Transport Delivery Lead

Luton Borough Council; Luton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the UK is seeking a Transport Delivery Lead to oversee strategic transport initiatives aimed at increasing public transport usage. The successful candidate will manage relationships with transport operators, lead working groups, and contribute to the enhancement of passenger experiences. An MSc in Transport Planning or equivalent experience is required, along with proven project management and stakeholder management skills.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in delivering transport projects in multi-stakeholder environments.
• Experience preparing funding-aligned business cases.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent relationship-building and influencing abilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage key external relationships with transport operators.
• Lead working groups within the Airport Transport Forum.
• Develop and submit outcome-driven business cases.
• Champion continuous improvement in transport experiences.

Skills

Transport Planning Qualification and/or Experience

Project and Programme Management

Problem Solving

Stakeholder Management

Business Case Development

Customer-Centric Approach

Data Management

Leadership and Accountability

Education

MSc in Transport Planning

Job description

About The Job

The Transport Delivery Lead will work closely with the Senior Surface Access Manager to deliver a diverse programme of strategic transport initiatives aimed at increasing public transport usage to and from the airport. The role involves managing high-profile relationships, driving complex delivery programmes and unlocking funding and operational partnerships across both public and private sectors.

You will take a lead role in shaping LLA’s multi-modal transport offer, enhancing the passenger and staff experience, supporting decarbonisation goals and ensuring public transport keeps pace with the airport’s growth.

Working dynamically within the Surface Access team, and with departments from across the airport, you will also contribute to the development of our early career professionals with potential line management responsibility as the team continues to develop in response to LLA’s changing transport needs.

Key Responsibilities And Accountabilities

• Manage key external relationships with transport operators (Rail, DART, Bus, Coach) and delivery partners to define outcomes and deliver initiatives on time and within budget.
• Lead working groups and workstreams within the Airport Transport Forum (ATF), including Rail, Highways, Coach and Bus, and build actionable consensus around shared priorities.
• Sponsor projects through internal governance processes, ensuring robust business cases, alignment with strategic goals and clear value for money.
• Collaborate with consultants and internal teams to shape and submit outcome-driven business cases, drawing on data, insight and emerging trends.
• Own and deliver key workstreams within the Sustainable Investment Fund (SIF), reporting on progress, risks and benefits realisation.
• Champion continuous improvement in the end-to-end transport experience, including infrastructure, service delivery, ticketing and information; both on- and off-airport.
• Deputise for the Senior Surface Access Manager in internal and external forums.
• Manage relationships with local and regional authorities, such as Luton, Central Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, including navigating political landscapes and unlocking funding or regulatory support.
• Identify and act on strategic risks and opportunities, using horizon scanning and sound judgement to stay ahead of potential blockers or enablers.
• Work cross-functionally with teams including Marketing, Legal, Procurement, Sustainability and Projects to ensure holistic programme delivery within a Transport context.
• Contribute to future thinking around transport technology, decarbonisation, behavioural change and customer experience.
  
  

About You

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Transport Planning Qualification and/or Experience
  
  

A relevant academic qualification such as an MSc in Transport Planning or professional accreditation such as TPP. Alternatively, significant demonstrable

experience of the strategic planning and delivering transport projects in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

• Project and Programme Management
  
  

Proven experience delivering transport-related projects from concept through to implementation, including planning, stakeholder coordination, risk management and performance monitoring. Able to manage multiple workstreams under pressure while maintaining strategic focus.

• Problem Solving, Strategic Risk Awareness and Decision Making
  
  

Strong analytical skills with a forward-thinking approach to spotting challenges and opportunities early. Skilled in navigating ambiguity, balancing trade-offs and making clear, evidence-based decisions that protect delivery and unlock progress

• Stakeholder Management, Communication and Influence
  
  

Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across diverse stakeholder groups. Confident operating at senior levels in both the public and private sectors, with strong political, transport industry, and commercial awareness.

• Business Case Development and Strategic Planning
  
  

Experience preparing business cases aligned to funding objectives and wider policy goals. Able to distil complex transport, commercial and technical considerations into persuasive strategic narratives.

• Customer-Centric and Inclusive Approach
  
  

Awareness of how transport interventions affect different user groups. Committed to improving accessibility, inclusivity and the end-to-end travel experience for passengers and staff alike. Some understanding of the challenges and constraints of working in a live operational setting, particularly within a regulated, safety-critical or 24/7 environment such as an airport or transport hub would be beneficial.

• Data, Budget Management and Future Insight
  
  

Comfortable working with data to track performance, monitor impact and inform decisions, including financial. Able to translate insight into actionable recommendations and measurable benefits. An interest and or experience in emerging technologies, digital tools, Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), or innovative service delivery models that enhance public transport efficiency and user experience is also highly desirable.

• Leadership and Accountability
  
  

Takes ownership of projects and outcomes, with the ability to lead through influence and drive change across organisational boundaries. A natural collaborator with resilience and adaptability.

Application process

• Please do not apply on this site *
  
  

Job Description

If you wish to apply for this role, please send your CV that summarises your knowledge, skills, and experience within the context of the Transport Delivery Lead job description to [e-mail], using the reference TDL3007 in the subject line. In the body of the email, please make sure to include the following:

• Current and expected salary
• Notice period / availability to start
• Right to work in the UK / sponsorship requirements
• Whether you are happy to travel to Luton three days a week