Regional Bus Traffic Manager

West Midlands Combined Authority; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Shared Cost AVC scheme

28 days annual leave + buy extra

EV car benefit scheme

Healthcare plans

Gym membership discounts

Will writing and mortgage advice

Bike purchase discounts

Volunteer leave

Interest-free tech financing

Discounted shopping

Job summary

The West Midlands Combined Authority is recruiting a Regional Bus Traffic Manager to help make the region's bus network more reliable and resilient. You will lead highway operations, oversee streetworks permitting and work with local authorities, bus operators and utilities to minimise disruption and protect bus journey times.

Based in Birmingham, the role involves hands-on collaboration, data‑driven decisions, and line management of a small team.

Qualifications

• Experience in Streetworks Regulations and practices.
• Street Manager knowledge.
• Strong communication and relationships with stakeholders.
• Experience in influencing decisions.
• Experience interpreting programmes, spatial data and datasets.
• Experience managing people.
• A Level 5 or higher qualification in transport, network management, or substantial equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate activity to improve bus network reliability and resilience, working with local authority partners and bus operators to manage highway operations, minimise disruption and prepare the network for bus franchising.
• Build strong relationships with local authorities, utility companies and other stakeholders, influencing highway decisions, coordinating planned works and agreeing practical solutions that protect bus journeys.
• Oversee the management of planned and unplanned roadworks, including permit submissions, Street Manager processes, compliance with relevant regulations and escalation of risks or non‑compliance.
• Work with partners to identify the impact of highway schemes, roadworks and Traffic Regulation Orders on bus operations, ensuring appropriate mitigation measures are agreed and implemented.
• Use network performance data, operational intelligence and reporting tools to identify recurring issues, monitor disruption and recommend improvements that support reliable bus journey times.
• Lead and support a small team, coordinate regional stakeholder meetings and oversee the organisation's streetworks activity, including permit costs, variations and compliance reporting.

Skills

Streetworks Regulations

Street Manager knowledge

Stakeholder communication

Influencing decisions

Data interpretation

People management

Transport qualification level 5+

Education

Level 5+ transport qualification

Equivalent experience

Job description

The West Midlands Combined Authority is working to create a more reliable, connected and accessible transport network that helps people get to work, education and opportunities across the region. As we prepare for the introduction of a franchised bus network, ensuring our roads can support reliable bus journeys is more important than ever. Delivering the Mayor's transport ambitions and the West Midlands Growth Plan depends not only on how bus services are operated, but on how effectively we manage the highways they travel on, minimise disruption and work together to keep the region moving.

As Regional Bus Traffic Manager, you will play a key role in making our road network ready for the future of bus travel. Working within our Regional Roads Hub, you will collaborate closely with local authorities, bus operators and utility companies to improve bus reliability, manage the impact of roadworks and influence wider network management decisions affecting the highway network. This is a hands‑on, collaborative role focused on highway operations rather than planning bus services. You will also oversee streetworks permitting and compliance, ensuring disruption is managed effectively and regulations are followed. Your work will help protect bus journey times, improve the passenger experience and support a more reliable transport network for the people of the West Midlands.

This is a 12-month fixed-term contract.

What you'll be doing.

• Lead and coordinate activity to improve bus network reliability and resilience, working with local authority partners and bus operators to manage highway operations, minimise disruption and prepare the network for bus franchising.
• Build strong relationships with local authorities, utility companies and other stakeholders, influencing highway decisions, coordinating planned works and agreeing practical solutions that protect bus journeys.
• Oversee the management of planned and unplanned roadworks, including permit submissions, Street Manager processes, compliance with relevant regulations and escalation of risks or non‑compliance.
• Work with partners to identify the impact of highway schemes, roadworks and Traffic Regulation Orders on bus operations, ensuring appropriate mitigation measures are agreed and implemented.
• Use network performance data, operational intelligence and reporting tools to identify recurring issues, monitor disruption and recommend improvements that support reliable bus journey times.
• Lead and support a small team, coordinate regional stakeholder meetings and oversee the organisation's streetworks activity, including permit costs, variations and compliance reporting.

What's essential.

• Experience in Streetworks Regulations and practices.
• Street Manager knowledge.
• An ability to communicate clearly and build effective relationships with stakeholders and partners.
• Experience of influencing decisions.
• Experience of interpreting programmes, spatial data and other datasets.
• Experience of managing people.
• A Level 5 or higher qualification in transport, network management, or a related discipline, or substantial equivalent experience in a relevant field.

For a full list of duties and essential criteria, please refer to the job description attached.

Location.

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.

The role will also involve working closely with local authority partners and spending time out on the regional highway network to understand operational challenges and support collaborative solutions.

There may be a requirement to work outside normal office hours on occasion, including working within stakeholder and partner offices within the WMCA constituent area on a regular basis.

Salary and benefits.

We advertise salary ranges, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year‑on‑year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
• Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme where you can build an additional pot of money alongside your pension with contributions exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs).
• 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more) + Statutory days.
• EV car benefit scheme
• Healthcare plans.
• Discounted gym membership, will writing,andmortgage advice.
• An option to buy a bicycle, including e‑bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate.
• 3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer.
• Interest‑free financing through SmartTech to buy the latest technology.
• Discounted shopping with over 2