Associate Director - Transport Planning
About this role
Lead projects, win work, and grow our presence.
SLR is a global leader in sustainability solutions, working with clients to help make sustainability happen, within a collaborative, people-first culture.
Due to continued growth, we are seeking an experienced Associate Director - Transport Planning to join our established Transport and Mobility Planning team in Exeter.
Working as part of a team of over 100 transport and mobility specialists across the UK, you'll lead the delivery of complex development projects, manage key client relationships, and help grow our transport planning presence across the region. This is an excellent opportunity for an established Associate or a high performing, well connected Principal Transport Planner ready to take the next step in their career.
The Role
You'll lead and manage a range of transport planning projects across the development lifecycle, from site promotion and planning applications through to condition discharge and monitoring. The role includes:
- Project and technical leadership across multiple complex projects
- Client relationship management and business development activities
- Preparation and review of Transport Statements, Transport Assessments, Travel Plans and related planning documentation
- Managing project teams, programmes and budgets
- Stakeholder engagement, consultation and presentation of technical proposals
- Mentoring and developing junior team members
- Supporting work-winning activities and commercial growth of the business
You’ll collaborate with colleagues across Environmental and Earth Sciences, Planning, ESIA and Engineering along with Global Advisory, on complex and impactful projects, with opportunities for European and international exposure.
Rewards & Benefits
SLR's ‘One Team’ culture is at the heart of our business, providing a collaborative and supportive environment where people can develop and grow. Through a structured career framework, regular performance reviews, and support towards chartership, professional qualifications and licences, we offer excellent opportunities for long-term career progression. Our flexible benefits and reward package includes:
- Competitive salary with discretionary bonus
- Company pension
- Private medical insurance
- Life, income, and travel insurance
- Salary sacrifice car lease and cycle‑to‑work schemes
- Volunteering and Community Giving
- Flexible, hybrid and agile working
- 25 days’ annual leave plus flexible public holidays
- Buy or sell leave options
- Core working hours
- Cross‑border remote working and sabbatical opportunities
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave pay
- Workplace Nursery benefit
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Specialist support for mental health, stress and menopause - supporting our people both professionally and personally
About You
- Principal or Associate Director-level transport planning experience
- Degree qualification in a relevant discipline
- Strong knowledge of UK transport and development planning policy
- Experience preparing Transport Assessments, Transport Statements and Travel Plans
- Proven project, client and stakeholder management skills
- Strong commercial acumen with a track record of winning work
- Excellent communication, leadership and mentoring skills
Culture & Inclusion
Inclusion is fundamental to who we are. We are committed to equal opportunities and foster a workplace where everyone can thrive, supported by active Culture & Inclusion Committees and Employee Networks. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are a Disability Confident Committed employer. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.
If this Associate Director – Transport Planning role feels like a great fit for your experience and ambitions, we’d love to hear from you.
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Company at a glance
SLR is a committed partner in our clients’ sustainability journeys.
We help them move from influence to impact, turning intent into purposeful, practical action that delivers real-world results.
Guided by our philosophy of Rational Sustainability, we focus on what truly drives long-term value. By viewing decisions through the lenses of risk, reward, and resilience, we help clients act with confidence, balancing environmental and social responsibility with commercial and strategic success.
Our purpose - Making Sustainability Happen - means delivering outcomes that are grounded in evidence, shaped by experience, and built to last.
SLR has been advising clients for over 30 years at every point of their project life-cycle. Starting as a UK business, we now operate as a global company with more than 4,500 people delivering client solutions across six regions. We have grown both organically and through welcoming other like-minded businesses with a similar One Team culture into the SLR group. We are ably supported by our principal investor, Ares Management, and will continue to build a balanced, successful and growing business.
We’ve designed working life at SLR to look a little different. Because we know talented people often feel restricted by the rigid systems, lack of cross-functional collaboration and limited options for growth on offer elsewhere.
Our One Team culture promotes meaningful professional and personal growth, our flat management structure provides many opportunities to progress, and our collaborative approach means you’ll get the chance to work on projects you care about and make a real difference.
If you’re purpose-driven, self-motivated and keen to make an impact on a global scale, we want to hear from you.
Top Benefits
- Competitive Salary
- Discretionary Bonus
- Company Pension
- Private Medical Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Income Insurance
- Travel Insurance
- Salary Sacrifice Car Lease
- Cycle-to-work Schemes
- Volunteering and Community Giving
- Flexible, Hybrid and Agile Working
- 25 Days Annual Leave
- Flexible Public Holidays
- Buy or Sell Leave Options
- Core Working Hours
- Cross-border Remote Working
- Sabbatical Opportunities
- Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave Pay
- Workplace Nursery Benefit
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Mental Health, Stress and Menopause Support
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