Principal Transport/Development Planner

About the Role

You will work closely with our Highways, Services, Structures and Environmental teams, contributing technical transport planning to multi‑disciplinary development proposals. The position also includes day‑to‑day technical work, project management and leadership responsibilities where appropriate. Mentoring Early Career Professionals is a key part of the job, helping them deliver projects while you support or lead transport planning on small to medium‑scale developments. You will collaborate with senior colleagues to manage and deliver complex, multi‑disciplinary projects and further develop your commercial skills. The role requires you to build and nurture a professional network of co‑professionals and clients, supporting business development activities and pursuing chartered status in a transport‑related discipline. • Lead technical transport planning for commercial, retail and residential development projects, including strategies, masterplan inputs and expert‑witness evidence. • Coordinate multi‑disciplinary proposals with Highways, Services, Structures and Environmental teams. • Mentor Early Career Professionals while overseeing project delivery and leadership tasks. • Conduct transport assessments, travel plans, access and parking strategies, and sustainable/active travel solutions using NPPF and DfT guidelines. • Prepare traffic flow data and operate junction capacity modelling software (e.g., Junctions 10, Linsig) for scenario testing. • Manage project budgets, resources and invoicing for small to medium‑scale projects. • Design and supervise conceptual junction designs such as priorities, roundabouts and signals.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸transport planning
• ▸junction modelling
• ▸travel plans
• ▸junction design
• ▸coordination
• ▸mentoring

What You Bring

We are hiring a Principal Development Planner with a strong transport‑planning background to join our Development team in Manchester. The role involves delivering transport‑related inputs for commercial, retail and residential schemes, developing transport strategies, contributing to masterplans and providing expert‑witness evidence for private and public sector clients. We are looking for candidates who have led technical work such as transport assessments, travel plans, access and parking strategies, and sustainable/active travel solutions, using guidance like NPPF and DfT Transport Assessment guidelines. Experience with traffic flow data, junction capacity modelling (Junctions 10, Linsig), and conceptual junction design is essential, as is competence in project budgeting, resource planning and invoicing. Strong communication skills, confidence in client discussions, and the ability to share knowledge and mentor others are vital. Proficiency with core software packages such as Excel and Word is expected. • Communicate confidently with clients, senior colleagues and stakeholders, and share knowledge through mentorship. • Demonstrate proficiency in Excel, Word and related software; build a professional network and pursue chartered status.

Requirements

• ▸transport planning
• ▸excel
• ▸word
• ▸chartered
• ▸mentorship
• ▸junction modelling

Benefits

What if you could shape a career as unique as you? At WSP you’ll find opportunities to grow and do work that matters, leveraging our global reach to take on new challenges alongside diverse, talented colleagues who will help you expand your horizons. WSP offers a hybrid working policy with two days remote per week, flexible “WSP My Hour” for personal activities, and a range of wellbeing programmes including virtual GP access, Gymflex discounts and menopause support. Our inclusive culture promotes diversity, employee resource groups, and a supportive environment for career development through training, mentoring and chartership. • Benefit from hybrid working (2 days remote), flexible “WSP My Hour”, part‑time options, wellbeing programs (virtual GP, Gymflex, menopause support), and inclusive culture. • Access development opportunities through training, mentoring and chartership support.

Work Environment

Hybrid