At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful transport evaluations and engage with key stakeholders.
- Company: Join a leading consultancy dedicated to economic development and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, generous leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; we encourage diverse applicants.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in transport policy while growing your career.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in monitoring and evaluation, especially in transport.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Steer Economic Development is seeking an evaluation specialist to join our team of high-performing economic development consultants. You will work on a range of different projects, for national, regional and local public sector clients, including process and impact evaluations, evaluation plans and evaluation scoping studies. Your skillset will include quantitative and qualitative research techniques, as well as familiarity with a range of evaluation techniques such as theory-based methods and counterfactual design.
Main Responsibilities and Accountabilities
- Leadership of Transport Evaluation Portfolio: Provide strategic leadership for the consultancy’s transport evaluation portfolio, positioning Steer as a recognised leader in Monitoring and Evaluation for transport and mobility. Build on Steer’s growing credentials in the sector, identifying opportunities to expand influence and impact with key clients. Leverage expertise across the wider organisation to deliver integrated, cross-cutting evaluation offers. Act as senior representative of the firm in the transport evaluation field, engaging with policy-makers, academics, and professional networks.
- Technical Leadership: Lead the design and implementation of complex evaluations in the transport sector, ensuring methodological rigour and relevance. Provide technical direction on evaluation methodologies. Ensure evaluations integrate sector-specific dimensions such as modal shift, accessibility, safety, equity, climate and environmental impacts, and cost-benefit analysis. Act as a thought leader, producing and disseminating insights, learning products, and guidance on evaluation approaches in the transport domain.
- Client & Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as senior advisor to clients including government departments and public sector bodies. Build and maintain trusted long-term relationships with senior stakeholders, providing evidence-based advice to inform strategic decisions in transport policy and programming. Represent Steer at conferences, industry panels, and thought-leadership events.
- Business Development & Growth: Drive growth of the transport evaluation portfolio through successful leadership of bids and proposals. Identify and pursue new opportunities, cultivating partnerships and alliances that strengthen Steer’s market position. Contribute to Steer-wide strategic planning, helping shape the consultancy’s long-term vision for monitoring and evaluation.
- Team Leadership & Capacity Development: Lead multidisciplinary project teams, ensuring delivery of high-quality outputs on time and within budget. Mentor and coach colleagues at all levels, building in-house expertise in monitoring and evaluation. Work with the senior team to promote a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and learning across the practice.
Requirements
- Education & Qualifications: Degree in social science subject or equivalent experience in a related discipline.
- Experience: 10+ years’ experience in monitoring and evaluation, with significant focus on transport and infrastructure programmes. Proven track record of leading the design and delivery of large, complex transport evaluations at the regional and national level covering net zero, innovation, infrastructure, or devolved funding. Demonstrated expertise across a range of evaluation methodologies, including theory-based, experimental, and mixed-methods approaches. Experience in integrating sector-specific issues into evaluations, such as climate impacts, accessibility, safety, behaviour change, and equity. Strong portfolio of work with governments or other public sector organisations in the transport space. Evidence of thought leadership (publications, conference presentations, advisory roles). Experience winning and managing high-value contracts, and growing sector portfolios.
- Skills & Attributes: Recognised technical authority in evaluation methods and application to transport. Strategic leadership skills with ability to build and grow a portfolio area. Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills at senior levels. Strong project and people management abilities, including mentoring and developing teams. Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with ability to present complex findings clearly to diverse audiences.
Benefits
- Private medical insurance and health screening
- Life assurance and group income protection
- Company pension scheme
- EAP and mental health first aiders
- 25 days annual leave and ability to buy and sell annual leave days
- Season Ticket Loan/ Cycle to Work
- Group Share Incentive Plan
- Up to 5 days for volunteering activities
- Discretionary bonus scheme based on annual compensation (dependent upon individual and company performance)
Compensation
Steer is committed to ensuring that all its employees are compensated a fair, liveable wage. All initial compensation, regardless of location, may be subject to change as skills, abilities, internal equity and geographic location are taken into account. In addition to base salary, all employees will be eligible for an annual discretionary performance bonus. Please review the benefits section for more information on total reward. Steer reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional compensation.
Work Environment
All Steer employees seeking a full-time opportunity are encouraged to spend 60% of their time either in the office or on-site with clients. An employee’s typical work week consists of hours (Hours, expectations, and exemption status will be adjusted for any applicant seeking a part-time opportunity.) We understand that some may be dissuaded to apply based on their compatibility with the job description. That being said, we understand that not everyone is a perfect match on paper and encourage anyone to apply regardless of how much their work experience directly relates to the job description. Part-time and flexible working applications will be considered.
Ready to apply? Just complete our brief online application form and attach your CV and covering letter.
Evaluation Specialist: Associate / Associate Director employer: Steer
Steer is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture in Manchester that fosters collaboration and innovation. Employees benefit from comprehensive perks such as private medical insurance, a robust pension scheme, and performance-based bonuses, all while having the opportunity to grow professionally in a supportive environment focused on major events and transport strategy.
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We think you need these skills to ace Evaluation Specialist: Associate / Associate Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for Steer and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Steer
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with Steer, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
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The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
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Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for Steer.
