Principal Transport Planner

The Principal Transport Planner position in Bristol, with RGB Recruitment, carries a salary between £45,000 and £60,000 per annum on a full-time, hybrid basis. This role centres on development planning, where you will lead transport assessments, provide technical guidance, and manage project delivery from feasibility through to approval. You will build client relationships and take ownership of a varied portfolio, offering clear progression for those ready to step up. Your expertise in transport planning, communication, and project management is essential. The consultancy offers genuine autonomy, allowing you to shape outcomes and influence the growth of a design led practice.

Are you an experienced Senior or Principal Transport Planner looking for a role where you can take genuine ownership of projects, build strong client relationships and have a visible impact on a growing consultancy? This is an opportunity to work on a varied portfolio of development led projects, providing practical transport advice from early feasibility and site promotion through to planning, technical approvals and delivery. Whether you're a Senior Transport Planner ready for the next step towards Principal, or an established Principal looking for greater influence and visibility, this role offers the autonomy, variety and career progression to match.

The opportunity

You'll become a key member of a close knit transport planning team, working alongside experienced professionals across highways, infrastructure, drainage, environmental and place making disciplines. Your role will be varied, combining technical delivery, project management, client engagement and strategic advice.

• Leading development planning projects from feasibility and pre application through to planning submission and delivery.
• Preparing and reviewing Transport Assessments, Transport Statements, Travel Plans, access appraisals, feasibility studies and technical notes.
• Providing transport and access advice to developers and wider professional teams.
• Liaising directly with local planning authorities, highway authorities, clients, planning consultants, architects and other project stakeholders.
• Supporting planning applications, conditions, S106/S278 matters and technical approvals.
• Managing project programmes, budgets, deliverables and client expectations.
• Reviewing technical work and providing guidance to junior team members.
• Contributing to the continued growth and development of the transport planning team.

For candidates operating at Principal level, there is also the opportunity to play a more significant role in business development, fee proposals, client account development and shaping the future direction of the team.

About you

We're looking for an experienced development planning professional who combines sound technical judgement with strong communication skills and commercial awareness. You'll ideally have:

• Strong UK development planning experience within a consultancy environment.
• Experience preparing and reviewing Transport Assessments, Transport Statements, Travel Plans and associated technical reports.
• A good working knowledge of TRICs, TEMPro and junction modelling, including Junctions, LinSig or similar.
• Experience working with developers, planning consultants, architects, local planning authorities and highway authorities.
• Excellent report writing and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex transport matters clearly to clients and non technical audiences.
• The confidence to take ownership of projects, manage deadlines and maintain strong client relationships.
• A collaborative approach and an interest in supporting and mentoring less experienced colleagues.
• Experience across residential, mixed use, retail, commercial or regeneration projects would be advantageous.

As an independent, multidisciplinary consultancy, you'll have direct access to senior colleagues, varied project exposure and the freedom to contribute ideas and shape solutions.

You'll benefit from:

• Competitive, industry leading salary, depending on experience and level.
• Hybrid working, with the opportunity to work from the Bristol office alongside flexible home working.
• Varied and challenging development planning projects.
• Genuine opportunities for career progression from Senior to Principal and beyond.
• Support for professional development and professional memberships.
• Company pension and wider benefits package.
• A collaborative and supportive team environment.
• Active social, sporting and charitable activities.