Associate Director - Transport Planner

BWB Consulting Limited; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

25 days holiday

Pension match

Life assurance

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

BWB Consulting Limited is seeking an Associate Director Transport Planner to lead strategic transport planning on large projects, including DCOs and expert witness work, from offices in the East or West Midlands.

You will build client relationships, develop the portfolio, mentor the Transport & Accessibility Planning team, and contribute to cross-disciplinary growth across the business with a collaborative, delivery-focused approach.

Qualifications

• Proven project lead on Transport & Accessibility Planning projects from proposal to discharge of planning conditions.
• Experience with Development Consent Orders (DCOs) and Examination in Public expert witness projects.
• Ability to deliver technical outputs and address client requirements through planning and delivery.

Responsibilities

• Ensure delivery of high quality project services for our Clients, delivering solutions and working in collaboration with the management team, with a view to gaining approvals and repeat business from key Clients.
• Be a key Client contact and conduit for Transport & Accessibility Planning and Advisory service, leading on large projects, and DCOs in particular, together with associated Examination and expert witness support.
• Help the service gain expertise and knowledge in areas of planning, development and infrastructure processes with the Client in mind.
• Provide input and assistance to co-ordinate/deliver Client Account Plans and manage Client relationships, as required.
• Contribute to discipline, divisional and regional meetings, as required.
• Contribute to the growth of the Transport & Accessibility Planning team, wider Advisory division, and respective region.
• Act in the role of Project Lead of multi-disciplinary BWB teams in both an inward and outward facing capacity where necessary.

Skills

Project leadership

Client relationship management

Transport planning

DCOs knowledge

Education

CIHT membership

Job description

Associate Director Transport Planner

Combining technical expertise and extensive knowledge, our Transport & Accessibility Planning team continually deliver sustainable, accessible and cost-effective developments for Clients. Join us in challenging traditional thinking by identifying pragmatic and innovative transport solutions in our work, which we take pride in assisting our fantastic range of public and private sector Clients with.

Who we are & what we stand for

At BWB Consulting, we’re more than engineers – we’re trusted partners, innovators, and problem-solvers. Recognised as ACE Best Large Consultancy of the Year 2022 and proudly accredited with Investors in People and Investors in Wellbeing, our award-winning culture is built on excellence, collaboration, and sustainability. We push boundaries to deliver exceptional results for our clients – and create meaningful impact for the communities we serve.

What we are looking for

BWB Consulting has an exciting opportunity for an Associate Director Transport Planner to join our growing Transport & Accessibility Planning team, ideally in the East (Nottingham) or West (Birmingham) Midlands, albeit we are open minded with regards to our other office locations (Leeds, London, and Manchester).

As part of this role, there will be a focus on undertaking a strategic lead on large projects, including Development Consent Orders (DCO) and associated Examination (expert witness) involvement, as well as building and developing Client relationships. You will also play a role in maintaining and building our current portfolio, and be a fundamental part of the Transport & Accessibility Planning senior team growing and diversifying our pipeline.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Ensure delivery of high quality project services for our Clients, delivering solutions and working in collaboration with the management team, with a view to gaining approvals and repeat business from key Clients.
• Be a key Client contact and conduit for Transport & Accessibility Planning and Advisory service, leading on large projects, and DCOs in particular, together with associated Examination and expert witness support.
• Help the service gain expertise and knowledge in areas of planning, development and infrastructure processes with the Client in mind.
• Provide input and assistance to co-ordinate/deliver Client Account Plans and manage Client relationships, as required.
• Contribute to discipline, divisional and regional meetings, as required.
• Contribute to the growth of the Transport & Accessibility Planning team, wider Advisory division, and respective region.
• Act in the role of Project Lead of multi-disciplinary BWB teams in both an inward and outward facing capacity where necessary.

What You’ll Bring

The successful candidate will be a proven project lead/co-ordinator of the diverse range of Transport & Accessibility Planning and multidisciplinary projects from proposal stage to the discharge of planning conditions and beyond. Involvement in DCOs and Examination in Public expert witness projects. Proven delivery of various technical outputs and experience of addressing Client requirements through planning and delivery is also essential. In addition to this the successful candidate will have the following qualities:

• Proactive character, with strong team working skills;
• Flexibility to work to demanding timescales;
• Excellent project management and organisational skills;
• Ability to work and succeed in high pressure situations;
• Attention to detail;
• Client commercial focus and ability to solve complex problems;
• An innovative streak, adaptability and one who strives to develop alternative strategies and challenges the norm;
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills and the ability to adapt this to a broad audience;
• A visible and participative technical leader, willing and able to take responsibility and be held to account for the work undertaken;
• Proven ability to adapt to the needs of differing Clients/situations and takes the initiative;
• Sound understanding and associated experience of Transport Planning work and wider BWB Pre-Planning services on offer to Clients; and
• Membership of a relevant professional institution (CIHT, CILT, IHE, TPS, ICE).

What we offer

• Inclusive Culture – Bring your authentic self to work every day.
• Competitive Rewards – Salary, 5% pension match, life assurance, and long-service recognition.
• Time Off & Flexibility – 25 days’ holiday (rising to 28), option to buy more, hybrid working (3 days office), and flexible core hours.
• Health & Wellbeing – Westfield Health, healthcare cash plan, Cycle to Work scheme, wellbeing initiatives.
• Growth & Development – Fully funded training, Chartership support, and paid professional subscriptions.
• Community & Connection – Volunteering days, social events, discounts, and savings.

Accessibility & Adjustments

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.

If you have a medical condition or an individual need for an adjustment to our process, and you believe this may affect your ability to be your best - please let us know so we can talk about how we can best support you and make any adjustments that may be needed.