The West England Mayoral Combined Authority leads on growth, inclusion and sustainability for the vibrant areas of Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset.

The West of England Combined Authority is leading on the government’s growth agenda, building on the opportunities of our region’s growth areas of innovation, advanced manufacturing, logistics and digital technology as well as the rural economy, to create a brighter, fairer, greener future for nearly one million residents.

Why Join West England Mayoral Combined Authority Now?

The West England Mayoral Combined Authority is at the centre of government priorities, making it an exciting time to come on board. With a bold commitment to grow our economy, lead on the just transition to the green economy, the MCA is leading the way in sustainable and innovative transport solutions.  By joining the MCA, you'll be at the forefront of shaping the future of transport in one of the UK's fastest growing regions, driving long-term economic, and environmental goals.

Additionally, the recent Government white paper on transport policy has set the stage for significant advancements and investments in the sector. This emphasizes the importance of sustainable transport solutions, integrated systems, and innovative technologies, aligning perfectly with the mayoral MCAs vision and goals. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking organisation at the centre of government ambitions.

About the Role

The Executive Director of Transport is responsible for overseeing all aspects of transport operations, leading on the delivery of the region’s transport ambitions, leading the development of inclusive and sustainable transport and ensuring improvements on transport align with economic growth priorities. You'll be at the helm of implementing a forward-thinking strategy that not only meets current needs but also anticipates future challenges and opportunities. You will craft a delivery plan that is innovative and aligned with the MCAs ambitious goals for economic growth and environmental sustainability.

You'll oversee the execution of significant transport initiatives, including cutting-edge bus improvement projects, transformative rail development schemes, and seamless integrated transport solutions. Your aim is to ensure these programmes are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality and efficiency. As a vital member of the Corporate Leadership Team, you'll collaborate closely with senior leaders across the organisation to ensure transport strategies are fully integrated with broader organisational objectives. Your strategic insights will be crucial in high-level decision-making processes.

Building strong and effective relationships with internal colleagues and external stakeholders, including local authorities, transport operators, businesses, and community groups, will be key. You'll leverage these relationships to drive collaborative efforts and achieve shared goals. Additionally, you'll take on an ambassadorial role, representing the MCA in various forums, advocating for the organisation's transport vision and initiatives. You'll be the public face of MCAs transport agenda, engaging with media, policymakers, and the community to build support and drive positive change.

About You/The Candidate

The ideal candidate will be a highly experienced and credible transport expert, ready to take the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority on an exciting journey to transform transport operations. You will have a proven track record of seeing major transport programmes from start to finish, with experience working with or within the public sector. You should possess exceptional strategic leadership skills, with the ability to set a compelling vision for the organisation and inspire your team to achieve it. Navigating complex challenges and making informed decisions that drive progress and innovation will be crucial.

A deep understanding of governance processes and a commitment to ensuring strong internal governance are critical. You should be skilled at developing and implementing robust frameworks that promote transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making. Demonstrating keen political awareness and navigating the political landscape effectively is essential. You understand the importance of stakeholder engagement and are skilled at building and maintaining positive relationships with key influencers and decision-makers.

You excel at engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, from Local Authorities and transport operators to businesses and community groups. As a skilled communicator and negotiator, you can build consensus and drive collaborative efforts. Extensive experience in commissioning and managing large-scale projects is necessary. You are adept at overseeing complex procurement processes, ensuring value for money, and delivering high-quality outcomes.

Resilience, collaboration, and energy are key personal attributes. You thrive in dynamic environments and are able to manage multiple priorities effectively. As a natural multi-tasker, you can balance the operational requirements and strategic pressures of this role. You are organised, efficient, and able to keep projects on track. Highly influential and comfortable being the spokesperson for the organisation on all things transport, you are an engaging communicator, able to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively.

For an informal conversation on the role, please contact:

Marek Dobrowolski

Marek.dobrowolski@berwickpartners.co.uk

+ 44 7793 529 576

Corinne Attwood

Corinne.Attwood@berwickpartners.co.uk

+44 (0) 121 654 5954

Closing date: 9am on Monday 17th March