Cross-Modal Economic Lead

Job summary

Are you excited by the idea of using data and modelling, solving complex analytical problems, turning them into clear, meaningful insights to help shape the future of transport across the UK?

Do you have successful experience in working with complex modelling systems and deliver high quality results?

Would you like a role where your work bridges evidence gaps, influences national policy, major investment decisions, and real world outcomes?

If so, we'd love to hear from you!

We’re recruiting an experienced analyst to join our Transport Appraisal and Strategic Modelling (TASM) division – a friendly, inclusive, expert team at the heart of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) analytical community.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at Department for Transport Central - Department for Transport Careers

Would you like to find out more about the role, the team and what it’s like to work in our department? If so, we are organising an open session where you can virtually 'meet the team' on 27th March at 12:30. Please email Anthony.wolfe@dft.gov.uk to register.

Job description

About TASM

TASM plays a critical role in conducting analysis and other research to inform decision making processes across DfT: where to invest, how to shape transport policy, and how to build transport systems that work for people and places across the country.

Our work includes:

• Developing and maintaining the Department’s Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG) to support business cases for transport infrastructure investments across the UK
• Building and running national transport models to support policy development
• Driving the evolution of practices and evidence in transport modelling
• Producing the National Road Traffic Projections and developing Appraisal Modelling and Evaluation Strategy
• Providing analytical assurance for major policy and investment decisions

We currently have two modelling teams:

• Modelling Insights (MI): This team leads the development of national transport models that estimate travel demand and road traffic. They ensure TASM’s modelling and analyses are operated and managed under efficient frameworks and digital infrastructure. They also modernise our modelling capabilities and work closely with data engineers, social researchers, and policy teams to provide high quality insight.
• Cross Modal Modelling (CMM): This newer team focuses on modelling the whole transport system by integrating transport modes and understanding how they interact across portfolios. They build connections and collaborate with other analytical disciplines to ensure the decision-making processes are supported with stronger evidence from a multimodal angle. Their work includes land use modelling, freight modelling, activity based modelling, and developing multi modal guidance for TAG.

Across both teams, we have 11 analysts with a range of skillsets who collaborate closely, share ideas openly, and enjoy learning and developing together. We value diverse perspectives, innovative thinking, and a supportive working environment. Our work plays a key role in delivering DfT’s strategic priorities.

All three advertised roles will report to either the Head of Modelling Insights or the Head of Cross-Modal Modelling.

The Role

We are recruiting for one Grade 7 role - Cross‑Modal Economic Lead.

This role offers the chance to lead important analytical work, shape how modelling is improved while promoting TASM analysis within and outside of DfT, and support colleagues across policy and analysis to deliver impactful results. You’ll also help strengthen TASM’s modelling approaches more broadly. We can tailor responsibilities to your strengths along with TASM’s priorities if you are successful in your application.

This role will support better investment decisions by developing tools and methods that simulate the interactions and impacts between land use and transport system. In this role, you will:

• Develop economic modelling tools for transport investments and strategic analysis
• Bring together evidence on how different transport investments interact to support business cases and assess economic impacts across modes at a national level
• Lead the creation of a national LUTI (Land Use Transport Interaction) model to assess economic impacts across modes at a national level
• Link TASM’s modelling with our existing CGE (Computer General Equilibrium) model to capture wider economic impacts
• Develop clear analytical pipelines and documentation to help the Department explore how transport interacts with land use, productivity, and the wider economy

This role would suit someone who enjoys economic thinking, technical cross-modal understandings, and designing robust methodological frameworks.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person specification

We’re looking for people who bring passion, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. If you enjoy solving problems, thinking creatively, and working with colleagues from different backgrounds to deliver meaningful insights, you’ll fit right in. With your strong technical capabilities, you will drive change, improve how we model and analyse transport, clearly communicate impacts to a range of audiences, and confidently bring your own perspective to discussions.

A strong interest in programming and automation will really help you succeed, and we’re keen to support you in developing new skills that strengthen TASM’s analytical capability.

We know great analysis comes from teams with a wide mix of experiences. We welcome applications from people with strong skills in one or more of the following areas:

• Transport Modelling
• Operational Research
• Economics
• Data Engineering
• Data Science

The interview will be used to assess your suitability for accreditation to the DfT Transport Modelling profession, should you wish to have that as your core analytical profession. It’s a great way to build expertise and shape the future of modelling within the Department. Accredited Transport Modellers at this grade receive a £4,000 annual retention allowance.

