Principal Transport Planner – EK

The Principal Transport Planner (Active Travel) will lead the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham’s active travel programme, developing and delivering projects that make the borough’s streets safer, healthier, more accessible and sustainable.

The postholder will provide strategic and professional leadership across walking, wheeling, cycling, micromobility, cycle parking, behaviour change and sustainable travel initiatives. The role will be responsible for translating transport strategy into high-quality, deliverable programmes and schemes that deliver measurable benefits for residents, businesses and visitors.

A key responsibility will be leading the Council’s approach to shared and dockless micromobility, including operator management, performance monitoring and the delivery of supporting infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, management and delivery of the Council’s active travel programme.
• Develop and implement strategies, policies and programmes covering walking, wheeling, cycling, micromobility and sustainable travel.
• Lead the Council’s approach to shared and dockless micromobility, including operator relationships, performance management and supporting infrastructure.
• Identify opportunities to secure external funding and develop robust business cases for active travel investment.
• Manage complex transport projects and programmes from concept through to implementation and evaluation.
• Manage project budgets, procurement processes, consultants and contractors to ensure value for money and successful delivery.
• Apply relevant active travel policies, design principles, guidance and standards to ensure schemes are safe, inclusive, accessible and deliverable.
• Use transport data, evidence and insight to identify priorities, monitor performance and evaluate the impact of interventions.
• Develop appropriate performance measures and use evidence to drive continuous improvement.
• Work closely with Transport for London, neighbouring boroughs, consultants, transport operators, community organisations and other stakeholders.
• Provide expert transport advice to elected Members, senior officers and internal Council services.
• Prepare and present reports, briefings and recommendations for senior management and Members.
• Represent the Council at public meetings, stakeholder forums, regional groups and external events.
• Lead consultation and engagement with residents, businesses and community stakeholders.
• Ensure that active travel programmes reflect the needs of diverse communities and support the Council’s equality, accessibility, climate and sustainability objectives.
• Lead, manage and develop a high-performing Active Travel team.
• Provide professional guidance, mentoring and support to team members.
• Set clear objectives, manage performance and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
• Ensure projects and programmes are delivered in accordance with Council policies, governance requirements, budgets and timescales.
• Identify and manage programme risks, dependencies and issues, taking appropriate corrective action where required.
• Promote innovation and best practice in active travel and sustainable transport.

Essential Experience and Skills

The successful candidate will have:

• Substantial professional experience in transport planning, with significant experience of active travel programmes and infrastructure delivery.
• Experience of developing and implementing walking, cycling and/or sustainable transport strategies and programmes.
• Proven experience of delivering complex transport projects from strategy and concept through to implementation.
• Strong knowledge of active travel policy, transport planning principles and relevant design standards and guidance.
• Experience of managing budgets, contracts, consultants and external delivery partners.
• Experience of securing or managing external funding and developing business cases.
• Experience of using data and evidence to identify transport priorities, monitor performance and evaluate outcomes.
• Strong programme and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Experience of partnership working with organisations such as Transport for London, local authorities, consultants, operators and community stakeholders.
• Experience of leading, managing and developing professional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to provide clear, evidence-based advice to senior officers and elected Members.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Ability to translate strategic objectives into practical, deliverable schemes.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving, innovation and continuous improvement.

Key Competencies

Strategic Leadership

Ability to develop and communicate a clear vision for active travel and translate strategic objectives into effective programmes and projects.

Programme & Project Management

Ability to manage complex programmes, budgets, contracts, risks and delivery partners while maintaining focus on outcomes, quality and value for money.

Technical Expertise

Strong professional knowledge of active travel, transport planning, walking, cycling, micromobility and sustainable transport principles.

Stakeholder Management

Ability to build effective relationships and influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including Members, residents, businesses, TfL, operators and neighbouring authorities.

Leadership & Team Development

Ability to lead and develop a high-performing professional team, providing direction, support, mentoring and performance management.

Communication

Ability to communicate complex transport issues clearly and persuasively to technical and non-technical audiences.

Data & Evidence

Ability to use data, research and performance information to inform decisions, establish priorities and demonstrate the impact of transport interventions.

Council Values

The postholder will be expected to demonstrate and promote the Council’s values:

• Fair: Treat people with compassion, dignity and fairness and ensure opportunities and outcomes are inclusive.
• Caring: Take pride in the borough, maintain high standards and pursue continuous improvement.
• Collaborative: Work effectively with residents, businesses, communities, partners and colleagues to achieve better outcomes.
• Driven: Strive for excellence, deliver results and keep residents, customers and businesses at the heart of decision-making.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The postholder will contribute to an inclusive approach to transport planning and ensure that active travel programmes consider accessibility, equality and the needs of the borough’s diverse communities.

The Council is committed to removing barriers, promoting equitable access to employment and ensuring that its services and programmes support the needs of all sections of the community.

Safeguarding

The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. All employees are expected to share this commitment and contribute to safe and inclusive services.

Working Arrangements

The role is based at the Council’s Clockwork Building in Hammersmith, with the postholder expected to undertake site visits, stakeholder meetings, public engagement and external meetings as required.