Principal Transport Planner

Henley Chase; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading transport planning firm in the UK is seeking a Senior or Principal Transport Planner to manage multiple projects. You will serve as the primary client contact, manage financial performance, and coordinate team inputs to deliver high-quality outcomes. The ideal candidate holds a minimum 2:1 degree in a relevant field and has 5-10 years of experience in transport planning. This role offers a competitive salary, profit-related bonus, and opportunities for professional development including flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Profit-related bonus scheme

Minimum 25 days annual leave

Pension contributions

Health scheme membership

Flexible benefits scheme

Qualifications

• 5-10 years' experience in development planning or related roles, preferably in the private sector.
• Experience with feasibility studies, access strategies, and Transport Assessments.
• Familiarity with the NPPF and the planning system.

Responsibilities

• Manage financial performance of projects including fee proposals and invoicing.
• Act as the primary client contact in meetings and negotiations.
• Coordinate inputs from teams to ensure timely delivery of projects.

Skills

Organisational skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Report writing skills

Commercial awareness

Project management

Education

Minimum 2:1 degree in Civil Engineering, Geography, or relevant subject

MSc in Transport Planning

Professional qualification (IEng, CEng, TPP)

Tools

CAD

ARCADY

PICADY

LINSIG

GIS

Excel

Job description

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior or Principal Transport Planner to take on a Project Manager role within a busy transport planning team. The role involves independently leading and delivering multiple transport and multi‑disciplinary projects, managing clients, and coordinating technical inputs to ensure high‑quality project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary client contact and represent the team in project meetings, public consultations, and negotiations with highway authorities.
• Manage financial performance of assigned projects, including fee proposals, change control, and invoicing.
• Coordinate inputs from other teams to ensure projects are delivered on time and to standard.
• Lead the development of technical solutions and maintain high‑quality transport planning outputs.
• Mentor and train junior staff, with potential line management responsibilities.
• Provide technical support to senior management.
• Work independently on typical projects from day one, with support on complex or large‑scale projects.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum 2:1 degree in Civil Engineering, Geography, or a relevant subject.
• MSc in Transport Planning is advantageous but not essential.
• Professional qualification (IEng, CEng, TPP) or demonstrable progress towards one.
• 5-10 years' experience in development planning or related transport planning roles, ideally in the private sector.
• Experience with core transport planning services, including feasibility studies, access strategies, Transport Assessments, Travel Planning, S106 negotiations, and preliminary highway design.
• Familiarity with the NPPF and the planning system; appeal process experience advantageous.
• Knowledge of highway design guidance and methodologies (MfS, DMRB, etc.).
• Strong organisational, analytical, problem‑solving, and report writing skills.
• Proficiency in CAD checking (experience in producing CAD advantageous), ARCADY, PICADY, LINSIG, GIS, Excel, or similar software.
• Commercial awareness and ability to independently drive projects forward.
• Experience contributing to business development activities is a plus.

Benefits and Package

• Competitive salary based on experience and grade.
• Profit‑related bonus scheme.
• Minimum 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Pension contributions and life cover.
• Health scheme membership and enhanced parental leave.
• Flexible benefits scheme for wellness, professional development, or personal interests.
• Support for professional qualifications (IEng, CEng, TPP).
• Annual subscriptions to relevant professional institutions.

Work Environment

• Collaborative team environment with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and remote options.
• Opportunities for career progression, mentoring, and professional development.
• Focus on inclusion, well‑being, and work‑life balance.