You will have the expertise and practical experience in:

• Strong theoretical understanding in transport economics and appraisal, including supplementary economic modelling (CGE or LUTI modelling) and at least one of the followings: values of time, travel demand modelling, and agglomeration economics.
• Working with complex modelling systems and thinking creatively to solve problems, with clear understanding in the strengths and the weakness of data, modelling approach and result interpretation.
• Being proficient in applying programming skills and tools (ideally Python) with GIS knowledge to improve the efficiency of modelling practices, accelerate data manipulation and develop analysis processes.
• Effective analytical project management, including managing complexity (e.g. prioritisation of tasks, working with incomplete data sets) and ensuring appropriate and proportionate quality assurance checks are implemented.

Additional Information

You will be assessed against one of the following analytical professions depending on your current professional membership, or your preference of which to join. Please click on the links below for more information and qualification requirements:

• DfT Transport Modeller and Planner Skills Framework
• GES
• GORS
• Data Engineer

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work 30 hours per week. We can accommodate part time through job share.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, and therefore a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements. Hybrid working is a non-contractual arrangement where employees have the flexibility to work remotely combined with a minimum of 60% of their working time a month at either their principal workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, visiting stakeholders and colleagues, or carrying out detached duty in another DfT workplace. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

If you have questions regarding how hybrid working is practiced within the business area, or any reasonable adjustments or flexible working arrangements you may currently have or need in place if successful in your application, please contact the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details).

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• The elements that you'll be assessed against will depend on the profession you are currently part of or want to join. Please refer to the role profile for more information on the technical elements that you'll be assessed against.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,515, Department for Transport contributes £16,662 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement.

Stage 2: Interview and technical presentation

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

Stage 1: Sift

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (1000-word count). Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:

• Strong theoretical understanding in transport economics and appraisal, including supplementary economic modelling (CGE or LUTI modelling) and at least one of the followings: values of time, travel demand modelling, and agglomeration economics.
• Working with complex modelling systems and thinking creatively to solve problems, with clear understanding in the strengths and the weakness of data, modelling approach and result interpretation.
• Being proficient in applying programming skills and tools (ideally Python) with GIS knowledge to improve the efficiency of modelling practices, accelerate data manipulation and develop analysis processes.
• Effective analytical project management, including managing complexity (e.g. prioritisation of tasks, working with incomplete data sets) and ensuring appropriate and proportionate quality assurance checks are implemented.

The sift will take place week from 06th April 2026.

Stage 2: Interview and Technical Presentation

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• Behaviours - Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing.
• Technical - G7 level of your chosen profession.

You will be required to create and deliver a presentation during the interview. It will be assessed against the requirements at the G7 level of your chosen profession, as stated in your personal statement.

The interviews will take place week commencing 20th April 2026.

This interview will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).

Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.

Further information on the selection process

We will also hold a 12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.

During your application, you should indicate which location(s) you wish to be considered for and, if successful, you will be placed on an individual list of candidates for each location. Candidates will be held on that list and drawn from it in merit order. We advise you to carefully consider which locations you wish to be considered for. If you decline an offer for a location you have expressed a preference in or have expressed an interest in more than one location and accept an offer, you will be withdrawn from any lists you may be held on. We may also offer candidates a location that they have not expressed a preference for where we have the requirement to do so but this will again be done on the basis of your place in the overall merit order and, in this event, you will not be removed from the list if you decline.

Appointments for this position will be made in order of merit. If you are successful in the selection process but there are no further available posts for the advertised role, you may be contacted to discuss an offer for a lower graded role (with similar experience and responsibility requirements).

If you are unsuccessful in the selection process, your application may be considered for a lower graded position if your demonstrated skills and experience meet the requirements of the alternative position. Candidates will be considered in order of merit.

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit theHow We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

All External applicants and current employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) will be required to undergo a Social Media Check. A Social Media Check is a review of your publicly available online activity, typically across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and others. The purpose is to identify any public posts or content that could raise concerns for employers, such as:

Hate speech or discriminatory behaviour

Threats or acts of violence

Illegal activity or substance misuse

Sexually explicit material

Extremist views or affiliations

Importantly, this check does not involve hacking into your accounts or accessing private messages. It only considers content you have chosen to make public.

Employers use this kind of screening to help ensure their workplace remains safe, inclusive, and aligned with company values. It’s not about judging your personality or lifestyle—it’s about checking for potential red flags that might affect the role or company culture.

If you have questions or concerns about the social media check, we would be happy to explain in more detail what’s being looked at and how your data is handled securely and fairly.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Elliot Morgan
• Email : elliot.morgan@dft.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here

Attachments

Role Profile - Cross-Modal Economic Lead Opens in new window (pdf, 242kB)