Principal Analyst (Internal Applicants Only) in Manchester

Reference: APR20269055

Expiry date: 11:00, Thu, 7th May 2026

Location: Manchester

Benefits: 28 days holiday per annum plus bank holidays, access to the local government pension scheme, access to various salary sacrifice benefits, access to Flexi-Time Scheme, allowing accrual of up to 18 additional days leave per year.

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, so too must the organisations that serve it. 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

We are looking to appoint a Principal Analyst. The role will focus on managing the application of TfN’s Analytical Framework by TAME staff and external suppliers, across a busy and challenging analytical programme. Responsibilities include:

• Managing the programme and development of appraisal tools and processes which support business case delivery.
• Managing and supporting a wide variety of TfN and partner business cases on transport investment across the North.
• Managing the integration of technical elements of supplier and TfN analytical tasks into an integrated programme.
• Leading technical assurance on outputs from TfN’s Analytical Framework.
• Engagement with Partners, including the DfT and Local Transport Authorities to discuss technical work.

The Principal Analyst will be required to lead a sub‑team of internal colleagues or manage external contractors, delivering information, data, analysis, modelling and appraisal solutions that provide insight to policy makers. You will be expected to collaborate widely, internally and externally, and will ensure processes and policies are developed, managed and implemented effectively. You will also be part of TAME’s leadership team, with responsibilities for line management, business planning, procurement and finance.

What we’re looking for

The successful candidate will have a strong track record in transport planning and applying modelling and data analytics solutions within a business case setting, for rail and/or highway schemes. Demonstrable experience of planning and managing projects/programmes of work, and managing programmes involving application of transport models. You must also have the ability to lead the development of complex technical outputs and offer input to the development of strategies, plans and business cases.

As a leader you will be confident representing TfN in public, professional and stakeholder forums and will be able to demonstrate your effectiveness, managing complex working relationships with external and internal stakeholders at a strategic level. Candidates must be educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject, with a professional qualification or equivalent experience.

About you

As a Principal Analyst you will work in TfN’s TAME team to provide the responsibilities set out in the role profile, including to provide transport‑related evidence for the North as per TfN’s Business Plan activities and on delivery of technical elements of the Governments Integrated Rail Plan. You will be expected to take responsibility of managing the application of TAME’s Analytical Framework across our Integrated Rail Plan programme, and prepare robust evidence for use by internal or external stakeholders.

The work is collaborative and requirements guided with time for training and development and provides an exciting opportunity to be part of a growing and vibrant team, driving the use of innovative techniques to solve real‑world problems. Candidates must possess a highly numerate degree or possess substantial equivalent experience.

Closing Date: Thursday 7th May 2026

Provisional Interview Date: w/c 11th May 2026