Principal Transport/Development Planner

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work‑life balance

Inclusivity & Belonging

Health & Wellbeing

Flexibility – hybrid working

Development opportunities

Disability Confident recruiter

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a Principal Development Planner to join our Manchester Development team. You will lead technical transport planning work across commercial, retail and residential development, developing transport strategies and contributing to masterplans and Expert Witness inputs.

You will mentor Early Career Professionals, manage small to mid-size projects, support business development, and collaborate with highways, environmental and other specialists to deliver

Qualifications

• Experience leading technical work on Transport Assessments, Travel Plans, access strategy, parking strategies, sustainable and active travel provisions.
• Experience in preparing traffic flow information for Transport Assessments and Environmental Statements.
• Experience with junction capacity modelling tools such as Junctions 10 and Linsig.
• Ability to manage budgets, resources and invoicing on small to medium projects.
• Experience supervising junction design (priority, roundabout, signals).
• Excellent communication skills with clients and project teams.
• Ability to mentor Early Career Professionals in technical areas.
• Proficient in Excel and Word.
• Building a professional network with co-professionals and clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical work on development planning transport inputs across commercial, retail and residential projects.
• Manage project delivery including budgeting, resource planning and invoicing for small to mid-size projects.
• Mentor Early Career Professionals to support project delivery.
• Lead/assist in business development and delivery of multi-disciplinary development proposals.
• Collaborate with highways, environmental and other specialists to deliver transport planning solutions.

Skills

Transport planning

Project management

Leadership

Mentoring

Business development

Communication

Excel

Word

Education

Postgraduate transport planning

Chartered status (desirable)

Tools

Junctions 10

Linsig

Job description

Principal Development Planner – Manchester

At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

We are seeking to recruit a Principal Development Planner with a strong development‑related transport planning background to join our Development team in Manchester.

Role and Responsibilities

Your role will include working on a range of projects from commercial, retail, and residential through to developing transport strategies, inputs into masterplans and support with Expert Witness evidence. You will support private sector clients with taking development proposals through the planning process; and support public sector clients with developing transport and parking strategies, and scheme development. The team works closely with our Highways, Services, Structures and Environmental teams, as part of our teams remit to lead larger multi‑disciplinary development proposals.

You will be involved in the day‑to‑day technical transport planning input into Development planning projects, alongside performing project management and leadership roles on projects where appropriate. This will include mentoring our Early Career Professionals to assist you in the delivery of projects.

You will support/lead our transport planning input into small to medium scale projects, and work with senior colleagues to assist in the delivery, management and leadership of complex multi‑disciplinary projects. You will further develop your existing commercial skills, and grow your professional network to assist with Business Development.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience of leading the technical work on some or all of the following: Transport Assessments, Travel Plans, access strategy work, parking strategies, sustainable transport and active travel provision, and working with guidance such as NPPF, DfT Transport Assessment guidelines, Manual for Streets;
• Experience in preparing traffic flow information for use in a Transport Assessment and/or Environmental Statement;
• Experience in the set up and running of junction capacity modelling software such as Junctions 10 and Linsig, and the understanding of inputs, outputs and scenario testing;
• Capability to undertake project management (e.g. budget planning, resource planning, invoicing) on small to medium scale projects;
• Capability of carrying out and/or supervising conceptual junction design (priority, roundabout, signals);
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to support senior colleagues in discussions with Clients, members of our project teams, co‑professionals and other project stakeholders;
• Ability to share knowledge and mentor others, in particular Early Career Professional colleagues, on your areas of technical expertise;
• Expertise in day to day software packages such as Excel and Word;
• Be starting to develop a professional network of co‑professionals and clients;
• You will be an experienced Transport Planner with technical knowledge and hands on post graduate experience;
• Ideally you will have or be pursuing chartered status in a transport related discipline.

Benefits

Work‑life balance – Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging – We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing – We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits programme, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time – To enhance work‑life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part‑time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development – We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

We are a Disability Confident leader, and we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. Please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.