Specific Qualifications or Experience Required
- Negotiating with local government for project funding.
- Business development expertise – creating and identifying opportunities
- Substantial experience in programme leadership.
- Experience of working collaboratively across organisational functions, and geographies.
- Significant experience of working with national and local government across England.
- Experience of both strengthening strategic relationships and building new relationships with councillors/portfolio holders, officers, and funding and delivery partners.
- Extensive experience of strategic planning and effective implementation.
- Proven track record of leading and developing high performing teams to deliver organisational excellence, impact and efficiency.
- Proven track record of strengthening diversity and inclusion.
- Ideally, experience of working with volunteers.
- Ideally, experience of working in the transport sector, with an understanding of transport governance across England.
Specific / Technical Knowledge Required
- Knowledge of project and programme management approaches.
- Knowledge of structures and processes of combined authorities.
- Knowledge of the roles, responsibilities and relationships between government actors relevant to Sustrans priorities: DfT, ATE, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, National Highways, Homes England, Network Rail.
- Knowledge of behaviour change approaches as they relate to Sustrans’ agenda, including the COM-B model.
- Ideally, knowledge of public transport operation and spatial planning in the three nations.
- Knowledge of sustainable transport, including the broad issues, opportunities and solutions to achieving our vision across England.
- Knowledge of operational and strategic risk and issues management.
- Understanding of the policy environment relating to Sustrans’ work.
- Ideally, knowledge of the development sector – an understanding of the ecosystem involved in planning and delivering new housing.
- Knowledge of approaches to continuous improvement.
Skills and Abilities
- Able to negotiate with and influence a wide range of individuals at senior level.
- Leadership skills: can inspire teams and individuals.
- Resilient, and able to lead through change.
- Project and programme management skills.
- Able to build and sustain effective working relationships.
- Proven experience in business development.
- Able to think and act strategically.
- Financial acumen: ability to analyse data and financial reporting to drive performance.
- Excellent communication skills: visual, verbal and written.
- Challenge others’ views constructively and effectively.
- Proactive risk management.
- Able to foster an inclusive environment that values different perspectives and experiences.
- Comfortable talking to the media.
- Able to remain calm under pressure, always acting with tact, diplomacy, discretion, and confidentiality.
- Positive, persistent and outcome-focused approach.