Team Leader Active Travel Projects (Influencing Travel Behaviour)

As the Active Travel Projects Lead in the Council's Influencing Travel Behaviour (ITB) team, you'll thrive on managing the development and implementation of active travel and behaviour change projects across Leeds. The main initial focus of the role will be managing the city's public e-bike hire scheme, Leeds City Bikes, whilst supporting the development and delivery of projects in the teams growing safe, sustainable and active travel programme., As our Active Travel Projects Lead, you'll play a key role in the Council's Influencing Travel Behaviour (ITB) team, supporting the delivery of the Council's ambitious Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy and Vision Zero Strategy. You'll be passionate about active travel, achieving mode shift and improving safety for sustainable and active travel modes in Leeds. You will manage the delivery and implementation of active travel and behaviour change projects across Leeds, with an initial focus on the city's public e-bike hire scheme. The role will require experience in stakeholder engagement, managing suppliers and delivery partners, as well as managing project budgets and driving up commercial and project performance. You will be a team player, working closely with the ITB Team Leader, the Road Safety and Travel Plan Leads and comms colleagues., To manage the delivery and implementation of active travel and behaviour change projects across Leeds, including of a public e-bike hire scheme for Leeds. Supporting the Principal Transport Planner, undertaking the development, implementation and monitoring of active travel projects and programmes to influence behaviour change and deliver the outcomes of the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy and Vision Zero Strategy.,

• Support the Principal Transport Planner in the detailed organisation and administration of staff in the team.
• To Project Manage the delivery and implementation of a public e-bike hire scheme for Leeds and other projects to support safe and sustainable travel, including meeting all requirements of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) assurance process.
• Oversee the delivery of a range of projects and travel behaviour change interventions to encourage safe, sustainable and active transport in a range of educational settings, businesses and the wider community and alongside new sustainable travel infrastructure / services. This will require project management as well as contract management / managing suppliers and delivery partners.
• Lead/project manage, develop and contribute to key projects and programmes to influence travel behaviour and promote safe and sustainable travel to support delivery of the targets in the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy and Vision Zero Strategy.
• In partnership with the Road Safety and Travel Planning Team Leaders and the ITB comms team, develop innovative and targeted behaviour change engagement programmes to encourage safe and sustainable road user behaviour and assist to reduce car ownership and use.
• Prepare reports for Executive Board and other boards and committees and issue briefs for Members and senior officers and contribute to documents including specifications, project briefings, reports, press releases and responses to letters and enquiries.
• Respond to enquiries and liaise with appropriate contacts throughout the Department, Council and similar bodies.
• Provide specialist advice to the directorate and other bodies on behalf of the team on matters relating to behaviour change, including those which support sustainable transport measures such as cycling, walking and other mobility measures.
• Plan and manage project budgets, development of business cases, project briefs, and preparation of funding proposals, bids and resource plans as required.
• Effectively plan and prioritise workload for the team and ensure it is carried out effectively, efficiently and to the required standard in line with service priorities and deadlines.
• Identify and support training and development needs and requirements for the team and ensure they maintain up-to date knowledge on influencing travel behaviour techniques and practices.
• Understand the requirements of circulars and guidelines, codes of practice, technical instructions and memoranda and ensure that such requirements are applied.
• Ensure staff record key documents, decisions, approvals, establish and maintain records, accurately entering and retrieving information and procedures and systems are consistently followed, applied and kept up to date accurately.
• Represent Leeds City Council on appropriate national and local bodies, working parties, steering groups and at public meetings.
• Deputise for the Principal Transport Planner as necessary and undertake any other duties within the Section as workloads and priorities demand at a level appropriate to the grade of the post.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills
• Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and Equality & Diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post. The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol, and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.

As the Active Travel Projects Lead, you will bring to the role:
• Knowledge and understanding of preparing and delivering schemes and measures which promote and support safe and sustainable modes of transport to influence travel behaviour, including public bike hire or similar schemes.
• Ability to communicate and present detailed issues clearly and succinctly both in writing and verbally to a wide range of people.
• Experience of working with partner agencies and identifying stakeholders to deliver multi-disciplinary projects.
• Experience managing projects including scoping activities, allocating and monitoring tasks against a budget and programme, risk management, project monitoring / evaluation and reporting / governance.
• Experience in contract management for suppliers delivering active travel projects / services and leading staff working in a team environment.
Travel throughout the district is an essential part of this job; you must hold a current driver's licence or be able to travel around Leeds effectively, including by bike., We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children's barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy. We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall's Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader. All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period. This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.,
• Ability to communicate and present detailed issues clearly and succinctly both in writing and verbally to a wide range of people.
• Ability to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of complex projects and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities.
• Have a conscientious and committed approach towards completing tasks accurately and to deadlines.
• Ability to contribute to manage diversity and change programmes, improve service quality and support culture that drives up standards and performance.
• Ability to lead and motivate others to achieve results.
• Able to draft complex, non-standard letters, emails and reports in a logical and accurate manner.
• Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
• A degree or equivalent level qualification in a relevant field and/or extensive relevant experience.
• Knowledge and understanding of Project Management for delivery of successful schemes.
• Knowledge and understanding of preparing and delivering schemes and measures which promote and support safe and sustainable modes of transport to influence travel behaviour, including public bike hire or similar schemes.
• An appreciation of the issues and concerns which influence decisions about safe and sustainable travel choices and journey planning by educational settings, business community and individuals.
• Awareness of and an ability to respect the sensitive and confidential nature of the work.
• Demonstrable experience in a planning, transport or engineering role relevant to the duties of this post within local authority, public or business sector organisation.
• Experience in contract management for suppliers delivering active travel projects / services and leading staff working in a team environment.
• Experience in the development, delivery and review of transport strategy, initiatives and events or similar activities that influence behaviour change.
• Experience managing projects including scoping activities, allocating and monitoring tasks against a budget and programme, risk management, project monitoring / evaluation and reporting / governance.
• Experience of working with partner agencies and identifying stakeholders to deliver multi-disciplinary projects.
• Experience of working with members of the public.
• Experience of interpreting data to inform, develop, implement and review projects.
• Overseeing or contributing to the management of a budget / commercial performance of a project.
Behavioural & other Characteristics required
• Be able to travel around Leeds effectively - preferably by bike.
• Be flexible, innovative and open to new ideas to changing needs and circumstances.
• Be enthusiastic about making a difference and achieving modal shift towards sustainable forms of transport and travel in Leeds.
• Committed to continuous improvement.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council Equality & Diversity Policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health & Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development
• Understand and embrace our values, behaviours and codes of conduct.
Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
• Ability to find innovative solutions to problem solving and be able to provide constructive conflict resolution.
• Ability to lead initiatives and deliver projects from inception to completion.
• Ability to promote sustainable transport with enthusiasm and persuasion.
• Membership of a relevant professional institution.
• Experience of working within the WYCA Assurance Process.
• Be familiar with key organisations such as ACTTravelWise, CoMoUK, WYCA.
• Understand behaviour change principles.
• Knowledge of the principles of highways and traffic engineering, including LTN 1/20.
• Experience of delivering successful communication and engagement strategies.
• Experience working with key partners such as the Combined Authority, Bike Hire Companies, Car Club, etc.
• Experience of local government and achieving results in a politically sensitive context.
• Experience chairing meetings.
  
  Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
  
  a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further, If you do not have the right to work in the UK, candidates must consider their own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the 'standard' salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. For more information visit Skilled Worker visa on the government website. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.