Head of Local Transport Funding Data

Government Recruitment Service; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension 28.97%

25 days annual leave

Flexible working

Job summary

Government Recruitment Service is seeking a skilled data analyst to lead data delivery and analysis for the Local Transport Funding Data team in Birmingham. You will work with R to collect, clean, analyse and visualise data, and collaborate with cloud-based tools such as Google Cloud Platform and BigQuery.

You will build robust data pipelines, provide insights for local transport funding decisions, and mentor junior staff while operating in a code-led environment with GitHub for version control

Qualifications

• Advanced quantitative analytical skills with ability to manage complex datasets.
• Experience using R for data cleaning, analysis and visualization.
• Familiarity with cloud-based data tools and version control via GitHub.

Responsibilities

• Lead data delivery and analysis for Local Transport Funding Data team.
• Develop and maintain data pipelines and analytical reports for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to inform transport funding decisions.
• Mentor junior analysts and promote best practices in coding and reproducible research.

Skills

Data analysis

R programming

GitHub

Cloud platforms

Tools

Google Cloud Platform

BigQuery

QGIS

Job description

Are you a skilled data analyst who wants to help improve the transport system used by millions of people every day?

If so,we’dlove to hear from you! We have an exciting opportunity available leading data delivery and analysis for the Local Transport Funding Data team.

This is an exciting time for Local Transport funding, as DfT has recently introduced the biggest change to Local Authority (LA) transport funding and governance in 25 years. DfT funds are distributed through LAs and go to a wide range of local transport programmes, ranging from highways maintenance, such as potholes, to larger schemes such as light rail and transport hubs. In addition, the recent policy focus on English devolution makes this data even more critical for decision-making.

You will join the Local and Regional Transport Analysis directorate, part of the Department for Transport’s vibrant and innovative Transport Statistics community. Our multidisciplinary team of Statisticians, Social Researchers and Economists works collaboratively to produce high-quality, trusted analysis that informs government policy and supports public understanding of transport issues.

This is a hands‑on analytical role with a strong focus on coding, data management, and reproducible analysis. You will use R to collect, clean, analyse and visualise data, and work with large and complex databases using cloud‑based tools such as Google Cloud Platform and BigQuery. You will recommend and undertake a range of analytical approaches for understanding a brand new evolving set of data. We work in a code‑led environment, using GitHub for version control, collaboration and quality assurance, and we are continually improving how we develop, review and share our code.

We place a strong emphasis on learning and development, particularly in coding and modern analytical methods. We are committed to creating an inclusive team culture where everyone is encouraged to learn, share ideas and build a fulfilling career as a government analyst.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensionshere
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays aprivilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work‑life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about whatit'slike working atDepartment for Transport Central - Department for Transport Careers

Over the next few years DfT will invest over £15 billion in local transport initiatives, and fund hundreds of projects in Local Authorities (LAs) across England. It is therefore important that DfT has up‑to‑date and accurate information about how funding has been allocated across LAs and transport modes, and can track the costs, outputs, and delivery of individual schemes and programmes as they progress.

You will need to show flexibility as the team’s size and remit will change to accommodate developing government priorities.

You will become an expert on all aspects of funding and performance data from Local Authorities. You will be instrumental in collecting this data, disseminating it for colleagues at all levels, and analysing it for trends and insight. At working level your data will be used by colleagues to monitor delivery of Local Authority projects such as cycle lanes, bus services, and potholes. At senior level you will provide summaries for members of the Department for Transport’s senior executive team on spend and delivery.

You will have advanced quantitative analytical skills and experience of creating, managing, and working with large datasets, including linking data from different sources. You will be a confident communicator with the ability to build effective collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

This role will suit anyone who enjoys innovative analysis as well as coding and databases. This area is relatively new and fast developing, so creativity is key as you shape this new area of work.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing 2-3 staff to deliver all the team’s work.
• Working alongside the Local Transport Portfolio Office to provide regular reporting and analysis to senior executives of the Department for Transport.
• Working with project managers, digital colleagues and funding teams on delivery of an innovative and high-impact data portal, which will streamline data collection across the department.
• Developing and maintaining our core database which contains quarterly data on all Local Authority spend, delivery, and risks, and disseminating this for policy and delivery colleagues. You will also link this data to supplementary information on finance, population, performance (outcomes), and project delivery.
• Providing high‑quality data analysis, providing a centralized view that spans across different transport modes, geographical areas and time periods. This may include geographical analysis with tools such as QGIS or R, and/or advanced statistical or machine learning techniques for finding new patterns and trends.
• Managing Official Statistics publications on taxis and light rail.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

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Head of Local Transport Funding Data

Company: Government Recruitment Service Salary: £64,816 to £69,515 a year Hours: Full‑time Location: Birmingham Job type: Permanent Posting date: 9 Nov 2026 Closing date: 23 Nov 2026