Project Manager Bus Reform
Help shape the future of bus travel in the North East
We're looking for an experienced Project Manager to join our Bus Reform team and play a key role in one of the biggest and most ambitious transport projects in the region.
The Bus Reform Project is exploring how we can use devolution to further improve bus services for customers across the North East. With a Mayoral decision on whether to introduce bus franchising expected in early 2027, this is an exciting opportunity to join the project at a pivotal stage and potentially help deliver the transition towards the first franchised bus services in autumn 2029.
The Role
Working within a high-profile, multimillion-pound programme, you'll independently manage key elements of the project, ensuring they are delivered to time, cost and quality within a complex technical, strategic and political environment.
You'll develop and maintain project plans, programmes, risk registers and reporting, lead areas of 5C business case development, support budget management and manage changes in scope, schedule and cost. You'll also have the opportunity to lead procurement activity and manage external suppliers and contracts.
Stakeholder management will be at the heart of the role. You'll work closely with partners, consultants and senior stakeholders across the region, leading meetings and workshops, building strong relationships and using your influencing skills to keep delivery moving forward.
About You
You'll be an experienced project professional who is comfortable taking ownership and delivering within a complex, fast-moving environment.
You'll bring experience of project management methodologies, planning, monitoring and reporting, alongside the ability to independently manage key elements of complex projects. You'll also have experience of project, risk, contract management and procurement.
You'll be an excellent communicator with strong organisation, problem-solving and influencing skills. You'll be confident working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and able to balance competing priorities while maintaining focus on delivery.
What it Isn't
This isn't a role where you'll simply maintain project plans and report on progress from the sidelines. You'll be expected to take ownership, solve problems and drive delivery, working confidently with senior stakeholders and making decisions independently when needed.
You don't necessarily need to be a bus industry expert from day one. While knowledge of transport, local government and bus franchising would be valuable, we're particularly interested in project management experience and your ability to apply it successfully within a major, complex programme.
So, if you...
...want to use your project management expertise to help deliver a once-in-a-generation transformation of bus services across the North East, we'd love to hear from you.
We are proud to be an inclusive employer, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and experiences. We support flexible working and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented including women, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.
If you would like an informal discussion, or further information about this role please contact Vasile Gadinceanu, Head of Bus Reform, Vasile.Gadinceanu@northeast-ca.gov.uk
Closing date for applications: Tuesday 24th November 2026 at 23:59
For further information about the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority please visit our website www.northeast-ca.gov.uk.
This recruitment is being administered by Durham County Council on behalf of the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.
We're looking for an experienced Project Manager to join our Bus Reform team and play a key role in one of the biggest and most ambitious transport projects in the region.
The Bus Reform Project is exploring how we can use devolution to further improve bus services for customers across the North East. With a Mayoral decision on whether to introduce bus franchising expected in early 2027, this is an exciting opportunity to join the project at a pivotal stage and potentially help deliver the transition towards the first franchised bus services in autumn 2029.
The Role
Working within a high-profile, multimillion-pound programme, you'll independently manage key elements of the project, ensuring they are delivered to time, cost and quality within a complex technical, strategic and political environment.
You'll develop and maintain project plans, programmes, risk registers and reporting, lead areas of 5C business case development, support budget management and manage changes in scope, schedule and cost. You'll also have the opportunity to lead procurement activity and manage external suppliers and contracts.
Stakeholder management will be at the heart of the role. You'll work closely with partners, consultants and senior stakeholders across the region, leading meetings and workshops, building strong relationships and using your influencing skills to keep delivery moving forward.
About You
You'll be an experienced project professional who is comfortable taking ownership and delivering within a complex, fast-moving environment.
You'll bring experience of project management methodologies, planning, monitoring and reporting, alongside the ability to independently manage key elements of complex projects. You'll also have experience of project, risk, contract management and procurement.
You'll be an excellent communicator with strong organisation, problem-solving and influencing skills. You'll be confident working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and able to balance competing priorities while maintaining focus on delivery.
What it Isn't
This isn't a role where you'll simply maintain project plans and report on progress from the sidelines. You'll be expected to take ownership, solve problems and drive delivery, working confidently with senior stakeholders and making decisions independently when needed.
You don't necessarily need to be a bus industry expert from day one. While knowledge of transport, local government and bus franchising would be valuable, we're particularly interested in project management experience and your ability to apply it successfully within a major, complex programme.
So, if you...
...want to use your project management expertise to help deliver a once-in-a-generation transformation of bus services across the North East, we'd love to hear from you.
We are proud to be an inclusive employer, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and experiences. We support flexible working and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented including women, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.
If you would like an informal discussion, or further information about this role please contact Vasile Gadinceanu, Head of Bus Reform, Vasile.Gadinceanu@northeast-ca.gov.uk
Closing date for applications: Tuesday 24th November 2026 at 23:59
For further information about the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority please visit our website www.northeast-ca.gov.uk.
This recruitment is being administered by Durham County Council on behalf of the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.
Attachments
Salary range
- £47,665 - £50,908 per year