Director of Transport Planning (Development Planning)

Aldwych Consulting Ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy firm in Manchester seeks a Director of Transport Planning to establish and lead a new Transport Planning team. You'll be responsible for a diverse portfolio of development projects and collaborate closely with other UK offices. The ideal candidate has strong experience in consultancy, project management, and client relations, particularly within the North West planning system. This role offers competitive pay, a £7,500 travel allowance, and a bonus scheme.

Benefits

£7,500 travel allowance

Bonus scheme up to 25%

7% employer pension contribution

Private healthcare

Life assurance

Hybrid working model

Qualifications

• Strong consultancy background in development-related transport planning.
• Proven experience leading projects and managing key client relationships.
• In-depth knowledge of the UK planning system, ideally with North West experience.
• Demonstrable experience building, mentoring, or managing transport planning teams.
• Confidence in winning and growing work.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a new Manchester Transport Planning team.
• Technical oversight and delivery of Transport Assessments, Statements, and Travel Plans.
• Strategic leadership of major, multi-sector development projects.
• Collaborate with teams in other offices on national commissions.
• Mentor, manage, and develop transport planning professionals.
• Support business development and client relationships.

Skills

Transport planning

Project management

Client relationship management

Team leadership

Commercial awareness

Job description

Director of Transport Planning

Location: Manchester City Centre (Hybrid – 3 days office / 2 days home)

Type: Permanent | Full-Time

Sector: Transport Planning / Development Planning

Contact: Will Herman | #removed#

I'm partnering with a highly regarded, multi‑disciplinary consultancy that is seeking a Director of Transport Planning to establish and lead its Manchester Transport Planning capability. This is a senior leadership appointment driven by continued growth within the Development Planning division and forms a key part of the firm's regional and national expansion strategy.

Reporting into the national Transport Planning leadership, you'll play a pivotal role in setting up and growing a new Manchester‑based Transport Planning team, while delivering high‑profile development projects across the North West. You'll also collaborate closely with established Transport Planning teams in other UK offices, contributing to multi‑regional projects and sharing technical expertise and best practice.

The Role

You’ll lead a varied portfolio of development‑led transport planning projects across Manchester and the wider North West, including residential, commercial, education, retail, leisure, and renewable energy schemes. Alongside project delivery, you’ll be responsible for building the local team, shaping regional strategy, and strengthening relationships with clients, local authorities, and internal stakeholders.

Key responsibilities include:

• Establishing and leading a new Manchester Transport Planning team
• Technical oversight and delivery of Transport Assessments, Statements, and Travel Plans
• Strategic leadership of major, multi‑sector development projects
• Close collaboration with Transport Planning teams in other offices on national commissions
• Mentoring, managing, and developing transport planning professionals
• Supporting business development, work‑winning, and long‑term client relationships

About You

• Strong consultancy background in development‑related transport planning
• Proven experience leading projects and managing key client relationships
• In‑depth knowledge of the UK planning system, ideally with North West experience
• Demonstrable experience building, mentoring, or managing transport planning teams
• Commercially astute, with confidence in winning and growing work

Package & Benefits

• Competitive salary plus £7,500 travel allowance
• Bonus scheme of up to 25%, based on individual, team, and company performance
• 7% employer pension contribution
• Private healthcare and life assurance
• Hybrid working: 3 days office / 2 days home
• Modern, centrally located Manchester office

This is an excellent opportunity to create and lead a new Transport Planning presence in Manchester, backed by a well‑established national consultancy offering real autonomy, strong internal collaboration, and ambitious growth plans.

Interested? Send your CV or contact me for a confidential discussion: Will Herman | #removed#

Aldwych Consulting values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.