Transport Planning - Associate Director, Reading

Your impact

We are very excited to announce that we are looking for an Associate Director or Senior Associate Director to join our growing Transport Planning team in Reading which is part of our wider London and South-East business comprising over 180 transport planners.

This is an opportunity to play a leading role in some of the UK's most significant transport and infrastructure programmes while helping grow and strengthen our transport planning presence across the Thames Valley and South-East.

At Jacobs, our transport planners help shape decisions that influence how people move, connect and access opportunities. We work with organisations including Transport for London, National Highways, Combined Authorities, local authorities and large private sector developers to deliver solutions that have a lasting impact on communities and infrastructure.

This role combines technical excellence, project leadership, client engagement, business growth and team development. Alongside delivering major commissions, you'll help shape the future of our regional transport planning business, strengthen key client relationships and play a leading role in developing our people and expanding our presence in the market.

Whether you're influencing investment decisions, shaping transport strategies or supporting nationally significant infrastructure programmes, you'll have the opportunity to make a visible impact both within Jacobs and across the wider industry.

Why Join Jacobs?

Our teams are helping deliver and shape major programmes including:

Supporting Transport for London's next-generation forecasting tools through MoTiON and Project EDMOND.

Delivering strategic transport planning and impact assessment services supporting the London Mayor's Transport Strategy.

Supporting National Highways on major Strategic Road Network programmes across England.

Playing a key role in the Lower Thames Crossing, one of the UK's largest infrastructure projects.

Supporting the development of West Yorkshire Mass Transit, transforming how people travel across Leeds and Bradford.

Advising on major rail and mass transit programmes including the Elizabeth Line and TransPennine Route Upgrade.

Supporting Transport Scotland's long-term transport investment strategy through advanced accessibility and data analysis tools.

This breadth of work gives our people the opportunity to influence transport policy, infrastructure investment and mobility solutions at a national scale, while developing their careers through exposure to new technologies, complex challenges and diverse projects.

The role

As an Associate Director or Senior Associate Director, you'll bring strategic insight, technical expertise and strong leadership to a diverse portfolio of transport planning projects.

Project Delivery

Oversee the successful delivery of complex transport planning commissions, including feasibility studies, transport assessments, option development, business cases and transport strategies. Provide technical leadership, ensure robust quality assurance and manage project risks to deliver work to agreed programme, budget and quality requirements.

Leadership

Play a key role in establishing and growing Jacobs' transport planning presence in Reading and the surrounding region. Contribute to business strategy, enhance market visibility and help position Jacobs as a leading provider of transport planning and advisory services. Mentor and develop a high-performing team, creating an environment where people can thrive and progress their careers. Support recruitment, strengthen technical capability, and develop future leaders

Collaboration, Innovation and Client Engagement

Work closely with specialists from across the wider Jacobs business to develop integrated solutions to complex transport and infrastructure challenges. Champion innovative approaches and best practice, bringing together expertise from multiple disciplines to deliver sustainable and forward-thinking outcomes for clients.

Build and maintain trusted relationships with clients across local and regional government, National Highways, Transport for London, Sub-national Transport Bodies and the private sector. Provide strategic advice to help clients navigate emerging mobility trends, changing travel behaviours and the transition to lower-carbon transport solutions, ensuring positive outcomes and long-term value.

Business Development

Identify and secure new business opportunities, leveraging your commercial awareness and industry network to support the growth of the transport planning business. Lead and contribute to bids and proposals, develop key client relationships and collaborate with colleagues across Jacobs' UK and international operations to secure and deliver multidisciplinary projects.

For someone looking to take the next step in their leadership career, this role offers genuine scope to influence strategy, grow a high-performing team, expand Jacobs' presence in the region, and leave a lasting mark on the business.