Jacobs
Associate Director - Transport Planning, Reading
Associate Director - Transport Planning, Reading at Jacobs, based in Reading, Berkshire. This is a permanent role.
- Pay
- Not given by the employer
- Hours and contract
- Permanent · On site
- Location
- Reading, Berkshire
- Closing date
- Sector
- Transport Planner
Reference 322da1ea36f4166e6efc759d1672a8c9362c316a
About the role
Associate Director - Transport Planning, Reading We are very excited to announce that we are looking for an Associate Director or Senior Associate Director to join our growing Transport Planning team in Reading which is part of our wider London and South-East business comprising over 180 transport planners.
This is an opportunity to play a leading role in some of the UK's most significant transport and infrastructure programmes while helping grow and strengthen our transport planning presence across the Thames Valley and South-East.
At Jacobs, our transport planners help shape decisions that influence how people move, connect and access opportunities. We work with organisations including Transport for London, National Highways, Combined Authorities, local authorities and large private sector developers to deliver solutions that have a lasting impact on communities and infrastructure.
This role combines technical excellence, project leadership, client engagement, business growth and team development. Alongside delivering major commissions, you'll help shape the future of our regional transport planning business, strengthen key client relationships and play a leading role in developing our people and expanding our presence in the market.
Whether you're influencing investment decisions, shaping transport strategies or supporting nationally significant infrastructure programmes, you'll have the opportunity to make a visible impact both within Jacobs and across the wider industry.
Why Join Jacobs?
Our teams are helping deliver and shape major programmes including:
Supporting Transport for London's next-generation forecasting tools through MoTiON and Project EDMOND.
Delivering strategic transport planning and impact assessment services supporting the London Mayor's Transport Strategy.
Supporting National Highways on major Strategic Road Network programmes across England.
Playing a key role in the Lower Thames Crossing, one of the UK's largest infrastructure projects.
Supporting the development of West Yorkshire Mass Transit, transforming how people travel across Leeds and Bradford.
Advising on major rail and mass transit programmes including the Elizabeth Line and TransPennine Route Upgrade.
Supporting Transport Scotland's long-term transport investment strategy through advanced accessibility and data analysis tools.
This breadth of work gives our people the opportunity to influence transport policy, infrastructure investment and mobility solutions at a national scale, while developing their careers through exposure to new technologies, complex challenges and diverse projects.
The role
As an Associate Director or Senior Associate Director, you'll bring strategic insight, technical expertise and strong leadership to a diverse portfolio of transport planning projects.
Project Delivery:
Oversee the successful delivery of complex transport planning commissions, including feasibility studies, transport assessments, option development, business cases and transport strategies. Provide technical leadership, ensure robust quality assurance and manage project risks to deliver work to agreed programme, budget and quality requirements.
Leadership:
Play a key role in establishing and growing Jacobs' transport planning presence in Reading and the surrounding region. Contribute to business strategy, enhance market visibility and help position Jacobs as a leading provider of transport planning and advisory services. Mentor and develop a high-performing team, creating an environment where people can thrive and progress their careers. Support recruitment, strengthen technical capability, and develop future leaders
Collaboration, Innovation and Client Engagement:
Work closely with specialists from across the wider Jacobs business to develop integrated solutions to complex transport and infrastructure challenges. Champion innovative approaches and best practice, bringing together expertise from multiple disciplines to deliver sustainable and forward-thinking outcomes for clients.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with clients across local and regional government, National Highways, Transport for London, Sub-national Transport Bodies and the private sector. Provide strategic advice to help clients navigate emerging mobility trends, changing travel behaviours and the transition to lower-carbon transport solutions, ensuring positive outcomes and long-term value.
Business Development:
Identify and secure new business opportunities, leveraging your commercial awareness and industry network to support the growth of the transport planning business. Lead and contribute to bids and proposals, develop key client relationships and collaborate with colleagues across Jacobs' UK and international operations to secure and deliver multidisciplinary projects.
For someone looking to take the next step in their leadership career, this role offers genuine scope to influence strategy, grow a high-performing team, expand Jacobs' presence in the region, and leave a lasting mark on the business. A degree, or equivalent qualification, in a relevant discipline such as Engineering, Mathematics, Geography, Economics, or a related subject.
A strong track record of successfully leading and delivering transport planning projects within a client-facing consultancy environment.
Experience of developing trusted client relationships and identifying opportunities that lead to business growth, repeat work, and new commissions.
Technical expertise in one or more areas including transport planning, transport modelling, transport economics and appraisal.
Experience working with major public sector clients and navigating complex stakeholder environments.
The ability to lead multidisciplinary teams while providing clear direction, mentoring and support to colleagues.
A sound understanding of project and client management, including programme delivery, resource planning, commercial performance, quality and risk management.
A proactive and adaptable approach, balancing project delivery, business development, team leadership and growth opportunities.
An interest in innovation and the future of transport, including emerging technologies, digital solutions and evolving mobility trends.
So if you are ready for a new challenge - please apply below!
What You'll Get
In return, you'll join a business where transport planning is central to some of the UK's most high-profile infrastructure and mobility programmes.
Alongside meaningful and varied work, we offer:
Up to 10% pension contribution
24 days annual leave plus the option to buy up to 10 additional days
Private medical insurance
Income protection
Flexible and hybrid working
Access to specialist expertise across the UK and globally
Clear opportunities for career growth and progression
If you're looking for a role where you can influence major projects, develop client relationships and help shape the future of transport across the UK, we'd love to hear from you.
