Transport Planning Director - Transport Business Case/ Scheme Appraisal

SLR Consulting; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Excellent healthcare

Travel and life insurance

25 days annual leave

Flexible working hours

Job summary

SLR Consulting is seeking an experienced leader for their Transport Economics team in Manchester. The ideal candidate will have proven expertise in delivering WebTAG-compliant business cases and appraisals while providing strategic advice to clients and stakeholders. This role offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, including a pension, healthcare, and 25 days annual leave. Additionally, SLR prioritizes an inclusive environment and provides hybrid working options to support work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering WebTAG-compliant business cases and appraisals.
• Strong technical credibility in transport economics and development-led schemes.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to develop working relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a transport economics team from the ground up.
• Deliver business cases and economic appraisals in line with DfT WebTAG guidance.
• Provide strategic advice to clients and stakeholders.

Skills

Transport economics

Business case development

Financial management

Interpersonal skills

Leadership skills

Client relationship management

Job description

SLR is seeking a high‑calibre individual to establish and lead our Transport Economics team. SLR is an environmental consultancy with a team specialising in transport planning. We have a vision to deliver a valuable and lasting contribution to society through the way people connect, move and interact. We are proud to be making a positive contribution, driving decarbonisation and changing mind‑sets about travel behaviour. Our dedicated research and innovation arm ensures we are at the forefront of mobility solutions for sustainable development.

Led by a highly experienced and dedicated management team, our team of social scientists, transport planners and climate specialists have a wealth of experience assisting in developing science‑based and net zero carbon reduction targets.

About The Role

• Lead and grow a transport economics team from the ground up
• Deliver business cases and economic appraisals in line with DfT WebTAG guidance
• Provide strategic advice to clients, local authorities and stakeholders
• Contribute to work winning, client relationships and thought leadership

About You

• Proven experience delivering WebTAG‑compliant business cases and appraisals
• Strong technical credibility in transport economics and development‑led schemes
• Commercially astute, with a track record of winning and leading work
• Ready to take a leadership role and shape a growing consultancy offer
• Excellent interpersonal skills to develop working relationships with colleagues, clients, stakeholders and co‑consultants
• Knowledge of financial management at the project level and wider level
• Experience in delivering team budgets within the Transport Planning sector
• Excellent client contacts especially within the private sector
• Track record of winning project work
• Extensive experience of working within the transport economics industry
• A high level of knowledge of the planning, policy and legal frameworks to secure client development objectives
• First class communication, leadership and management skills

We offer a senior leadership role, flexibility, and the chance to build something impactful within a respected transport planning practice. Along with competitive salaries, staff enjoy a comprehensive benefits package with a company pension, excellent healthcare, travel and life insurance, a structured career framework with regular reviews, and outstanding opportunities for progression. Staff also enjoy 25 days annual leave, additional flexible bank holidays, and flexible, agile and hybrid working which enables tailored hours around core hours and family‑friendly policies.

Culture & Inclusion

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer, and our expectations go beyond purely complying with legislation. Through our Regional C&I Committees, Global Council and Employee Networks, we foster an inclusive environment where all people regardless of their background can thrive. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background, including those from groups that are currently under‑represented at SLR, such as people identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous peoples, ethnic minority groups, women, and people with visible or invisible disabilities, including those who are neurodivergent.