At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transport initiatives to enhance public transport at London Luton Airport.
- Company: Join London Luton Airport, a key player in sustainable travel and passenger experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, 25 days holiday, private health insurance, and travel perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on transport sustainability while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Transport Planning qualification or significant experience in strategic transport project delivery required.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are core values; all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 55000 £ per year.
Job Description
TITLE: Transport Delivery Lead (£55k-£65k)
DEPARTMENT: Commercial – Surface Access
REPORTS TO: Senior Surface Access Manager
WORK PATTERNS: Full Time (hybrid)
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Tuesday 26th August
INTERVIEW DATES: Week commencing 1st September
Help shape the future of sustainable travel at one of the UK’s busiest airports. At London Luton Airport (LLA), delivering a seamless, modern, and sustainable public transport experience is essential to our ambition to be the UK’s simplest and friendliest major airport. As we grow, we’re working to ensure that millions more journeys are made by public and shared transport, making travel better for people, and reducing the impact of our operations.
The Surface Access team leads this mission, overseeing strategic planning and delivery of all ground transport services used by over 17 million passengers and more than 10,000 airport staff each year. We’ve also launched our Sustainable Investment Fund (SIF) a nascent and bold new portfolio of projects designed to drive modal shift across Rail, DART, Coach and Bus services.
Now we’re looking for a passionate and capable Transport Delivery Lead to join our small but influential team. If you thrive in a fast-moving, multi-stakeholder environment, and you want to make a genuine impact on the future of transport, this is your opportunity.
In return, we offer:
- Competitive salary
- Flexible hybrid working
- 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays)
- Generous company pension
- BUPA private health insurance
- Discounted rail season tickets and other travel perks
JOB PURPOSE SUMMARY:
The Transport Delivery Lead will work closely with the Senior Surface Access Manager to deliver a diverse programme of strategic transport initiatives aimed at increasing public transport usage to and from the airport. The role involves managing high-profile relationships, driving complex delivery programmes and unlocking funding and operational partnerships across both public and private sectors.
You will take a lead role in shaping LLA’s multi-modal transport offer, enhancing the passenger and staff experience, supporting decarbonisation goals and ensuring public transport keeps pace with the airport’s growth.
Working dynamically within the Surface Access team, and with departments from across the airport, you will also contribute to the development of our early career professionals with potential line management responsibility as the team continues to develop in response to LLA’s changing transport needs.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Manage key external relationships with transport operators (Rail, DART, Bus, Coach) and delivery partners to define outcomes and deliver initiatives on time and within budget.
- Lead working groups and workstreams within the Airport Transport Forum (ATF), including Rail, Highways, Coach and Bus, and build actionable consensus around shared priorities.
- Sponsor projects through internal governance processes, ensuring robust business cases, alignment with strategic goals and clear value for money.
- Collaborate with consultants and internal teams to shape and submit outcome-driven business cases, drawing on data, insight and emerging trends.
- Own and deliver key workstreams within the Sustainable Investment Fund (SIF), reporting on progress, risks and benefits realisation.
- Champion continuous improvement in the end-to-end transport experience, including infrastructure, service delivery, ticketing and information; both on- and off-airport.
- Deputise for the Senior Surface Access Manager in internal and external forums.
- Manage relationships with local and regional authorities, such as Luton, Central Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, including navigating political landscapes and unlocking funding or regulatory support.
- Identify and act on strategic risks and opportunities, using horizon scanning and sound judgement to stay ahead of potential blockers or enablers.
- Work cross-functionally with teams including Marketing, Legal, Procurement, Sustainability and Projects to ensure holistic programme delivery within a Transport context.
- Contribute to future thinking around transport technology, decarbonisation, behavioural change and customer experience.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- Transport Planning Qualification and/or Experience – A relevant academic qualification such as an MSc in Transport Planning or professional accreditation such as TPP. Alternatively, significant demonstrable experience of the strategic planning and delivering transport projects in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
- Project and Programme Management – Proven experience delivering transport-related projects from concept through to implementation, including planning, stakeholder coordination, risk management and performance monitoring. Able to manage multiple workstreams under pressure while maintaining strategic focus.
- Problem Solving, Strategic Risk Awareness and Decision Making – Strong analytical skills with a forward-thinking approach to spotting challenges and opportunities early. Skilled in navigating ambiguity, balancing trade-offs and making clear, evidence-based decisions that protect delivery and unlock progress.
- Stakeholder Management, Communication and Influence – Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across diverse stakeholder groups. Confident operating at senior levels in both the public and private sectors, with strong political, transport industry, and commercial awareness.
- Business Case Development and Strategic Planning – Experience preparing business cases aligned to funding objectives and wider policy goals. Able to distil complex transport, commercial and technical considerations into persuasive strategic narratives.
- Customer-Centric and Inclusive Approach – Awareness of how transport interventions affect different user groups. Committed to improving accessibility, inclusivity and the end-to-end travel experience for passengers and staff alike. Some understanding of the challenges and constraints of working in a live operational setting, particularly within a regulated, safety-critical or 24/7 environment such as an airport or transport hub would be beneficial.
- Data, Budget Management and Future Insight – Comfortable working with data to track performance, monitor impact and inform decisions, including financial. Able to translate insight into actionable recommendations and measurable benefits. An interest and or experience in emerging technologies, digital tools, Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), or innovative service delivery models that enhance public transport efficiency and user experience is also highly desirable.
- Leadership and Accountability – Takes ownership of projects and outcomes, with the ability to lead through influence and drive change across organisational boundaries. A natural collaborator with resilience and adaptability.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds
and experiences, especially those traditionally underrepresented in the transport and infrastructure sectors.
Transport Delivery Lead employer: London Luton Airport
Contact Detail:
London Luton Airport Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Transport Delivery Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in sustainable transport and public transport initiatives. Being knowledgeable about current projects and innovations in the field will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the transport sector, especially those involved with airports or public transport systems. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to build connections that could provide insights or referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing complex projects and stakeholder relationships. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated challenges in multi-stakeholder environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your understanding of the local transport landscape and any relevant political dynamics. This knowledge can set you apart as a candidate who is not only qualified but also deeply invested in the community's transport needs.
We think you need these skills to ace Transport Delivery Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in transport planning and project management. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you meet the specific requirements for the Transport Delivery Lead role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for sustainable travel and your ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships. Be sure to mention any relevant projects you've led and how they align with the goals of London Luton Airport.
Highlight Key Skills: In your application, emphasise skills such as stakeholder management, problem-solving, and strategic planning. Provide examples of how you've successfully navigated multi-stakeholder environments and delivered transport-related projects.
Showcase Your Understanding of the Sector: Demonstrate your knowledge of current trends in transport, decarbonisation, and customer experience. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that show you are well-versed in the challenges and opportunities within the transport sector.
How to prepare for a job interview at London Luton Airport
✨Know Your Transport Planning
Make sure you brush up on your transport planning qualifications and experience. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those involving complex stakeholder environments. This will show your understanding of the role's requirements.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed relationships with various stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight your ability to influence and collaborate across different sectors, as this is crucial for the Transport Delivery Lead position.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Abilities
Be prepared to discuss challenges you've faced in past projects and how you navigated them. Use specific examples to illustrate your analytical skills and decision-making process, particularly in high-pressure situations.
✨Emphasise a Customer-Centric Approach
Talk about your commitment to improving the travel experience for all users. Share any relevant experiences where you've considered inclusivity and accessibility in transport interventions, as this aligns with the company's values.