West Midlands Combined Authority

Do you have a passion for sustainable transport and a desire to make a positive impact on the economy and environment of the West Midlands? If so, then this may be the perfect role for you.

We have a brand-new role for a Transport Appraisal Lead to come on board and take responsibility for the delivery of scheme business case and economical appraisal requirements, for Transport for West Midlands (TfWM). TfWM have just received a remarkable £1 Billion to spend on transport projects, over the next 5 years. You will focus on major projects being delivered through this City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) Programme. You will support various modes of travel including the cross-city bus routes, new rail services and stations and Metro routes.

As an authority, we need to evidence that this funding is being utilised in the most efficient and appropriate way possible to provide benefits to our residents and businesses and to meet the goals of our emerging Local Transport Plan around improving accessibility, reducing traffic and electrifying the transport system. You will use your transport planning and appraisal expertise to develop robust and compelling strategic and economic cases for projects, demonstrating how we have selected the most appropriate interventions that would deliver value for money for funders and stakeholders. Acting as a key point of contact with funders, principally the Department for Transport (DfT), on the CRSTS and other programmes, you will work closely with teams across TfWM, in our local authorities, and with other partners including consultants to offer robust technical support and evidence for business case development and appraisal.

What you will be doing
• Deliver, directly or through consultancy support, the Strategic and Economic cases for TfWM schemes, in line with DfT and Single Assurance Framework (SAF) requirements, including those within the £1Bn CRSTS programme
• Report progress on the delivery of business cases and their benefits and risks to senior decision makers
• Provide direction and guidance on business case and appraisal requirements for TfWM projects and policies
• Represent TfWM/West Midlands Combined Authority at monthly stakeholder briefings
• Research best practice in appraisal and economic impacts and methods
• Provide accurate and up to date monthly progress reporting on the CRSTS programme
• Challenge and review TfWM policies, schemes and programmes
• Manage provision of consultancy services
• Lead and manage the junior transport planning team members, helping them to ensure their development needs are met
• Write detailed technical reports

Transport for West Midlands is leading the UK in Innovative Future Transport and is committed to making the West Midlands a healthy and prosperous place to live. Our Policy, Strategy and Innovation directorate, incorporating transport planning, research and data services, shapes future transport in the West Midlands. The team is working on several multi-million pound projects. We were the UK’s first Future Transport Zone (FTZ) , we are working with West Midlands 5G to make transport more efficient, reliable and customer friendly and developing a range of new analytic and modelling tools to help better understand travel behaviour.

The transport planning team is a small but growing team of transport professionals with a range of expertise, who work collaboratively alongside other directorates responsible for project and service delivery. We also work closely with other teams internal to the Directorate, such as our Data Insight Service and Human Intelligence teams on the data analysis and market research we use to analyse current and future trends. This is an excellent opportunity to make a positive difference to peoples’ lifestyles through the way they travel. If you’re searching for a unique experience where you can make a difference, dynamically collaborating within a creative, diverse and lively environment, using the latest thinking in transport technology, this is the job for you.

About you
To be successful in this role you will need to be able to develop successful relationships internally and with partner organisations. (in person or in the hybrid environment), including our local authorities, scheme sponsors, and funders (principally DfT). You will also need to build strong relationships with your team, to manage them effectively and help lead their professional development. Experience in managing consultants will also be needed; writing briefs, scoring tenders, negotiating fees, budgeting, and ensuring delivery on time and quality.

It is essential that you have experience of undertaking investment appraisals of transport schemes using the 5 case model, and a thorough knowledge of DfT Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG) and HM Treasury Green Book methods.. You will also need experience of working with complex models and data sets. Experience of scheme development in the transport industry is key.

To apply and find our more about these roles please click on the link below: https://bit.ly/3SQuyT7