Principal Transport Planner

We are looking for an experienced Principal Transport Planner to join our growing Transport Planning team in Northampton.

This is an exciting opportunity for an established transport planning professional with a strong background in development planning and the private sector who is ready to take a leading role in project delivery, client relationships and the continued growth of our team.

You will work across a diverse portfolio of development-led projects, providing strategic and technical transport planning advice to developers, housebuilders, landowners and property-sector clients. From early-stage land promotion and masterplanning through to planning applications and delivery, you’ll help shape practical transport solutions that enable successful, sustainable development.

Our office is based in the charming village of Blisworth, just off Junction 15 of the M1, where we’ve been part of the local community since 2003. Set in a beautiful rural location close to the Grand Union Canal, our office offers a peaceful and welcoming place to work, combining the appeal of the countryside with convenient transport links.

You’ll also benefit from being part of Stantec’s wider multidisciplinary network, collaborating with specialists across transport, highways, infrastructure, planning and the wider built environment to share expertise and develop integrated solutions for our clients.

This role offers the opportunity to combine technical expertise, project leadership and commercial development, while helping shape the future of our Transport Planning offering in Northampton and across the wider region.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Principal Transport Planner, you will take a leading role in delivering high-quality transport planning services across a range of development planning projects. You’ll provide technical guidance, manage project delivery and build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.

Your role will include:

• Leading the delivery of transport planning projects across residential, mixed-use, commercial, employment and strategic development schemes.

• Providing strategic transport planning advice to developers, housebuilders, landowners and other private-sector clients.

• Advising clients throughout the development process, from early-stage feasibility and land promotion through to masterplanning and planning applications.

• Preparing, reviewing and overseeing Transport Assessments, Transport Statements, Travel Plans and transport strategies.

• Assessing the transport implications of development proposals and developing appropriate mitigation measures.

• Supporting sustainable transport, accessibility and movement strategies that contribute to well-connected places.

• Leading engagement with local highway authorities, planning officers and other stakeholders.

• Supporting clients through planning applications, negotiations and technical discussions.

• Managing project teams, programmes, budgets and technical deliverables to ensure work is completed to a high standard.

• Acting as a key point of contact for clients, strengthening existing relationships and developing new ones.

• Working collaboratively with colleagues across planning, highways, engineering, infrastructure and environment.

• Contributing to bids, tenders, fee proposals and client presentations.

• Identifying opportunities to develop existing accounts and secure new work.

• Sharing your market knowledge and helping identify opportunities across the development and transport planning sectors.

• Providing technical guidance, mentoring and support to junior colleagues.

• Contributing to the continued development and growth of our Transport Planning team.

YOUR IMPACT

You will play a key role in helping clients navigate complex transport and highways challenges, supporting the delivery of successful, sustainable and well-connected developments.

Through your technical expertise and understanding of the development planning process, you’ll help clients progress schemes through planning while delivering practical solutions that respond to transport requirements and local needs.

You’ll also make an important contribution to the growth of our business by:

• Building trusted relationships with developers, housebuilders, landowners and other private-sector clients.

• Strengthening our reputation and presence within the regional development market.

• Identifying new opportunities and helping secure future work.

• Contributing to successful bids, tenders and fee proposals.

• Supporting the growth of key client accounts and developing long-term partnerships.

• Sharing market intelligence and helping shape our approach to emerging opportunities.

• Providing technical leadership and supporting the development of colleagues.

• Working across disciplines to bring together expertise and deliver better outcomes for clients and communities.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution through technical leadership, client development and project delivery, while helping shape the continued success of our Northampton Transport Planning team.

ABOUT YOU

You will be an experienced transport planning professional with a strong track record in development planning and private-sector consultancy, alongside the confidence to lead projects, advise clients and support colleagues.

We are particularly interested in individuals who have:

• Significant experience within transport planning consultancy, ideally at Principal level or equivalent.

• Strong experience delivering development planning projects across residential, mixed-use, commercial or strategic land schemes.

• Experience working with developers, housebuilders, landowners, property consultants and other private-sector clients.

• A thorough understanding of the planning and development process and the role of transport in enabling development.

• Experience preparing and reviewing Transport Assessments, Transport Statements, Travel Plans and transport strategies.

• Strong technical knowledge of transport planning, development impacts and highways mitigation.

• Experience engaging with local highway authorities, planning officers and other stakeholders.

• Proven project management skills, including managing budgets, programmes and technical deliverables.

• The confidence to lead client meetings, present technical advice and build lasting relationships.

• Commercial awareness and an interest in business development, including bids, tenders and fee proposals.

• The ability to identify opportunities and contribute to the growth of client accounts.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Experience mentoring colleagues and providing technical guidance to junior team members.

• A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

• A proactive mindset and the ambition to contribute to the continued growth of our Transport Planning business.

A relevant degree and/or professional qualification such as CIHT would be desirable.

We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.

We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named 'Best Place to Work' and 'International Consulting Firm of the Year' at the NCE Awards 2024.

We do what is right: Industry-leading training and development, paid professional subscriptions and support for your continued professional growth.

We are better together: Join a collaborative multidisciplinary team where you'll mentor others, share your expertise and work on exciting projects with colleagues across the business.

Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK – and we want you to be part of it.

Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard, discounted gym membership and lots more.

Hybrid / Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.