Principal Transport Planner

Principal Transport Planner Lead impactful projects. Drive strategy. Join a growing team in Reading. Are you a seasoned Principal Transport Planner looking to take the next step in your career with a well-established and rapidly growing consultancy? This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic team in Reading, where you will lead a variety of high-profile transport planning projects, mentor junior staff, and play a key role in shaping the future of the business. As a Principal Transport Planner, you'll take on a leadership role within a collaborative and supportive environment, with the chance to contribute your technical expertise, commercial insights, and project management skills. This position offers significant career progression opportunities and the chance to lead innovative transport planning solutions for a diverse range of clients. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and managing Transport Assessments, Travel Plans, Site Access Designs, and Section 278/38 works
• Overseeing complex transport planning projects, including planning appeals, local plan submissions, and transport strategies
• Acting as Project Director across key schemes, ensuring successful project delivery on time and within budget
• Preparing and reviewing fee proposals, budgets, and project timelines
• Providing technical leadership and guidance across modelling, CAD, and reporting
• Ensuring high-quality project performance and delivering on profit targets
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships, managing expectations, and delivering exceptional client service
• Mentoring and developing junior and mid-level team members
• Supporting business development activities, including networking and contributing to marketing efforts
• Contributing to strategic business planning and growth strategies

As a Principal Transport Planner, you will have the opportunity to work on a wide range of complex, high-profile projects, while also contributing to the strategic direction of the business and shaping its growth. Your leadership and expertise will directly influence the success of projects and the continued expansion of the consultancy. To be successful in this role, you should have:

• A relevant degree or equivalent qualification in Transport Planning or a related field
• Professional membership (e.g., MCIHT or similar)
• Extensive experience in transport planning, with a strong track record of managing and delivering complex projects
• In-depth knowledge of transport policies, guidance, and regulations
• Expertise in transport modelling, CAD, and reporting
• Strong leadership skills with experience in mentoring and developing junior team members
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including client presentations
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• A commercial mindset with experience in managing project budgets, timelines, and risks
• Experience in business development, including client management and fee proposal preparation

Additional qualifications such as chartership, project management experience, or a relevant Masters would be advantageous. What this role offers:

• A senior leadership position within a growing consultancy
• The opportunity to lead complex, high-profile transport planning projects
• Exposure to strategic business planning and development
• A chance to mentor and develop a high-performing team
• Clear career progression towards Director level
• A competitive salary and benefits package
• Flexible working arrangements to suit your needs

This role is based in Reading, with flexible working options available in line with business needs. If you are an experienced Principal Transport Planner looking to take on a leadership role and work within a growing, supportive team, this is an excellent opportunity to progress your career.

FOOTNOTE:

If you feel that you are right for this role technically, but the salary, location or seniority does not suit you specifically then please still feel free to send us your CV. We constantly recruit for roles very similar to this one at all levels UK Wide. We are always keen to chat with you discreetly about your employment situation. Even if you are happy in your current role for now, we always welcome calls from Highways, Infrastructure & Transportation professionals keen to make their introductions for future months or years. Carrington West's Highways, Transport & Infrastructure division is the fastest growing in the country, our specialist team has a combined over 100+ years' experience in this market. Please call Eve Armstrong at Carrington West on (phone number removed) for more information. By applying for this position, you are agreeing for Carrington West to hold and process your personal data in accordance with our Data Protection Policy. Your data will be shared with third party clients specifically relevant to any roles you have applied for. If at any stage, you wish to withdraw your consent please contact us