Regional Bus Traffic Manager

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA); Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

EV car benefit scheme

Healthcare plans

Discounted gym membership

Eye Care Scheme

Costco membership

Job summary

West Midlands Combined Authority is seeking a Regional Bus Traffic Manager to optimise highway operations for a reliable bus network in the West Midlands region, including streetworks permitting and regulatory compliance. The role involves collaboration with local authorities, bus operators and utilities to minimise disruption and improve passenger experience.

Based in Birmingham, the candidate will lead a small team, manage roadworks, and influence decisions affecting the highway network.

Qualifications

• Experience in Streetworks Regulations and practices.
• Street Manager knowledge.
• Clear communication and ability to build strong stakeholder relationships.
• Experience of influencing decisions.
• Experience interpreting programmes, spatial data and other datasets.
• Experience of managing people.
• A Level 5+ qualification in transport, network management or related field, or substantial equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate activity to improve bus network reliability and resilience with partners.
• Build relationships with local authorities and operators to mitigate disruption.
• Oversee planned and unplanned roadworks, permits, Street Manager processes and compliance.
• Assess impacts of highway schemes on bus operations and implement mitigations.
• Use performance data to identify issues and propose improvements for reliable journeys.
• Lead and support a small team and coordinate regional stakeholder meetings.

Skills

Streetworks Regulations

Stakeholder communication

Influencing decisions

Interpreting programmes & spatial data

People management

Relationship building with partners

Education

Level 5+ qualification in transport, network management or related

Tools

Street Manager

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, and mortgage 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 2,000 big‑name retailers, and more. You can now also obtain a Costco membership through the WMCA.
• Boundless unlocks unlimited entry to top-rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts.
• Eye Care Scheme, offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses.

For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.

Why join WMCA?

WMCA is laser‑focused on improving the West Midlands, bringing economic growth, jobs, homes, and better journeys to the region. We target local needs where it matters most, ensuring everyone has a job that pays well and has access to safe and affordable places they can call home.

We put people and place at the heart of everything we do, working hand in hand with our partners to direct funding where it’s needed most. What you do, really matters. Your expertise will help make a big difference, improving people’s lives, every day.

Our Values and Behaviours.

Fostering an environment where people feel valued, included, supported, and proud to contribute to our region is important to us at the WMCA. Our behaviours are more than statements; they guide how we work, make decisions, and treat one another – they set the standards we hold ourselves to and the experience we want others to have.

• Collaborative -We work as one organisation. Together we build trust, connection and shared purpose across teams, partners and residents to create the biggest impact for our region.
• Driven -We are focused on outcomes. We perform at our best to unlock productivity and delivery, achieving the greatest regional impact.
• Inclusive - We value difference. Creating an environment where people belong, and feel psychologically safe, so we can all thrive and shape a West Midlands built for everyone.
• Innovative -We are courageous. We embrace new ideas and challenge the status quo to continuously improve and shape the future of the West Midlands.

Creating an inclusive workplace.

WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.

We are also proud to be a Ban the Box employer, which means we do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage, and will only ask after an offer is made as part of our onboarding checks, which helps us remove barriers for people with past convictions and supporting fair opportunities for all.

We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional 'perfect candidate' mould.

We gladly consider part‑time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying.

Sponsorship / Right to work requirements

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, however, Skilled Worker visa sponsorship will only be considered for roles that meet our defined business‑critical criteria and relevant sponsorship requirements. This role does not meet that threshold and we are therefore unable to offer sponsorship. Applicants must have the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying.

Attached documents

Regional Bus Traffic Manager - JD.pdf