Stakeholder Engagement Lead; Bus

Stakeholder Engagement Lead (Bus)

Location:

Hybrid

Salary:
Up to £46,000 per annum

Role Status:
Full-time, 37 hours per week

Closing Date: 27 Jul 2026

Location & Travel:
This is a hybrid role requiring attendance at the CIHT office in central London two days a week (one day must be Wednesday). However, fully home-based working may be considered (at a reduced salary) if a case can be made. Whether hybrid or home-based, the role requires regular travel across England and occasionally work outside normal office hours for events.

This is a fixed term post, currently ending on 31 March 2029. The contract may be renewed in March 2029.

Job Purpose

This role sits within the Bus Centre of Excellence (BCoE) team, which is part of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) and is funded by the Department of Transport. The purpose of the role is to act as a stakeholder manager and named contact for Local Transport Authorities (LTAs), understanding their bus delivery challenges and connecting them with BCoE resources, networks and support.

The role will focus on supporting authorities with bus service improvement, including franchising and Enhanced Partnership (EP) initiatives, and enabling peer learning opportunities across different local authority contexts.

• Stakeholders include: BCoE Members, Local Transport Authorities, Mayoral Combined Authorities, Sub‑national Transport Bodies, BCoE Advisory Group, BCoE Forums/Networks, advocacy groups and commercial entities such as bus operators and suppliers to the bus industry.
• CIHT marketing and communication colleagues
• CIHT members, external participants in events, external suppliers and venues

Act as the named contact for LTAs and their elected members for bus-related queries they have for either BCoE or the DfT.

Liaise with local authorities and their elected members to assess their challenges in the local context.

Build trusted relationships with bus sector stakeholders, understanding their operational challenges and connecting them with appropriate BCoE support.

Support authorities undergoing change due to devolution by acting as a focal point for bus-related questions, organise relevant events and resources.

Support LTAs with bus service improvement, including franchising and Enhanced Partnership initiatives, identifying their specific challenges and coordinating BCoE resources to address them.

Work closely with authorities considering or implementing franchising, connecting them with BCoE's Franchising Network and relevant expertise and resources.

Support the development and improvement of Enhanced Partnerships through peer exchange and sharing of best practice.

Work closely with bus sector groups and local authority stakeholders.

Facilitate knowledge exchange and peer learning between LTAs, helping them share best practice and practical solutions for bus service improvement.

Collaborate with stakeholders across different local authority contexts and facilitate cross-learning where appropriate.

Organise regional workshops, in person or virtual, to assist LTAs with bus delivery challenges, facilitating peer learning and skills development.

Attend and represent BCoE at regional bus forums and relevant transport events, whether virtual or in person.

Carry out market research and identify professional course instructors or training providers to deliver courses on topics relevant to bus sector stakeholders, as identified through the skills survey and stakeholder discussions.

Help to organise and curate the annual Quality Bus Conference, developing the agenda in collaboration with conference organisers and other partners, ensuring it addresses the bus sector’s priorities.

Support the development and delivery of BCoE's Networks and Bus Forum, helping to connect LTAs with similar contexts and promote consistent approaches to EP improvement.

Support the development and delivery of BCoE's Franchising Network, ensuring authorities have access to expert guidance and can learn…