Job Purpose
The Director of Transport and Future Mobility will be responsible for leading the transformation of transport mobility and connectivity to, from and around the main University campus. In order to enable the ambitious University strategy over the next 10 years to be delivered, a new mobility strategy is needed that is an imperative to University growth. The University wants to set a new standard for sustainable, modern travel for all its students, staff and visitors, one that is world leading.
This role will lead the University’s approach to transformational change, bringing in new thinking across the transport and mobility spectrum, influencing major infrastructure improvements such as rail and road and also linking with new sustainable technologies being developed in conjunction with the University and across the West Midlands, such as connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV) and very light rail (VLR). The role will be responsible for developing business cases, attracting funding and implementing commercially and operationally effective and safe systems and approaches to transform the experience of travel to and from campus and circulation/wayfinding within the campus. In order to deliver the objectives the role holder will develop relationships and partnerships with local authorities and other relevant organisations and the ability to communicate and politically influence at strategic levels will be essential.
With the main focus being on the main campus in Coventry, links to the Wellesbourne site, 20 miles away, are also a priority. Other campuses in London are well served by transport and will be a lower priority. The role will be responsible for developing and implementing long term sustainable plans to improve mobility, users’ experience and sustainable transport options to/from all campuses. With a dependency on single occupancy cars currently, the role will promote and implement a significant “modal shift” to more sustainable travel for commuters improving the travelling experience, reducing carbon footprint, offering appropriate choice and value for money.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Design, manage and implement the strategic plan for sustainable transport to create a safe, enjoyable, and memorable user experience for students, staff and visitors to campus. Primarily the role will prioritise moving away from the current dominance on single occupancy car use to more sustainable modes of transport, such as public transport, ride share, cycling and walking.
- Lead, develop strategies and influence stakeholders to secure the long term transport improvements identified within the emerging Masterplan mobility strategy to enable University growth. The potential long term transformational projects include: a new University railway station; a link road providing connectivity to Birmingham Airport/HS2 and a new campus entrance, and Very Light Rail (VLR) connecting the University to the city.
- Lead on the development and implementation where operationally and commercially viable new technologies that support the campus mobility strategy, such as CAV (connected and autonomous vehicles) or similar. This will require strong stakeholder management skills, creative and governance skills to manage the development of new technology alongside key stakeholders such as WMG, who are spearheading new forms of SMART mobility.
- Build strong relationships to influence internal (staff and students) and external stakeholders (Councils and regulatory bodies) to develop and implement integrated transport strategies to develop sector leading, effective and sustainable transport services for the University.
- Lead the team who are responsible for the Car Parking operation, including strategy and pricing policy. This role will develop business cases and champion any infrastructure improvements as well as manage tactical and operational activity associated with campus wide car parking. (full budget responsibility).
- Lead on strategies, policies and communication plans encouraging the necessary behavioural change to effect the modal shift required to more sustainable forms of travel by students, staff and visitors. This will include novel ideas to improve information on travel options available to users via mobile apps and other media.
- Implement travel demand data collection and analytical research to inform proposals scope projects, develop business cases for future mobility investment and prioritisation.
- Oversee the implementation of any necessary Section 106 agreements and provide Travel Plan Coordination.
- Responsible for ensuring that the users’ experience whilst navigating the campus is exceptional. Lead on the development & implementation of the campus master-plan circulation and wayfinding plan. Planning and managing the Keep Campus Moving team to mitigate disruption whilst campus developments are implemented and provide operational planning support to key campus events throughout the year, such as open days and arrivals weekend.
- Manage the fleet management and shuttle bus services team, ensuring that all University vehicles are maintained, are compliant, and services are always reliable and offer an exceptional customer service.
- Ensure relationships between the local bus companies operating services to/from the campuses, influencing them to improve and develop their services. Lead on re-tendering of services as required in conjunction with procurement.
- Ensure that the campus infrastructure is developed to support and enable mobility and accessibility for the diverse community across campus, integrating any associated infrastructure with the public realm and always maintaining the principles of the University Master-plan.
- Full line management of the Transport and Keep Campus Moving teams, prioritising workload, allocating available resources, coaching and training to develop a dynamic team which is capable of managing all modes of transport/mobility options.
- Produce clear annual plans/targets and objectives for ratification by the Estates Director with regular reports to monitor progress towards achieving these objectives.
- Work closely with other members of the Estates senior management team, and other functions/departments across the University, supporting other relevant activities when requested.
- To develop and manage the strategy/policy for University delivery and service vehicles across campuses.
- Liaising with relevant academic departments (especially WMG) and other research organisations on campus (e.g. JLR, Tata Motors and the Advanced Propulsion Centre), to integrate mobility research and testing into the campus infrastructure.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
POST TITLE: Director of Transport and Future Mobility
DEPARTMENT: Estates
The Person Specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively.
REQUIREMENTS The post holder must be able to demonstrate: | ESSENTIAL (E) OR DESIRABLE (D) REQUIREMENTS | MEASURED BY: a) Application Form b) Test/Exercise c) Interview d) Presentation |
Degree or equivalent experience | E | (a) (c) |
Professional qualification/chartered member of TPS/CIHT/CILT (or equivalent experience) | E | (a) (c) |
Project and programme management experience in a complex organisational setting. | E | (a) (c) |
Experience of shaping and implementing strategies, setting objectives and priorities | E | (a) (c) (d) |
Strong experience in managing programmes of change | E | (a) (c) |
Able to demonstrate behaviour consistent with University values and codes of conduct | E | (a) (c) |
Detailed knowledge and experience of using statistics and analytics to assess travel demand and develop practical and robust investment plans. | E | (a) (c) (d) |
Strong experience/knowledge of transportation options, policy and management, and related legislation. | E | (a) (c) |
Commercial experience of providing transport infrastructure within a demanding customer orientated environment. | E | (a) (c) (d) |
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written, including influencing and negotiation skills. | E | (a) (c) (d) |
Significant experience of developing business cases, acquiring funding, engaging senior stakeholders and briefing Executive teams, and ensuring recommendations made are implemented and tracked. | E | (a) (c) |
Experience of influencing external stakeholders to attract inward investment/funding | E | (a), (c) |
Strong IT/data literacy & analytical skills, able to quickly analyse and determine relevant conclusions. | E | (a), (c) |
Strong commercial awareness. For example: able to understand & convince others for the need to balance revenue & surplus generation with exceptional customer service. | E | (a), (c) |
To make an application for this role please send a CV and Covering Letter to c.boote@searchhigher.com. If you have any questions about the role please feel free to contact Chris Boote on 02476575004.