Travel Behaviour Specialist

If you have a strong knowledge of public transport and active travel and you are looking for a varied role where you will work collaboratively with stakeholders and local authorities, then this may be the perfect role for you.

The Travel Behaviour Change team develops and implements a regional Travel Behaviour Change programme working in close collaboration with critical stakeholders at a local, regional, and national level to build a resilient transport network and deliver the benefits of the Local Transport Plan, to the region. The Behaviour Change programme consists of a matrix of initiatives designed to avoid, shift, and improve travel habits, categorized by communications, engagement, or physical participation in a Behaviour Change activity throughout the region. Across all functions the objective is to influence travel behaviour and provide effective mitigation to the challenges of disruption and achieve our net zero and physical activity targets.

Our Team is looking for a Travel Behaviour Specialist to develop and deliver initiatives to improve our travel habits. This is a varied role where you will stakeholder map and engage with an array of businesses, event venues, colleges and universities to promote and incentivise the use of public transport and offer bespoke travel advice in regard to planned and unplanned travel disruption. You will be part of a team of 9 that are involved with travel communications and engagement related to several high-profile infrastructure delivery projects, including delivery of a portfolio of active travel initiatives.

This is a multifaceted role where you will be part of a dynamic team that are passionate about making a positive change for the region. We need someone who has strong presentation skills, is a good communicator and enjoys networking with people from all walks of life.

Please note that a DBS is required for this role. If you don’t already have a DBS, you must be willing to be vetted.

What you will be doing

·Stakeholder mapping

·Understanding and linking behaviour change activity to Active Travel Infrastructure delivery and other Major Capital Infrastructure schemes.

·Ensure the organisation understands community movement needs as it relates to travel for work, education, leisure and other activities.

·Develop and deliver activities and events which market the use of active travel and public transport.

·Supporting the wider organisational response during periods of disruption caused by construction projects, loss of modal capacity or severe weather.

·Develop innovative resources as well as providing advice and support for engaging a diverse range of people who live, work or travel in the West Midlands.

·Support participants, organisations, institutions and local authorities when needed in the consultation, planning and delivery of travel plans and safe walking and cycling routes.

·Manage project reporting schedules.

·Maintain up to date records of activities delivered.

·Prepare and send timely responses to customer relations enquiries.

About you

·Partnership working within a community-based or environmental project and/or experience of delivering a travel behaviour change project.

·Experience of delivering multiple projects with competing priorities.

·Knowledge and understanding of policies, challenges and initiatives relating to the West Midlands.

·Ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

·Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

·Ability to effectively prioritise, manage multiple priorities, make effective decisions and stay calm under pressure.

·Experience of using data and analysis to inform travel behaviour change projects and the role of automation and online portals in tracking change at scale, such as via Modeshift and Love to Ride.

How to apply.

On clicking ‘apply for this job’, you will first be prompted to create an account. You will have the opportunity to upload a CV, which will be used to auto-populate your profile. Please note, we do not see your CV once you have applied. Our shortlisting decisions are based on what you tell us in your profile - and so it is important to format your profile so that it really stands out. Make sure to include your employment history and include any essential education and qualifications. You will be asked to provide a supporting statement. If you already have one that you have prepared earlier, you can simply copy and paste this into the application form.

Applicants will need to evidence that they have the legal right to work in the UK.If we make an offer of employment, we will need to check that you are eligible to work in the UK before you start work. 

Salary and benefits.

We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes a Local Government Pension Scheme, 28 days of paid annual leave, Cycle to Work Scheme, and discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers. For more details, please visit the benefits page on our careers site.

Hybrid working, location and working pattern.

We believe hybrid working is the best way for our organisation to fulfil our commitment to a modern, agile workplace while continuing to provide a great service to our customers. Hybrid working means having flexibility between working in the office and at home on agreed days, where a role allows. This is agreed between an employee and their line manager, considering the business, team, and employee needs.

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane, with site visits required. It is expected that you can split your time between the office and working remotely, with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.

Creating an inclusive workplace.

Our vision is to create a better connected, more prosperous, fairer, greener, and healthier region. We aim to achieve this vision by living our values, which include being a partnership organisation, valuing and respecting our people, fostering a can-do attitude, and encouraging innovation. We are dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace that reflects the communities of the West Midlands region. WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as "Leaders in Diversity," and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We are also a Disability Confident Employer, committed to interviewing all applicants with disabilities who meet the essential role criteria. WMCA believes that building a team with varied backgrounds and experiences will benefit us as an employer and enhance our work.

We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.

We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying. If your values align with ours and you are dedicated to working towards a future that we can all be proud of, we would love to hear from you.