Senior Transport Strategist

Senior Transport Strategist

Salary: €87,510 - €109,216

Role and Responsibilities

The Strategic and Transport Planning (STP) Section leads TII’s strategic planning and transport policy work across all modes, including national roads, light rail, greenways and active travel. The Section undertakes strategic studies, monitors current and future transport needs, and assesses trends affecting the national roads, light rail, active travel and greenway networks. It identifies opportunities to optimise existing infrastructure and determines where upgrades or new investment may be required.

STP develops and manages the National Transport Model (NTpM), which underpins strategic studies, scheme appraisals and wider transport analysis. The Section also supports the development of public transport demand models and manages the acquisition and development of active travel demand modelling tools. In addition, STP develops complementary modelling tools such as the TII Road Emissions Model (REM), and conducts surveys, collects data and undertakes research across all transport systems in which TII has an interest.

A core function of the Section is transport appraisal. STP ensures compliance with national policies and guidelines, updates the Project Appraisal Guidelines (PAG) for TII-funded projects, and audits Business Cases for capital projects and operational programmes in line with the Public Spending Code and the Department of Transport’s Transport Appraisal Framework. The Section also provides appraisal guidance and supports colleagues across TII on projects spanning all transport modes.

STP contributes to the development of TII’s strategies and ensures alignment with national policy and investment frameworks such as the Climate Action Plan and the National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland. The Section engages extensively with external stakeholders, including the Department of Transport, and participates in workshops and forums shaping wider Government and transport policy. Recent work includes the development and publication of the N2040 report, setting out TII’s long-term strategy for the National Roads Network. The section is also engaged in strategic communication of the many benefits associated with TII transport networks and systems.

The Section actively monitors emerging trends—such as the prioritisation of active travel, new mobility services and the decarbonisation of transport—and leads TII’s strategic response to these developments. It recognises the transport, environmental, health and low-impact tourism benefits of greenways, cycling networks and rural active travel infrastructure, and integrates environmental, social and economic sustainability considerations into the planning and appraisal of such projects.

STP’s work is supported by Transport Planning and Strategic Communication advisers and involves close collaboration with other TII Sections across the full spectrum of transport modes.

Key areas of responsibilities for this role:

Strategic Planning

· Lead and undertake strategic studies to identify current and future challenges, opportunities and investment needs across TII's National Road, Light Rail, Active Travel and Greenway net-works.

· Support the development, implementation and periodic review of TII's strategic plans, policies and long-term investment priorities.

· Contribute to strategic planning activities with external stakeholders including the Department of Transport, Government Departments, national agencies, regional bodies and local authorities.

· Develop TII's capability to understand current and emerging trends affecting transport demand, travel behaviour, technology, energy, climate and wider societal change.

· Provide strategic advice and recommendations to senior management regarding future transport and infrastructure challenges and opportunities.

Strategic Intelligence and Research

· Manage the identification, collation, analysis and interpretation of strategic intelligence relevant to TII's activities.

· Monitor policy, legislative and regulatory developments across the transport, energy and cli-mate sectors and assess their implications for TII.

· Further develop TII's understanding of freight and commercial vehicle activity and the role of the national road network in supporting economic development.

· Further develop TII's understanding of the economic, environmental and social impacts of transport infrastructure and services.

· Further develop TII's understanding of the wider benefits delivered by its transport networks and systems and ensure these are reflected in strategic planning, reporting and communications.

· Identify emerging trends, risks and opportunities that may affect TII's future strategic direction.

Governance, Innovation and Capability

· Identify and assess opportunities, risks and implications associated with the emerging technologies across the Strategic and Transport Planning Department's activities.

· Develop governance arrangements and quality assurance processes to ensure the integrity, robustness and transparency of departmental outputs, analyses and publications.

· Promote evidence-based decision-making and support the continuous development of strategic planning capability across TII.

· Support innovation and organisational learning through engagement with academia, industry and international best practice.

Strategic Reporting and Communications

· Develop communication materials and strategic insights based on outputs from the Department's analytical tools, research and studies.

· Produce periodic strategic update reports on the performance, trends, opportunities and challenges associated with TII transport networks.

· Produce high-quality reports, briefings, publications and presentations to communicate strategic insights and evidence to internal and external stakeholders.

· Support the communication of the economic, social, environmental and quality-of-life bene-fits delivered through TII's infrastructure and services.

Stakeholder Engagement

· Develop and maintain productive relationships with key stakeholders including the Department of Transport, local authorities, national agencies, academic institutions, industry organisations and other relevant bodies.

· Represent TII on national and international strategic, policy and research forums.

· Network with equivalent organisations internationally to identify best practice and emerging trends.

· Work collaboratively across TII divisions to ensure strategic alignment and effective delivery of organisational objectives.

Leadership

· Assist the Head of Strategic and Transport Planning in delivering the Section's annual business objectives and longer-term strategic priorities.

· Lead strategic projects and initiatives as required.

· Manage external advisers and specialist consultants where required.

· Deputise for the Head of Strategic and Transport Planning as required.

· Undertake such tasks, activities or other duties as may be required or assigned as appropriate to the grade.

All the divisions within TII have inter-dependent responsibilities and close cooperation, collaboration and teamwork are required across the whole organisation to meet tight deadlines

Education & Experience

· Degree or third level professional qualification (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent) in Engineering, Mathematics, Economics, Geography or allied discipline

· Minimum 7 years’ experience in a responsible position which would include experience in development of strategic reports / studies and/or the development and integration of environ-mental, social and economic factors into sustainable transport systems and /or practices.

· A high standard of technical training, analytical skills and IT proficiency

· Excellent verbal and written communications skills, with the ability to communicate with and influence a wide range of stakeholders at varying levels.

· Effective team player with stakeholder management capabilities as they relate to the responsibilities.

· An ability to lead and motivate others to deliver objectives

· A strong commitment to public safety and to the safety of those working for TII and on behalf of TII

· A good understanding of, or the ability to quickly learn, the public sector working environment

· Fluency in the English language, both written and oral

Desirable:

· A track record of involvement in the development of strategy and evidence-based policies in a transport, infrastructure or public utility.

To apply for, or to locate further information on, these posts please visit our website: https://www.tii.ie/careers/

The closing date for applications is Thursday 22nd October at 12pm.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland is committed to a policy of equal opportunity.