Principal Transport Planner – Development Management

Overview

As a Principal or Associate Director Transport Planner, you lead highways development management for public sector clients, ensuring policy-compliant transport decisions in planning contexts. You’ll advise on planning applications, mentor junior staff, and nurture strong local authority relationships. This role offers broad project exposure and a chance to shape development outcomes in a multidisciplinary, collaborative environment. You’ll contribute to safer, more sustainable mobility with direct impact on places.

Pay / Benefits

• Up to 10% pension
• 24 days (+10 days bought) holidays
• Free medical and income protection insurance
• flexible working and hybrid policy

Responsibilities

• Lead and support transport advice for public sector clients within the planning system
• Review planning applications and ensure developments are safe, policy-compliant, and deliverable
• Apply sound judgement and communicate technical advice clearly in a busy team
• Develop junior team members and build capability in Development Management
• Maintain relationships with local authority clients and support team growth
• Engage with planners, developers, and stakeholders to integrate transport into development decisions
• Challenget proposals where needed to ensure appropriate transport considerations are included in decisions
• Contribute to a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment and support meaningful projects

Key requirements

• Degree qualified in Transport Planning or a related discipline (e.g. Civil Engineering, Geography, Urban Planning)
• Proven Highways Development Management experience within transport planning
• Experience acting on behalf of Highway Authorities
• Experience reviewing planning applications and applying policy with balanced judgement
• Strong technical capability including reviewing transport assessments, data analysis, and providing practical recommendations

• collaboration
• clear communication
• stakeholder engagement
• transport assessments
• data analysis
• policy application

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