Associate Partner Transport Planner

Carrington West; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday + Bank holidays

5% employer pension contributions

Discretionary Bonus Scheme

Professional development and training

Payment of 2 x professional subs

Private Medical Insurance

Life Assurance

Critical Illness

Job summary

Carrington West is seeking an Associate Partner to oversee multiple large-scale transport planning projects and act as a trusted client advisor across an established UK consultancy. You will mentor teams, drive strategic growth, and contribute to the firm’s growing reputation with senior clients and stakeholders.

The role emphasizes leadership, risk management, and cross-functional delivery, with opportunities to participate in expert witness activities and industry promotion.

Qualifications

• Extensive development-related transport planning experience.
• Proven ability to lead multiple large projects and workstreams.
• Strong client advisory skills with senior stakeholders.
• Excellent problem solving and guidance across teams.
• Commercial awareness with experience in business development.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage large, complex transport planning projects across multiple streams.
• Provide strategic guidance and expert transport planning advice to clients.
• Negotiate with multiple stakeholders to resolve complex issues.
• Identify and manage project risks to maintain delivery standards.
• Provide mentoring and guidance to staff across project work.
• Support or act as an Expert Witness when required (optional).
• Contribute to practice improvement and organisational development.

Skills

Transport planning leadership

Client relationship management

Project leadership

Negotiation skills

Mentoring and staff development

Education

Chartered membership of CIHT/TPS/CILT

Job description

Job Purpose

You will be working for one of the UK's largest independent transport planning consultancies with offices across the UK.

The company is committed to helping their clients find effective, innovative solutions to complex transport challenges, while fostering a collaborative and supportive internal culture where people can thrive.

As an Associate Partner, you will oversee multiple large-scale projects, act as a trusted advisor to clients, mentor and develop teams, and contribute to the strategic growth and reputation of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage large, complex transport planning projects, overseeing multiple workstreams and ensuring high-quality delivery across technical, financial, and operational aspects.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients and stakeholders, providing strategic guidance and expert transport planning advice.
• Conduct negotiations with multiple stakeholders, resolving complex issues and ensuring successful outcomes.
• Identify, assess, and manage project risks to minimise impact and maintain delivery standards.
• Provide prominent troubleshooting and guidance within the team, supporting colleagues across all aspects of project work.
• Support or act as an Expert Witness when required, providing authoritative input on technical matters (optional).
• Contribute to organisational development by participating in operational groups and practice improvement initiatives.

Other Duties

• Promote and represent the profession through webinars, seminars, conferences, and professional institution activities.
• Contribute to business growth through work-winning activities, securing repeat business, and maintaining a strong client base.
• Support the development and mentoring of senior and junior staff, fostering professional growth and knowledge sharing.
• Oversee commercial success, including WIP management, budgetary control, and aged debtor management.
• Actively participate in strategic initiatives to enhance practice reputation, operational efficiency, and service delivery.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Extensive experience in development-related transport planning with a strong track record of leading large, complex projects.
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional institution (e.g., CIHT, TPS, CILT).
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, resources, and budgets effectively.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and ability to provide guidance and support across teams.
• Strong client relationship management skills, with experience acting as a trusted advisor to senior clients and stakeholders.
• Ability to negotiate successfully with multiple parties and resolve complex challenges.
• Commercially aware with experience in business development and contributing to practice growth.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with a history of mentoring and developing staff.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, capable of delivering technical advice clearly and confidently.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience acting as an Expert Witness in planning or transport matters.
• Track record of strategic business contributions, including shaping operational practices and organisational growth.
• Proven ability to generate repeat business and cultivate a portfolio of commercial clients.
• Engagement in professional promotion activities such as conferences, seminars, and industry events.
• Knowledge of sustainability, active travel, and decarbonisation initiatives within transport planning.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday + Bank holidays (increasing to 30 days with long service)
• 5% employer pension contributions (increasing to 15% with long service)
• Discretionary Bonus Scheme
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Payment of 2 x professional subscriptions
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Critical Illness