Overview
West Northamptonshire Council is looking for an experienced and passionate Sustainable Travel Manager to play a key role in developing and delivering transport solutions that improve the lives of our residents.
Our Highways and Transport Team provides essential statutory services used by communities across the county every day. We are responsible for maintaining a safe and efficient highway network, planning for the future of transport infrastructure, and supporting sustainable travel options, while balancing legislative requirements, budget considerations, and environmental priorities.
What will you be doing?
In this influential role, you will manage a specialist team responsible for developing and delivering policies, projects and services that support sustainable travel across the area. You will provide strategic leadership, technical expertise and staff development, ensuring the Council meets its statutory responsibilities while driving innovation and service improvement.
As the Council’s lead officer for sustainable travel and public transport, you will oversee the implementation of the Enhanced Partnership Plan with local bus operators and support successful funding bids. You will also provide expert guidance on planning applications and secure investment through Section 106 agreements to enhance transport infrastructure and services.
The post holder will be responsible for managing a range of budgets, including Council funding, external grants and developer contributions, ensuring that resources are used effectively to deliver high-quality public transport services, active travel initiatives and travel behaviour change programmes that benefit local communities.
You will oversee the administration of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS), ensuring compliance with all regulations, the timely issue of concessionary passes and reimbursement of operators, as well as the publication of the Council’s annual statutory scheme.
Working strategically with internal and external partners, you will lead the development of bus services, transport infrastructure and sustainable travel initiatives. This includes shaping and delivering programmes such as Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs), identifying opportunities for investment and securing funding for projects that encourage healthier, greener and more sustainable travel choices.
About you
To be successful in this role, you will bring extensive knowledge of sustainable travel practice and the bus industry, with a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing public transport services. You will have expert knowledge of the legislative and regulatory framework governing the sector, with the ability to apply this knowledge to policy development, service improvement and partnership working.
You will also have a good understanding of the planning system and relevant planning legislation, enabling you to assess transport implications of development proposals, contribute to planning consultations and secure sustainable transport improvements through the planning process. Strong analytical, stakeholder management and strategic planning skills will enable you to work effectively with bus operators, developers, elected members and partner organisations to deliver positive outcomes for residents and communities.
If you need additional support or reasonable adjustments during the application process, including needing the job description in another format or language, please email careers@westnorthants.gov.uk for support.
Please note we reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so we recommend applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
