Jacobs
Principal Transport Planner - Development Management (UK Wide)

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Your Impact
Transport Planning & Mobility Solutions at Jacobs is one of the leading teams in the UK and Ireland, with a strong pipeline of work, a diverse client base, and opportunities to support major projects both locally and internationally.
And due to those growing opportunities, we are now looking for a Principal or Associate Director Transport Planner with experience in Highways Development Management to join our team in Birmingham or Bristol.
This will be a Development Management-focused role within transport planning where you’ll act on behalf of local and national highway authorities, leading and supporting the provision of transport advice to public sector clients—primarily in the context of the planning system.
You’ll play a key role in providing transport advice and reviewing and responding to planning applications, ensuring developments are safe, policy-compliant, and deliverable. Your ability to work independently, apply sound judgement, and communicate technical advice clearly will be critical, particularly within a busy team environment where your input will be valued from day one.
Beyond project delivery, you’ll support the development of junior team members, helping build capability within a specialist area where experience is in high demand.
You’ll also contribute to maintaining strong relationships with local authority clients and supporting the continued growth of the team.
The role offers exposure to a broad range of schemes—from local developments through to projects affecting the strategic road network. You’ll engage with planners, developers, and other stakeholders, challenge proposals where needed, and ensure that transport considerations are properly integrated into development decisions.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
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In return, you’ll be part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment that encourages knowledge sharing and continuous development. You’ll have the opportunity to further strengthen your expertise in Development Management, contribute to meaningful projects, and play a visible role in shaping how places grow and function.
If you enjoy taking ownership, influencing planning decisions, and seeing the tangible impact of your work on real developments, this role could be great!
Here's what you'll need
- Degree qualified in Transport Planning or a related discipline (e.g. Civil Engineering, Geography, Urban Planning).
- Proven Highways Development Management experience within transport planning, including acting on behalf of Highway Authorities, reviewing planning applications, and applying policy with sound, balanced judgement.
- Strong technical capability, including reviewing transport assessments, analysing data, and providing clear, practical recommendations.
At Jacobs, you'll find more than just a job. You'll discover
- A global network of expertise and opportunity
- Up to 10% pension
- 24 days (+10 days bought) holidays
- Free medical and income protection insurance
Ready to shape the future of transport and join us creating smarter, more sustainable mobility solutions that transform communities and improve lives.


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Joining Jacobs
Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion, and belonging, with working arrangements that support your well-being and potential to make a real-world impact through our global giving and volunteering programs.
We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences, and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation.
Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit https://www.vercida.com/uk/employers/jacobs to view and access our roles.
As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.
Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process, please contact the team via Careers Support.
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