Assurance Manager (Internal Applicants Only) in Manchester

Transport for the North (TfN) was established in 2018 and provides pan-Northern strategic leadership for transport across the North of England. TfN brings together the North’s 11 combined authorities, political leaders, businesses and delivery partners, working closely with government, Network Rail and National Highways. Collaboration is central to our role, enabling us to bring the North together around shared strategic transport ambitions.

As the region continues to evolve, TfN is continuing to reset and renew its offer in response to a rapidly changing landscape, supporting the transition towards a more devolved, locally led transport environment. This marks a new chapter for TfN as we become a more agile and responsive organisation, shaped by the needs of our Board, members and partners. Our focus is on using TfN’s analytical and technical capabilities to deliver high-quality data, tools and intelligence that strengthen plan-making and business case development across the North.

We provide the insight and evidence our members and partners need to develop stronger transport plans, secure investment and achieve better outcomes for their communities. We are working closely with the North’s mayors, leaders and partners to understand their priorities and bring them together around shared ambitions for the region. Alongside this, we continue to work with our Board, constituent authorities and the Department for Transport (DfT) to shape TfN’s future role and ensure alignment with the North’s long-term priorities, supporting sustainable economic growth across the region.

By providing a pan-Northern perspective, TfN plays a vital role in supporting collaboration, aligning priorities and delivering the data and insight needed to progress shared transport ambitions.

Role Overview:

Transport for the North’s NPR Analysis team is split into two closely related core activities of:

• data analytics, modelling and appraisal
• technical management and assurance

The analytical team can expect to be involved across both activities, but role profiles are tailored primarily towards one activity. This role is tailored towards technical management and assurance. It is expected to include greater involvement in leading the assurance of data analytics, modelling and appraisal developed both internally and externally.

As Manager of the Assurance Team (technical management & assurance) you will be required to pro‑actively lead, co-ordinate and oversee the team of internal colleagues and supporting external contractors, delivering information, data, analysis, modelling and appraisal solutions, and technical management and assurance that aid others in the production of recommendations/outputs. You will be expected to develop service-wide policies and processes and contribute to the development of strategies; you will build extensive networks and manage a team to deliver required service objectives.

This role is pivotal in jointly leading work supporting the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) business cases analysis undertaken for Department for Transport (DfT) under a grant funding agreement. This requires frequent engagement with DfT officials and interpreting the scheme and their objectives in developing the business cases. There is also the opportunity to lead wider support for partner transport business cases.

Using TfN’s Analytical Framework there is the opportunity to predict the impacts of the scheme in conventional transport terms, the impact of the economy and what it will mean for access to opportunities and equitable decisions, backed by robust evidence. As we are developing evidence to transform the North out as far as 2060, we try to account for diverse views as best we can. This is helped by having a more diverse TAME team that better represents the variety of geographies and communities in the North, allowing us to develop a more balanced view.

You will be expected to collaborate with a diverse group of colleagues and stakeholders, and ensure processes and policies are developed, managed and implemented effectively. This includes working closely with our strategy leads.

What we’re looking for:

The successful candidate will have experience of leading transport modelling and analytical approaches to transport intervention appraisal; and experience of leading business case development for public policy interventions, particularly supporting the production of strategic and economic cases. You must also possess an excellent track record of successfully delivering projects and should be able to demonstrate leading collaborations with technical and non-technical audiences. The ability to lead, manage and motivate a team is also essential.

Candidates must be educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject, with a professional qualification or equivalent experience.

Requirements:

Closing Date: 12:00pm, 7th May 2026
Provisional Interview Date: w/c 11th May

Please note individuals at potential risk of redundancy will be considered first for this vacancy before any other internal candidates.