Planning, Development and Connectivity Team Leader

Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension 28.97%

25 days annual leave (plus increasing)

Flexible working options

Staff discount portal

Funding for professional development

Job summary

Department for Transport is seeking a Planning, Development and Connectivity Team Leader to drive policy development and stakeholder engagement across Local Authorities. The role sits within a high-profile government team, shaping transport planning and connectivity across the country.

You will lead on policy contributions for Connectivity Tool rollout, engage with Local Planning Authorities on Local Plans, and influence legislation and guidance in line with departmental priorities.

Qualifications

• Experience developing and influencing policy within planning or transport sectors.
• Strong knowledge of spatial and/or transport planning systems.
• Professional experience in built environment settings; accreditation (RTPI/CIHT/TPS) desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead stakeholder engagement with Local Authorities and shape policy contributions for Connectivity Tool rollout.
• Influence planning legislation and guidance; contribute to future planning reform initiatives.
• Oversee engagement with Local Planning Authorities on Local Plans and assess actions to support growth and housing.

Job description

475100 Planning, Development and Connectivity Team Leader

Department for Transport

Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 27th August 2026

Location

Birmingham, Leeds, London (This role is suitable for hybrid working)

Salary

National Minimum Salary - £57,515 London Minimum Salary - £62,034

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Are you passionate about shaping places, communities, and transport networks that support sustainable growth? Join a high-performing team at the heart of government, where you'll influence planning policy, drive collaboration across organisations, and help deliver better outcomes for communities, the environment, and the economy. Working on high-profile projects and strategic priorities, you'll play a key role in connecting transport and spatial planning, building strong partnerships, and supporting innovative solutions that enable growth across the country.

Top Responsibilities

• Lead on implementing a wide programme of stakeholder engagement and capability building with Local Authorities on the application of the Connectivity Tool alongside development of relevant national policy to embed usage of the tool at a local level.
• Joint lead on the policy contribution to shape the Connectivity Tool rollout, translating user feedback and insights into tangible delivery options, and shaping the future development roadmap.
• Influencing and negotiating emerging planning legislation, policy and guidance across Government, shape future planning reform work in line with departmental and government priorities and drawing on the place intelligence.
• Assisting in the development of policy to deliver freight and logistics infrastructure, unlock land value capture, future of flight innovation, international planning policy, local transport plan guidance, the Manual for Streets, Transport Assessment Guidance (and capability programme), update to Circular 01/2022.
• Oversee DfT engagement with Local Planning Authorities through the development of their Local Plans, advising on transport policies in relation to new development applications and assessing and supporting any actions that may be required to bring forward economic growth and housing development

For more information on the role and responsibilities please see the full job advert on CS Jobs using the link provided.

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

About You

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Experience developing and influencing policy, with an understanding of legislative processes and how policy translates into effective decision-making.
• Strong knowledge of spatial and/or transport planning systems, with a proven ability to develop and implement sustainable transport solutions within planning frameworks.
• Professional experience within the built environment sector, gained in private, local, or central government settings, with a commitment to professional development and accreditation (RTPI, CIHT or TPS desirable).

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Thursday 27th August 2026