Principal Engagement Manager, National Cycle Network

Sustrans Hub; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity for active travel seeking a Principal Network Engagement Manager to lead community engagement projects. The role involves strategic planning and management, focusing on equity, diversity, and inclusion while influencing decision-makers. Candidates should have significant experience in community engagement and programme management, with a strong commitment to improving community relations. The role offers flexible working arrangements and numerous benefits, including generous leave and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

28 days leave plus bank holidays

Flexible working practices

Group Personal Pension scheme

Cycle to work schemes

Death in service benefit

Qualifications

• Significant experience of working with community organisations and volunteers.
• Knowledge of best practice in behaviour change and community engagement.
• Extensive project and programme management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the engagement department.
• Deliver programmes and projects aligned with strategic aims.
• Improve charity’s framework for engaging with community groups.

Skills

Community engagement

Stakeholder collaboration

Programme management

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Risk management

Job description

Published: 5th January 2026

This leadership role will require expertise in programme delivery, stakeholder collaboration and Business Development, embedded with a strong commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

• Contract: Permanent
• Location: UK wide with a focus on England
• Full time 37.5 hours per week – we are happy to talk flexible working
• £42,323 per annum (pro rata for part time)

As the Principal Network Engagement Manager, you will lead the strategic planning, management and deliver of a diverse range of community-led engagement projects and programmes across the NCN.

This leadership role will require expertise in programme delivery, stakeholder collaboration and Business Development, embedded with a string commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

It will require you to represent the charity at senior level, influencing key decision makers, ensuring that all programmes align with the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust’s strategic goals.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Improving the Charity’s framework for engaging with community groups
• Lead on the delivery of programmes and projects designed to deliver the Charity’s strategic aims
• Identify opportunities to improve how we engage the wider community in the development of the National Cycle Network

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate the engagement department
• Work closely with the Volunteering team to ensure opportunities for volunteers are maximised
• Lead on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

About you

We’re looking for someone who has experience and understanding in the areas listed below. You don’t need to meet every requirement — if you feel you’d be a good fit, we encourage you to apply.

• Significant experience of working with community organisations and volunteers.
• Knowledge and experience of best practice in behaviour change and community engagement including national standards in community engagement and/or COM-B.
• A visible expert (internally and externally) in the principles and standard practices in active travel infrastructure, community engagement and behaviour change projects in a collaborative setting.
• Extensive experience of project and programme management including risk management, budgetary management, contract management and resource planning.

Additional Information

• Application deadline: 23:59, 18 January 2026.
• Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams during the week of 29 January 2026

Why work for us?

At Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, you'll be part of a movement to make it easier for people to walk and cycle.

We're all here to change things. You'll be part of an incredible community of talented, passionate, creative problem solvers all working together to change things for the better.

We act locally and think big - we have a vision of a society where the way we travel creates healthier places and happier lives for everyone.

You'll be questioning the status quo and daring to imagine a different world. You'll work on exciting, impactful projects that will stretch and empower you and you'll be rewarded by seeing the difference you make to people, communities and the planet.

We believe including everyone is central to who we are and what we want to achieve. We welcome difference and pride ourselves on creating a culture where you can be yourself and where your wellness is supported.

You'll be guaranteed to make friends for life and work with a team that is incredibly flexible, supportive, ethical and fun.

What we offer

• 28 days leave per annum plus bank holidays for full-time working.
• Ability to buy an extra week of annual leave (pro rata for part-time staff).
• 24/7 free, impartial and confidential support service.
• We are members of the Green Commute Initiative and Cycle Scheme who both offer cycle to work schemes.
• Group Personal Pension scheme with a 6% or 7% of basic salary contribution being matched by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust.
• Bike, computer and season ticket loans.
• London Weighting Allowance of £4,530 for all those living within a London Borough (32 local authority districts plus the City of London).
• Death in service benefit – 3 times annual salary.

Family-friendly

• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
• Flexible Working practices (full-time hours are 37.5 per week, Monday - Friday).