Principal Transportation and Infrastructure Planner

Principal Transportation and Infrastructure Planner

Permanent, Full Time

£56,537 to £66,514 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

This is a hybrid-working role, with a requirement to work at a functional work location 1-2 days per week on average, depending on business need.

The Principal Transportation and Infrastructure Planner engages with strategic partners, to devise and co-ordinate land use transportation strategies to support the delivery of strategic scale development and new settlements, by working across the service functions and with a wide range of internal/external stakeholders. The role will act as the single point of contact for highway and transportation matters in a locality and explore funding opportunities, prepare outline business cases and devise delivery programmes to provide a forward planning service. The role assembles technical advice, policies, initiatives, schemes and measures to integrate land use and transportation provision, and commission subsequent design and delivery work, often being responsible for a complete programme of activities.

As the transport infrastructure lead the role drives change using business knowledge and expertise to influence and work with others, leading on the provision of sustainable transport infrastructure in responding and delivering to the growth agenda. The role delivers using matrix management principles to ensure excellent service across the department and contribution to change management.

Accountabilities

Responsible for maximising alternative opportunities to private car use and road freight movements to enable sustainable development of a transportation infrastructure.

Responsible for leading and defining the Council’s role within an identified geographic area to respond to countywide and national issues by providing effective input into Essex land use and transport planning processes/frameworks.

Responsible for developing and advising on strategic objectives, initiatives and plans for transport.

Responsible for leading on the production of implementation plans of land use and transport proposals and working collaboratively with stakeholders to co-ordinate infrastructure investment through the local transport plan and development management process to achieve consistent and progressive economic growth and development outcomes.

Working collaboratively to assess the current strategic transport networks and forecast future performance under varied planning scenarios to commission work programmes to address future strategic network deficits and seek appropriate funding.

Responsible for leading and directing individual commissions/projects and working with partners to meet agreed standards, budget allocations and approved work programmes, including long term across the major schemes portfolio. . 

Working collaboratively to develop transportation policy, assess project feasibility and respond to government and other strategic consultations on transport and matters affecting transport.

Responsible for managing respective area Transportation Boards by producing and updating business plans, leading and managing funding bids through Major Scheme Business Cases as well as formally representing the Council;

Providing support to senior leaders to ensure that media and public relations implications of transportation issues are handled sensitively and proactively;

Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Degree level education in related numerate, social science or humanities subject or equivalent experience; a Post Graduate qualification in Transport (MSc or Diploma) or equivalent experience is desirable.

• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area.

• Significant post qualification experience in the field of land use and transport planning or civil engineering.

• Extensive knowledge of transport planning policy and practice including knowledge of the development plan system and planning legislation and the inter relationship between transportation and the development process;

• Demonstrable knowledge of managing the development and implementation of major schemes including statutory processes involved with these activities.

• Excellent written, verbal, listening and presentation skills to a variety of audiences including presenting information to elected Members at formal and informal level

• Good understanding of town and country planning processes, major development proposals and highway and transportation major project implementation.

• Demonstrable understanding and experience in using project management methodologies.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

To read more about us please visit: Climate, Environment and Customer Services - Working for Essex

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you. 

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR)) on our careers site

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email Sandra.middleton@essex.gov.uk

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