gateshead moving, ensuring safe, modern and sustainable infrastructure for residents, businesses and communities? If that sounds like you, keep reading we might be the perfect match.

These roles form part of a wider organisational redesign to deliver high-quality, efficient services for the people of Gateshead. It supports our commitment to putting residents at the heart of everything we do and enabling everyone in our borough to thrive. Our Planning & Transport Service plays a vital role in shaping how Gateshead grows, moves and connects. From developing transport strategy and engineering design, to managing the local network, delivering capital schemes, fulfilling Lead Local Flood Authority responsibilities and overseeing parking and highway enforcement, the service helps create safe, accessible and well connected places that support residents, businesses and the wider economy.

What You Will Do

• Lead the provision of transport services to ensure the Council meets its statutory and non‑statutory responsibilities.
• Manage employees, budgets, assets and performance to deliver efficient, modern and effective services.
• Make decisions under delegated powers on transport matters.
• Lead and contribute to corporate initiatives, ensuring services adapt to meet Council priorities.
• Work across Council services and contribute to wider organisational priorities as part of the senior leadership team.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners to align service delivery and drive improvement.
• Provide expert guidance and advice to Members, committees and senior officers on transport, engineering and regulatory matters.
• Motivate and inspire teams to deliver high quality services and support corporate objectives.
• Ensure all operations comply with legislation, the Council’s constitution, policies and professional standards.
• Respond to media and public enquiries in partnership with the Communications Team.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of Planning & Transport services and the wider Economy, Innovation & Growth group.
• Represent Gateshead nationally, regionally and locally on transport and engineering matters.
• Oversee delivery of the capital programme and ensure compliance with LLFA responsibilities.
• Lead emergency planning arrangements for transport related incidents.
• Deputise for the Service Director and Strategic Director as required.
• Manage our funding and infrastructure strategy.

What You Will Bring

• A professional qualification in a relevant transport or engineering discipline.
• Extensive post‑qualification experience across transport, engineering or related fields.
• Senior leadership and budget management experience within a complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of local authority legislation, committees, procedures and delegated decision making.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering performance improvement, major projects and programme management.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and engagement skills, including presenting to Members and representing the Council at regional and national level.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and manage diverse teams and organise change across multiple disciplines.

What’s In It For You

• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We invest in your future.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Hybrid & Flexible Working: Healthy work‑life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
• Learning & Development: Wide range of training, development and progression opportunities.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: Discounted gym memberships and mental health resources.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with a tax‑efficient programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Salary sacrifice car scheme through NHS Fleet Solutions.
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: VIVUP platform provides discounts on shopping, travel and services and salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics and more.

Our Commitment to You

We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.