Strategic Planner

The Transport Policy: Active Travel & Public Transport team is crucial in defining the future of transportation in London. As a Strategic Planner, you will work within TfL's strategic planning and policy function, developing the evidence, policies, and programmes that underpin the Mayor's Transport Strategy. Your work will contribute to making walking, cycling, and public transport the preferred choices for journeys across the city.

This role involves collaboration with experts in sustainable transport, healthy streets, accessibility, public health, and urban growth, working with colleagues across TfL, the Greater London Authority, boroughs, and external partners. The aim is to influence long-term investment and deliver a safer, greener, and more inclusive transport network.

Role Overview

As a Strategic Planner, you will be instrumental in shaping London's transport future by supporting the development of the Mayor's Transport Strategy, the London Plan, and other related strategies. You will engage with various transport modes, policy areas, and geographical locations, contributing to the identification, development, and appraisal of policies, area-based plans, and projects that achieve strategic transport objectives for London.

You will be part of multidisciplinary project teams, supporting projects and investment portfolios from inception through to delivery. This includes defining desired outcomes, conducting research and analysis, assessing opportunities and challenges, and formulating evidence-based recommendations. Your efforts will help identify and evaluate solutions that align with TfL's strategic goals and enhance London's transport network for all users.

Key Accountabilities

• Support the development of transport policies, plans, and projects through research, analysis, option development, and evidence gathering to shape strategic outcomes.
• Produce high-quality insights and recommendations by interpreting data, research, legislation, and emerging trends, communicating findings effectively to support decision-making.
• Contribute to transport studies and business cases by identifying challenges, assessing solutions, appraising options, and developing robust evidence for investment decisions.
• Work collaboratively with TfL and partner organizations to coordinate inputs, build consensus, and ensure transport priorities are integrated into strategies and plans.
• Engage and build relationships with stakeholders across TfL, the Greater London Authority, London boroughs, and external partners, representing TfL in various forums.
• Support the development and delivery of projects and programmes throughout their lifecycle, working with delivery teams to advance schemes aligned with the Mayor's Transport Strategy.
• Provide technical and policy advice within your area of expertise, contributing to standards, guidance, and best practices for effective transport planning.
• Work flexibly in multidisciplinary and matrix teams to manage priorities and contribute to the successful delivery of strategic planning initiatives.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Skills

• Demonstrated ability in understanding the relationship between data and its application (Practitioner level essential).
• Experience in developing or assessing transport policies and procedures (Practitioner level essential).
• Strong verbal, visual, and written communication skills, including report and presentation production (Essential).
• Experience in developing work plans (Practitioner level highly desirable).
• Experience in the initiation and feasibility of transport schemes in line with policies (Desirable).

Knowledge

• Relevant degree-level qualification or professional membership/qualification, or equivalent experience (Essential).
• Knowledge of emerging best practices in areas such as transport, economics, appraisal, land use planning, environment, and urban design (Essential).
• Understanding of cities from a transport systems, health, and environment perspective, particularly London and its governance (Essential).
• Understanding of transport planning and the broader context for project development (Essential).
• Familiarity with project management processes within a strategic transport context (Desirable).
• Awareness of TfL's financial, legal, political, and regulatory environment (Desirable).

Experience

• Experience working in a project, programme, planning, or policy environment (Desirable).
• Experience working within flexible and multi-disciplinary teams (Desirable).
• Experience in producing and presenting complex information simply for key stakeholders (Desirable).

Application Process

Please submit your CV and a one-page cover letter. Ensure your cover letter addresses the skills, knowledge, and experience outlined in the advertisement. Submissions should ideally be in PDF format and should not include photographs or images.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

TfL is committed to fostering equality, diversity, and inclusion, aiming to mirror the diverse communities we serve. We believe a diverse workforce enhances our ability to deliver superior services and outcomes. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from individuals with disabilities. We may offer an interview or assessment to candidates who meet the minimum essential criteria and apply through the Disability Confident scheme. In some cases, where it is not practical to offer an interview to every candidate who meets the minimum essential criteria, we will select those who best meet the criteria for the role.

All recruitment activities are conducted fairly, consistently, and proportionately in line with our Disability Confident commitments. We utilize anonymizing software to remove identifying information from applications to ensure a fair process.

Benefits

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will receive excellent benefits and opportunities for growth. These typically include:

• Final salary pension scheme
• Free travel on the TfL network
• Reimbursement of 75% of standard class National Rail travel from home
• 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
• Hybrid working approach, balancing work-life balance
• Optional discounted private healthcare scheme
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
• Access to retail, health, leisure, and travel offers
• Discounted Eurostar travel

Vetting Process

Safety, trust, and fairness are paramount at TfL. Our Vetting Charter outlines the checks conducted before employment to ensure a safe, inclusive, and reliable network. Applicants are required to provide honest and accurate information to facilitate the application process. Any discrepancies or unverifiable information may affect the application's progression, but all candidates will be treated with transparency and clear communication.