Head of Transport Development - Req24609

Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees.

As the Head of Transport Development you will be at the forefront of the planning of significant transport infrastructure across Leeds and the wider City Region, including the delivery of a new Mass Transit system for West Yorkshire. The Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy together with wider West Yorkshire documents such as the Mass Transit Vision set out clear aspirations around the required step change in transport provision over the next decade and beyond. This step change in transport provision requires careful planning and development to ensure that schemes complement and enhance current provision and achieve LCC’s wider aspirations aligned to inclusive growth, health and wellbeing and net zero. 

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

 About you

As Head of Transport Development, you will bring to the role:

• Experience in the planning of Transport interventions, including the wider interface with land use planning and economic regeneration;
• Experience of taking schemes through the stages of business case development with a specific focus on the strategic and outline cases;
• Ability to co-ordinate and lead multi-disciplinary teams;
• Ability to work as part of a complex delivery team with other LCC service areas, scheme promoters, consultants and wider stakeholders;
• Experience of operating at a senior level in a highly political environment, with an outcome led focus around delivery;

About the role 

As Head of Transport Development, you will play a key role in working with WYCA to develop a comprehensive portfolio of interventions that will radically change transport provision in Leeds over the next decade and beyond. 

One of the most significant of these is the proposed West Yorkshire Mass Transit system and as Head of Transport Development you will be responsible for ensuring that the system delivers optimum outcomes for the City in line with our transport and wider aspirations. This role will necessitate working alongside WYCA and other Districts, together with the wider supply chain, to develop the business case for the initial phase and subsequent extensions of the network. 

As Head of Transport Development  you will be responsible for identifying and co-ordinating the technical disciplines required from within Highways and Transportation to support the development of Transport interventions including Mass Transit. This could include acting in WYCA’s role as client, assisting in the delivery of key technical discipline areas, provide check and challenge to consultant outputs and provide the necessary response as part of LCC’s role as consultee.

The role is integral to our existing Transport Planning team, the emerging Mass Transit team within the wider Highways and Transportation service capability. It will also be a key role as part of the wider City Development capability aligned to regeneration and economic development together with the Mass Transit programme.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete an expression of interest of no more than 1000 words.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application. 

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Kate Morris, Head of Transport Planning. Call 0113 3368367 or email kate.morris@leeds.gov.uk

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period. 

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK  - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

 

Job Description

Job Purpose 

To assist the Chief Officer in planning, organising, managing and developing the provision of high quality effective and consistent Highway & Transportation services. Provide strategic leadership and management that add value and support the delivery of the Council’s strategic objectives as set out in the Best Council Plan.  The postholder will report to the Head of Transport Planning to optimise the opportunity afforded by the introduction of the Mass Transit Programme and wider transport investment.

Responsibilities 

• Be the Council’s primary lead regarding Mass Transit business case development and interface with wider regeneration opportunities. 
• Ensure that the wider portfolio of Transport investment including the new transit system delivers outcomes that align with the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy.   
• Ensure that introduction of any new facilities by the Transport Authority are effectively integrated into the city’s wider transport offer. 
• Work with all stakeholders involved in the development of Mass Transit.
• Build confidence with senior officers, elected members and partners, ensuring that they are appropriately briefed and involved in relation to any transport planning issues and that information is available and accessible to senior internal stakeholders.
• Contribute, as a member of the service Leadership Team.
• Develop and drive a culture which puts customers first and where everyone can realise their potential and ‘feels they count’.
• Build strong and dynamic relationships and networks and build trust with individuals and partner agencies to deliver better outcomes for Leeds City Council.
• Manage, promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement and human resource areas, focussing on equality of outcome.
• Assist the Chief Officer in planning, organising, managing and developing the provision of high quality, effective and consistent services, providing strategic leadership and management that adds value and supports the delivery of the Council’s strategic objectives. 
• Deliver programmes of strategic significance to the Council to deliver services in line with Council priorities. 
• Responsible for the development and delivery of the service plan and continuous improvement initiatives through leading and contributing to cross Council projects, collaborative working with partners and supporting Directorate management teams. 
• In line with the Budget Management Accountability Framework to be responsible and accountable for all financial resources within the service area ensuring value for money and working within financial regulations
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate to the grade.

Qualifications 

Appropriate professional qualification or equivalent substantial knowledge gained through significant managerial experience across the service area.

Working Context - Post holders will work flexibly both at home and at various locations across the City and region. All colleagues should work in line with our hybrid working principles and spend regular time in the workplace to support service delivery, meeting the needs of the team and the requirements of their individual role. The hours are worked mainly Monday to Friday. However, the post holder will be expected to work outside normal working hours, including attendance at evening/weekend meetings or events if required to meet the needs of the service. 

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Able to contribute, as a member of the service Leadership Team.
• Substantial senior leadership and management experience relevant to the area of service delivery
• Able to demonstrate examples of managing services, implementing change and achieving quality transformational outcomes.
• Experience of working with senior management to shape and influence the delivery of the council’s strategic priorities at a City, Directorate and Service level.
• Substantial experience in building credible and effective collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders including Directors, elected members, Trade Unions, colleagues and partner organisations.
• Evidence of significant experience and commitment in relation to the engagement of relevant citizens, customers and stakeholders in decision making processes. 
• Demonstrate knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, policies, inspections and performance information and relevant strategic functions e.g. health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection. 
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of economic strategy and policy, understanding of local government political systems and experience of working on politically sensitive issues. 
• Significant experience of developing productive working relationships with Council Members, trade unions and Corporate Leadership Team which commands respect trust and confidence.

Behavioural & other Characteristics required

• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Be aware of promote and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection.
• Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the behaviours, values and standards of Leeds City Council. 
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.

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