Transport Planning Society
Principal Transport Planner/ Associate Director

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AECOM
Contact: jenna.murray@aecom.com
Region: England - North East
Location: Newcastle
Category: Transport planning
Closes: 18 Dec 2026
Salary: Unspecified
More info:
Principal Transport Planner/ Associate Director
Job Description
Start here. Grow here.
AECOM offers a dynamic and collaborative environment where you can lead impactful projects and work alongside industry experts. We are seeking a Principal Transport Planner to join our Newcastle team in this senior technical role responsible for leading the development and delivery of transport planning projects. The role combines technical expertise, project management, and client engagement to deliver innovative and sustainable transport solutions. It also involves mentoring junior team members and contributing to the strategic growth of the transport planning practice.
Our clients trust us to bring together the best people, ideas, technical expertise, and digital solutions to our work in transportation, buildings, water, the environment and new energy. We’re one global team – 50,000 strong – driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world.
About You
This is a senior role for someone with extensive experience, bringing expertise in the quantitative assessment of transport schemes, economic appraisal, and preparation of business cases. The role combines advanced analytical capability with project leadership, client engagement, and business development.
The Newcastle office has an established track record of successfully delivering transport planning projects and works closely with other disciplines from Highways, Infrastructure, Buildings & Places, and Environment Sectors.
We are currently looking for a Principal Transport Planner to play a leading role in the delivery of a variety of transport projects and play a key role in identifying and winning new projects. The role will suit a self-motivated individual who is aspiring to take a lead role in project delivery and manage dynamic teams delivering high-quality projects which focus on:
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- Appraisal and evaluation of transportation schemes
- Traffic and transport data analysis
- Development of business cases
- Strategy and policy development
- Monitoring and evaluation
Here’s What You’ll Do
Project and Technical Leadership
- Support the lead the development and application of detailed transport scheme analysis to inform scheme design and investment decisions.
- Direct the preparation of economic appraisals and business cases in line with Department for Transport and HM Treasury guidance.
- Provide guidance on assessing different transport schemes, including forecasting and testing future scenarios.
- Ensure the quality and robustness of all analytical outputs.
Client and Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a trusted adviser to regional and national clients, helping shape strategy and technical direction.
- Represent the business at senior-level meetings, consultations, and workshops.
- Build and maintain strong client relationships across the North East and beyond.
Business Development
- Support work-winning activity in the region, identifying opportunities and leading bids.
- Collaborate with other AECOM teams to secure and deliver multi-disciplinary commissions.
- Contribute to innovation and thought leadership, helping to grow AECOM’s presence in the regional transport market.
Team Development
- Mentor and support colleagues at all levels, fostering technical excellence and knowledge sharing.
- Contribute to staff development, resourcing, and succession planning within the Newcastle office and wider business.
Come grow with us.


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We develop projects from concept through to operation providing engineering and construction services for multiyear, multimillion-dollar projects for major rail and transit agencies. Our specialists provide analytical and strategic expertise for every stage of a project.
And let's not forget about the perks at AECOM. You'll enjoy a range of core and personalized benefits designed to support your future and well-being, customized to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.
Qualifications
Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?
Here’s What We’re Looking For
- Previous experience in transport planning
- Degree in Transport Planning, Geography, Civil Engineering, Economics, or a related subject
- Chartered status or membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., CIHT, TPS, ICE)
- Experience in economic appraisal and business case development for major transport schemes.
- Strong track record of working within a multi-disciplinary projects and delivering to DfT and Treasury guidance.
- Experience in applying advanced analytical techniques and industry-standard tools to assess network performance and test scenarios.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to present confidently at senior level.
- Evidence of client relationship management.
At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives.
If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you!
Use the form below to apply.
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