Black Country Principal Transport Planner

We Manage Jobs(WMJobs); Wolverhampton; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Black Country Transport (BCT) is seeking an experienced Principal Transport Planner to shape transport strategy, policy, active travel and major programmes on behalf of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton councils. You will lead cross‑council initiatives and influence senior stakeholders to drive regional impact.

You will hold a degree in a relevant discipline with postgraduate qualification preferred, and bring extensive knowledge of planning and transport legislation.

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant discipline is essential.
• Postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience is desirable.
• Experience in transport strategy and policy is essential.
• Comprehensive knowledge of planning and transport legislation and functions.
• Experience in project management and developing business cases.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to transport strategy, policy, active travel and major transport programmes for four councils.
• Shape long‑term transport policy and deliver tangible improvements for residents, businesses and visitors.
• Lead and influence at senior level, partnering with directors and regional partners.
• Manage complex projects within a public-sector environment.

Skills

Transport policy experience

Project management

Knowledge of planning and transport

Transport strategy development

Business case development

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Black Country Principal Transport Planner

Salary - £54,143 - £58,602 (Grade 8)

Hours - 37 Hrs per week

Contract type - full time, permanent

Work Style - Flexible: working from home with 2 days in a council location

Black Country Transport (BCT) is a collaborative partnership bringing together transport officers from Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton councils, supported by a central team that leads on the development and delivery of cross‑boundary transport schemes. By working collectively across local authority boundaries, BCT enables strategic planning, consistency of delivery and better outcomes for communities across the Black Country.

This is an exciting time to join Black Country Transport. The organisation has ambitious plans to grow the network of infrastructure in the Black Country, secure increased external funding, and become a centre of excellence for transport professionals.

We are seeking an experienced and forward‑thinking Principal Transport Planner to contribute to transport strategy, policy, active travel, innovation and the development of major transport programmes on behalf of the four Black Country local authorities. This role offers the opportunity to help shape long‑term transport policy and deliver tangible improvements for residents, businesses and visitors.

The successful candidate will have an appropriate degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline, and a post graduate qualification or equivalent experience. Experience within a transport strategy and policy environment is essential along with a detailed knowledge of planning and transport legislation and functions.

Experience working within the transport, regeneration and planning sector is required, alongside experience of project management and business case development. Understanding project delivery and acceptance processes within a local government is also essential.

Why Join Us?

• Make a real difference– shape transport systems that improve health, accessibility, safety and opportunity for Black Country communities
• Work at scale– lead strategic projects that cross local authority boundaries and have regional impact
• Influence and leadership– operate at a senior level, working closely with directors, elected members and regional partners
• Innovation with purpose– help deliver new approaches and technologies that support sustainable, future‑ready transport
• Supportive public‑sector environment– be part of a collaborative, values‑driven organisation committed to professional development and public service

For full details of the responsibilities and requirements of this role please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Our working arrangements

All council roles are allocated to either a fixed, field or flexible work style. Some roles are agile which enable and empower employees to maximise their performance and productivity, whilst maintaining a healthy work life balance. Roles with a fixed workstyle work in a fixed permanent council location. Roles with a field workstyle are usually allocated where employees are required to be out working in the community with a minimum requirement for 'touch down' space at any council location. Roles with a flexible workstyle have a flexible base location to meet the needs of the business and employees can work from a mixture of home or any council office, partner/client, or external location, as required to meet service requirements.

Please refer to the Job Description for further information on the workstyle assigned to the role you are applying for.

For more information about working for our organisation including the culture of the Council, the Council plan and vision, staff equality forums, core HR policies, employee benefits and much more please click here.

Diversity

We are committed to building a workforce that is reflective of the diverse community we serve. We want to attract the best applications from people of all backgrounds and underrepresented groups because we strongly believe in adding value through diversity, inclusion, and equality. Our employees enable us to deliver services that are accessible, inclusive, and reflective of Wolverhampton residents.

Our status as a Disability Confident Employer showcases our commitment to people with disabilities or health conditions, advocating for their opportunities and potential.

We've received the Stonewall Gold Award, emphasising our dedication to the LGBT+ community by nurturing an inspiring, inclusive, and equal workplace.

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the essential criteria for the post.

We encourage, inspire and value an inclusive culture here at the council where employees can flourish, thrive and be themselves. We have four staff equality forums for employees to join. These help to ensure our employees have a voice, they feel empowered to speak up and where everyone is treated with respect - Learn more about the staff equality forums here.

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders

We arecommittedto the fair treatment of all our employees, potential employees, or users of our service regardless of offending background. The Council uses the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for any vacancies that require a DBS check to obtain information about applicants to assess their suitability for employment in positions of trust. We do not discriminate unfairly against anyindividualon the basis of a conviction or any other information revealed as a result of a DBS disclosure - Learn more here

Employment Information & Support

If you are considering applying for an apprenticeship or a role where the salary is (Grade 2-5), and would like to visit us to learn about the application, interview process and what it is like to work for the council, please click on this link to find out more -Learn more here.

Attached documents

Job Description and Person Specification