Black Country Principal Transport Planner

Jobsgopublic Limited; Wolverhampton; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Black Country Transport seeks an experienced Principal Transport Planner to shape transport strategy, policy, active travel and major programmes for the four Black Country councils. You will work on cross-boundary schemes and support innovation within a collaborative public sector environment.

The role requires a degree (or equivalent) with postgraduate experience, strong knowledge of planning and transport law, and a proven track record in project management and business case development.

Qualifications

• A relevant degree or equivalent; postgraduate qualification preferred.
• Experience in transport strategy and policy environment essential.
• Knowledge of planning and transport legislation and functions.
• Experience in transport, regeneration and planning sector.
• Experience with project management and business case development.
• Understanding of local government project delivery and acceptance processes.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to transport strategy, policy and active travel initiatives.
• Develop major transport programmes for the four authorities.
• Engage with directors, elected members and regional partners.

Skills

Transport planning experience

Policy development

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree or equivalent 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.

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

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders

We are committed to 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 any individual on the basis of a conviction or any other information revealed as a result of a DBS disclosure