Franchising and Bus Reform Officer

Transport is changing in Stoke-on-Trent, and we're looking for someone who wants to be a part of that journey. This is an exciting opportunity to join our Transport Connectivity team at a time of significant investment and change. We're delivering an ambitious programme of improvements to help people move around the city more easily, support economic growth, improve connections, and create places where communities can thrive. As our Franchising and Bus Reform Officer, you'll support the Local Transport Delivery Manager to shape transport policy, be part of the development of future programmes and experience the journey to turn ideas into deliverable projects. You'll work with colleagues across the Council, elected members, transport operators, and regional partners to support the delivery of meaningful improvements across the region. We are looking for someone who is keen to get involved with the future of transport policy and delivery, working with consultants and colleagues to develop and support studies including bus franchising across our city. It is early days for this change, but we want to be prepared for the journey. In return, you'll be part of a supportive team, enjoy a varied and rewarding role, and have the chance to be part of making a difference to the future of Stoke-on-Trent transport network. Whether it's helping to develop policy or supporting the delivery of projects that improve everyday journeys, you'll be helping to shape how our city grows and connects for years to come. If you're motivated by challenge, collaboration, and the opportunity to be part of this exciting journey, we'd love to hear from you.,

• Lead and project manage bus franchising pilot studies, ensuring high-quality, timely and cost-effective delivery of consultancy outputs
• Drive the development and implementation of transport strategies, policies and masterplans, including statutory transport planning documents and performance frameworks
• Lead future transport projects arising from pilot studies, including preparation for potential Bus Franchising Assessments
• Build and maintain effective relationships with bus operators, community groups, government bodies and other stakeholders to support transport initiatives and programme delivery
• Oversee commissioning, procurement and contract management activities, ensuring value for money, contractual compliance and clear communication of complex transport strategies to senior stakeholders
  
  A degree in transport planning, project management, engineering, economics, or a closely related field or have substantial, demonstrable experience in a comparable transport-focused role
• Knowledge of transport modelling and/or using GIS tools
• Good knowledge of the delivery of bus services in a public sector environment
• Experience of working in a highly open and collaborative manner with a wide range of stakeholders, transport operators and council officers to achieve outcomes that deliver the Councils priorities, plans and strategies
• Strong organisational and project management skills, including experience managing external consultants
• Ability to interpret transport data, including patronage, accessibility and service performance
• Experience of using this evidence to support service design or recommendations
  
  We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on Trent City Council is more than just a job, it's about making, protecting and improving the services for the local population, reducing inequalities and improving independence for the people who live and work in the city. And that's where you come in. We are always looking for people of the highest calibre with skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision., Stoke-on-Trent City Council's diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset and most valuable resource. The skills, knowledge and experience of our c.4,600 employees are essential to delivering our ambitions and vision for our organisation and Stoke-on-Trent. We want to be an employer that people are proud to work for, and where our staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them to excel and to deliver the high-quality services that our residents need., Stoke-on-Trent City Council is a unitary authority employing approximately 4,600 staff who deliver 700 services to more than 260,000 residents. Our city comprises of six towns: Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton, Stoke and Tunstall. We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. We have undergone significant changes over the last few years. New ways of working have already transformed many service areas and we are determined to continue to develop more innovative approaches to ensure that we can maximise the benefits of transformation.
Our city Although the 13th largest city in the UK, Stoke-on-Trent is rapidly outstripping a number of parts of the country with our economic growth and recovery. Stoke-on-Trent is a city with a strong sense of civic pride - we've been voted the kindest city in the UK - and a place where you'll receive a hugely warm welcome. We have a rich and diverse culture, steeped in our prestigious industrial heritage as the celebrated 'world capital of ceramics'. But we don't just want to celebrate our proud past - we firmly believe that Stoke-on-Trent's best years are ahead of it. We are determined to raise aspirations and match them with high-quality education and health provision, as well as improved opportunities to secure fulfilling and well-paid work. Through uniting social and economic opportunities, we are maximising the full power of the city council as a secure and steadfast institution within the city.


• A competitive salary based on your skills, experience and talent
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• An excellent local authority benefits pension scheme
• Professional development through learning opportunities, regular training sessions and apprenticeship and management schemes, When you work for Stoke-on-Trent City Council you'll be helping to improve the lives and wellbeing of our residents. We'll provide you with support, learning opportunities and flexible working options and some amazing benefits including; a competitive salary, generous holidays, an excellent defined local authority benefit pension scheme, annual leave purchase scheme, cycle to work schemes just to name a few. We also have access to lifestyle benefits which offer a wide range of discounts such as family days out, travel, retail and many more.
Our commitment to you Vibrancy and diversity are two of Stoke-on-Trent's greatest assets. A city founded on creative endeavour should value and celebrate the multitude of voices, ideas and identities that shape its culture. We are committed to creating a culture which is truly inclusive, where all staff feel valued, listened to, supported and able to do their work to the best of their abilities at all times. And we must ensure that our decisions and policies nurture and empower communities across our city and do not inadvertently disadvantage groups and individuals that we want to help to thrive. Our approach to Equality and Diversity is an invitation to all our communities to work with and for us so we can continue to improve how we deliver services residents need. Our employee networks are inclusive, open forums for colleagues with similar lived experiences. They allow staff to meet, support and mentor each other, alongside being a voice for under-represented groups to advise and support the organisation when developing policies and services.