Principal Transport Planner

RGP Consulting Engineers is seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Transport Planning Consultant to join our expanding Transport Planning team based at our Head Office in Godalming, Surrey. This is a hybrid position, providing an excellent opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of development planning projects across the residential, commercial, education, healthcare, industrial and mixed-use sectors throughout the UK.

The successful candidate will play a leading technical role in the delivery of high-quality transport planning advice, managing projects from initial feasibility through to planning determination and post-consent support. Working closely with clients, architects, planning consultants and local authorities, you will contribute to the successful delivery of planning applications whilst mentoring junior members of the team and maintaining the high technical standards expected of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a varied portfolio of development planning projects across the UK.
• Prepare, review and oversee the production of Transport Assessments, Transport Statements, Travel Plans, Technical Notes, Access Appraisals and other supporting transport documentation.
• Undertake and review junction capacity assessments using Junctions 11 (including PICADY and ARCADY) and Lin Sig software.
• Provide sound technical advice to clients throughout the planning process, from initial feasibility studies through to planning determination.
• Liaise confidently with Local Planning Authorities, Highway Authorities, statutory consultees and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Mentor and support Graduate and Consultant-level Transport Planners, providing technical guidance and quality assurance.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of current national and local transport planning policy, guidance and industry best practice.
• Contribute to the preparation of fee proposals and project scopes where appropriate.
• A minimum of five years' experience within UK development planning transport consultancy.
• A degree from a UK university in Transport Planning, Civil Engineering, Geography or another relevant discipline.
• Strong technical knowledge of UK transport planning policy, standards and guidance, including the preparation of Transport Assessments, Transport Statements and Travel Plans.
• Demonstrable experience using Junctions 11 and Lin Sig junction modelling software.
• Excellent report writing, analytical and communication skills.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple commissions simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the confidence to engage professionally with clients, local authorities and project teams.
• A full UK driving licence.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including ArcGIS or QGIS, would be highly advantageous.
• Experience with additional transport modelling or analysis software, including TRICS and TEMPro.
• Experience in mentoring junior colleagues and undertaking technical review of reports.
• Experience contributing to business development activities, client relationship management and work-winning would be welcomed, although this is not essential for the role.

Professional Development

Applicants should be actively working towards professional chartership with a recognised institution. Preference is given to candidates pursuing the CIHT Chartered Transport Planning Professional (CTPP) route. Ideally, applicants will have successfully completed the Portfolio of Technical Knowledge stage and be progressing towards their Professional Review.

What We Offer

• Hybrid working based from our Head Office in Godalming, Surrey.
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Company pension scheme.
• Professional membership subscriptions.
• Structured support towards professional chartership.
• Ongoing technical training and career development.
• Opportunity to work on a wide variety of prestigious development planning projects throughout the UK.
• Friendly, collaborative and growing consultancy environment with genuine opportunities for career progression.