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Strategic
Transport Innovation & Programme Manager
Directorate: Place (Transport)
Reports to: Head of Transport Strategy
Direct reports: Up to 5
Salary: £54,143-£59,748
Budget responsibility: £10 million
Shape the
future of transport across the East Midlands
This is an
exciting time to join the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) as we
take forward the devolution of transport and develop our first regional Local
Transport Plan.
We are looking
for an experienced and ambitious Strategic Transport Innovation &
Programme Manager to provide strategic leadership across some of the most
important and fast-moving areas of transport policy and investment.
This is a
regional leadership role, giving you the opportunity to shape EMCCA's thinking
on transport innovation, future mobility, decarbonisation, zero-emission
vehicles, electric vehicle infrastructure and active travel.
You will look
beyond the immediate challenges facing the transport system and help us
understand what transport could look like over the next 15–20 years. You'll
lead horizon-scanning and strategic foresight, working with government,
industry, technology providers, local authorities and other partners to
understand emerging technologies, market developments, regulatory change and
future mobility trends.
This includes
emerging areas such as autonomous and connected vehicles, micromobility,
drones and digital and data-enabled transport solutions.
At the same
time, you'll be responsible for turning strategic thinking into delivery,
overseeing significant investment programmes and ensuring innovation leads to
tangible benefits for people, businesses and communities across the East
Midlands.
A
significant role in a changing transport landscape
The devolution
of transport responsibilities creates a unique opportunity to influence how the
region plans, invests in and delivers its future transport network.
As EMCCA
develops its first regional Local Transport Plan, you will help shape policy
and investment priorities, ensuring they are informed by evidence, market
intelligence and an understanding of how transport technology and user needs
are changing.
You will also
lead EMCCA's work on transport decarbonisation and electric vehicle
infrastructure, overseeing the procurement and rollout of three ambitious,
multi-million-pound electric vehicle infrastructure programmes across the East
Midlands.
This will
require strong commercial judgement, market knowledge, negotiation skills and
the ability to lead complex programmes from strategy and business case
development through procurement and commissioning to delivery and evaluation.
About the
role
As Strategic
Transport Innovation & Programme Manager, you will:
- Lead the development of long-term
strategies, policies and implementation programmes across transport
innovation, future mobility, decarbonisation, zero-emission vehicles,
electric vehicle infrastructure and active travel.
- Provide strategic leadership on
emerging transport technologies and their potential implications for the
East Midlands.
- Lead horizon-scanning, strategic
foresight and market intelligence activity, considering developments over
a 15–20 year planning horizon.
- Translate emerging market
developments, technologies and regulatory changes into clear policy,
investment and delivery recommendations.
- Shape EMCCA's transport strategies,
policies and investment priorities as part of the development of the
regional Local Transport Plan.
- Lead the development, funding and
delivery of significant transport programmes and investment portfolios.
- Oversee the procurement and rollout
of major electric vehicle infrastructure programmes across the region.
- Develop funding and investment
approaches, including arrangements for allocating funding to local
authorities and delivery partners.
- Lead business case development,
commissioning, procurement, contract management, programme assurance and
benefits realisation.
- Act as a recognised source of
expertise and advice to senior leaders, elected members, local
authorities, government departments and partners.
- Build strong relationships with
technology providers, industry leaders, government and transport bodies to
identify opportunities and influence future investment.
- Lead research, analytical and
technical work to strengthen EMCCA's evidence base and support strategic
decision-making.
- Lead and develop a
multidisciplinary team, while overseeing specialist consultants,
contractors and delivery partners.
- Prepare high-quality reports,
business cases and strategic recommendations for senior and political
decision-makers.
- Represent EMCCA at regional,
national and industry forums, helping to raise the Authority's profile and
influence.
- Manage significant capital and
revenue budgets of at least £10 million, ensuring strong financial
governance, value for money and delivery against agreed outcomes.
About you
We are looking
for a strategic thinker who can combine big-picture thinking with strong
programme and commercial delivery skills.
You will have
extensive knowledge of transport innovation, future mobility, zero-emission
vehicles and emerging transport technologies, together with a strong
understanding of how market developments can influence transport policy and
investment.
You'll bring
significant experience of developing transport strategies, policies or major
programmes within a complex public sector, political or partnership
environment.
In particular,
you'll have:
- Significant experience of commercial
negotiation, procurement, commissioning and contract management,
working with suppliers, consultants and delivery partners to achieve
strategic outcomes.
- A proven ability to translate
market intelligence and emerging developments into strategic policy and
investment decisions.
- Experience of delivering complex
programmes, including business case development, commissioning, delivery
oversight and evaluation.
- Strong experience of influencing,
negotiating and building relationships with senior stakeholders, including
government departments, local authorities, elected members, industry
representatives and technology providers.
- Experience of managing significant
capital and revenue budgets and ensuring effective financial governance
and value for money.
- Strong analytical and strategic
thinking skills, with the ability to interpret complex technical,
commercial and policy information and turn it into clear recommendations.
- An understanding of current and
emerging legislative, regulatory and governance requirements.
- The ability to work confidently
across organisational boundaries and bring diverse partners together
around shared objectives.
Experience of horizon
scanning, strategic foresight and assessing the implications of emerging
technologies for transport policy and service delivery would be desirable.
Experience of
leading multidisciplinary teams and specialist consultants would also be
advantageous.
What you'll
bring
You'll be
educated to degree level or have equivalent experience in a relevant discipline
and will have evidence of substantial continuing professional development
relevant to transport, programme delivery, infrastructure, innovation or policy
development.
A relevant
professional qualification, such as MSP, PRINCE2, APM, CIHT, TPS or ICE,
would be desirable, as would membership of a relevant professional body.
More
importantly, you'll bring the strategic credibility, commercial awareness and
leadership capability to operate confidently with senior stakeholders and help
shape the future direction of transport across the region.
Why join
EMCCA?
There has
rarely been a more interesting time to work in transport across the East
Midlands.
With transport
devolution underway and EMCCA developing its first regional Local Transport
Plan, you'll have the opportunity to influence policy and investment decisions
at a formative stage.
You'll be
working at the intersection of transport policy, technology, infrastructure,
investment and innovation, with the opportunity to look beyond today's
transport challenges and help shape the system the region will need in the
future.
You'll also
have responsibility for delivering major programmes on the ground, including
ambitious investment in electric vehicle infrastructure and transport
decarbonisation.
This is a role
for someone who wants to think big, work with leaders in the field and turn
strategic ambition into transformational delivery.
Our values
Our values
shape how we work and the leadership we expect from our people:
Lifting our
region
We put wider
regional outcomes ahead of personal or organisational gain and act as
passionate advocates for our place, policies and programmes.
Working
together
We build strong
relationships, provide constructive challenge and bring diverse partners
together to achieve shared outcomes.
Making an
impact
We set out a
clear rationale for our proposals, turn ideas into action and focus on
delivering meaningful, long-term improvements.
Being human
We value
different perspectives, connect authentically with people and recognise the
importance of putting people at the centre of what we do.
Join us
If you have the
experience, ambition and strategic insight to help shape the future of
transport across the East Midlands, this is an opportunity to make a
significant impact.
You'll help
EMCCA look ahead, shape regional policy, secure investment and deliver
programmes that will influence how people and businesses move around the region
for years to come.
Closing
Date: 11/10/2026
Proposed
Interview Date:
30/10/2026