Our client is seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Transport Planner to join their Leeds office and play a key role in the leadership and growth of our transport planning team. This is a senior position offering the opportunity to take responsibility for project delivery, client management, and team development, while contributing to the strategic direction of the business.
The successful candidate will lead the delivery of complex transport planning projects, provide expert advice to clients and stakeholders, and mentor junior team members. The role suits an individual with strong technical capability, commercial awareness, and a collaborative leadership style.
Responsibilities
The Principal Transport Planner role will include:
• Leading the delivery of Transport Assessments, Transport Statements, Travel Plans, and supporting technical notes for a wide range of development proposals
• Acting as a project director or project manager on major commissions, ensuring technical quality, programme delivery, and commercial performance
• Providing technical oversight of junction modelling, transport analysis, and appraisal work using industry‑standard tools such as TRICS, TEMPro, Junctions 10, and LinSig
• Managing client relationships and acting as a trusted advisor to developers, local authorities, and project teams
• Supporting business development activities, including preparing fee proposals, contributing to bids, and identifying new opportunities
• Mentoring and supervising junior staff, providing technical guidance and supporting their professional development
• Engaging with local planning authorities, highway authorities, and other stakeholders through meetings, negotiations, and written submissions
• Contributing to the strategic development of the transport planning team and wider consultancy offer
Qualifications & Experience
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate:
• A degree in Transport Planning, Civil Engineering, Geography, Urban Planning, or a related discipline
• Significant experience working in a UK transport planning consultancy environment
• Strong technical knowledge of development‑led transport planning and the UK planning process
• Proven experience in managing projects, clients, and budgets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present and defend technical work
• A collaborative leadership approach and experience mentoring or managing team members
Chartered or working towards chartered status with a relevant professional body (such as CIHT or RTPI) would be advantageous.
Whats on offer
• A senior role with genuine influence over project delivery and team growth
• Opportunities to work on a diverse range of development and infrastructure projects
• A supportive and professional working environment within their Leeds office
• Career progression aligned with performance, contribution, and leadership