This role is based in our Reading office and offers a hybrid working pattern, with three days per week in the office and two days working from home.
Reading Berkshire United Kingdom Reading Berkshire United Kingdom Planning and Consulting Cities & Places
Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.
With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we've gone beyond traditional ways of working
This is an opportunity to play a leading role in some of the UK's most significant transport and infrastructure programmes while helping grow and strengthen our transport planning presence across the Thames Valley and South-East.
At Jacobs, our transport planners help shape decisions that influence how people move, connect and access opportunities. We work with organisations including Transport for London, National Highways, Combined Authorities, local authorities and large private sector developers to deliver solutions that have a lasting impact on communities and infrastructure.
This role combines technical excellence, project leadership, client engagement, business growth and team development. Alongside delivering major commissions, you'll help shape the future of our regional transport planning business, strengthen key client relationships and play a leading role in developing our people and expanding our presence in the market.
Whether you're influencing investment decisions, shaping transport strategies or supporting nationally significant infrastructure programmes, you'll have the opportunity to make a visible impact both within Jacobs and across the wider industry.
Why Join Jacobs?
Our teams are helping deliver and shape major programmes including:
Supporting Transport for London's next-generation forecasting tools through MoTiON and Project EDMOND.
Delivering strategic transport planning and impact assessment services supporting the London Mayor's Transport Strategy.
Supporting National Highways on major Strategic Road Network programmes across England.
Playing a key role in the Lower Thames Crossing, one of the UK's largest infrastructure projects.
Supporting the development of West Yorkshire Mass Transit, transforming how people travel across Leeds and Bradford.
Advising on major rail and mass transit programmes including the Elizabeth Line and TransPennine Route Upgrade.
Supporting Transport Scotland's long-term transport investment strategy through advanced accessibility and data analysis tools.
This breadth of work gives our people the opportunity to influence transport policy, infrastructure investment and mobility solutions at a national scale, while developing their careers through exposure to new technologies, complex challenges and diverse projects.
The role
As an Associate Director or Senior Associate Director, you'll bring strategic insight, technical expertise and strong leadership to a diverse portfolio of transport planning projects.
Project Delivery:
Oversee the successful delivery of complex transport planning commissions, including feasibility studies, transport assessments, option development, business cases and transport strategies. Provide technical leadership, ensure robust quality assurance and manage project risks to deliver work to agreed programme, budget and quality requirements.
Leadership:
Play a key role in establishing and growing Jacobs' transport planning presence in Reading and the surrounding region. Contribute to business strategy, enhance market visibility and help position Jacobs as a leading provider of transport planning and advisory services. Mentor and develop a high-performing team, creating an environment where people can thrive and progress their careers. Support recruitment, strengthen technical capability, and develop future leaders
Collaboration, Innovation and Client Engagement:
Work closely with specialists from across the wider Jacobs business to develop integrated solutions to complex transport and infrastructure challenges. Champion innovative approaches and best practice, bringing together expertise from multiple disciplines to deliver sustainable and forward-thinking outcomes for clients.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with clients across local and regional government, National Highways, Transport for London, Sub-national Transport Bodies and the private sector. Provide strategic advice to help clients navigate emerging mobility trends, changing travel behaviours and the transition to lower-carbon transport solutions, ensuring positive outcomes and long-term value.
Business Development:
Identify and secure new business opportunities, leveraging your commercial awareness and industry network to support the growth of the transport planning business. Lead and contribute to bids and proposals, develop key client relationships and collaborate with colleagues across Jacobs' UK and international operations to secure and deliver multidisciplinary projects.
For someone looking to take the next step in their leadership career, this role offers genuine scope to influence strategy, grow a high-performing team, expand Jacobs' presence in the region, and leave a lasting mark on the business. A degree, or equivalent qualification, in a relevant discipline such as Engineering, Mathematics, Geography, Economics, or a related subject.
A strong track record of successfully leading and delivering transport planning projects within a client-facing consultancy environment.
Experience of developing trusted client relationships and identifying opportunities that lead to business growth, repeat work, and new commissions.
Technical expertise in one or more areas including transport planning, transport modelling, transport economics and appraisal.
Experience working with major public sector clients and navigating complex stakeholder environments.
The ability to lead multidisciplinary teams while providing clear direction, mentoring and support to colleagues.
A sound understanding of project and client management, including programme delivery, resource planning, commercial performance, quality and risk management.
A proactive and adaptable approach, balancing project delivery, business development, team leadership and growth opportunities.
An interest in innovation and the future of transport, including emerging technologies, digital solutions and evolving mobility trends.
So if you are ready for a new challenge - please apply below!
What You'll Get
In return, you'll join a business where transport planning is central to some of the UK's most high-profile infrastructure and mobility programmes.
Alongside meaningful and varied work, we offer:
Up to 10% pension contribution
24 days annual leave plus the option to buy up to 10 additional days
Private medical insurance
Income protection
Flexible and hybrid working
Access to specialist expertise across the UK and globally
Clear opportunities for career growth and progression
If you're looking for a role where you can influence major projects, develop client relationships and help shape the future of transport across the UK, we'd love to hear from you.
This role is based in our Reading office and offers a hybrid working pattern, with three days per week in the office and two days working from home.
Reading Berkshire United Kingdom Reading Berkshire United Kingdom Planning and Consulting Cities & Places
Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.
With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we've gone beyond traditional ways of working
Reference: 322da1ea36f4166e6efc759d1672a8c9362c316a · Posted 3 days ago · Closes 2 Dec 2026 · Listed via Jacobs
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