Principal Network Manager

Key Information

Job title: Principal Network Manager

Salary: £57,623      Grade: Band 3

Contract type: TfL     Reference: 3248

Team: Network Performance Delivery     Directorate: Chief Operating Officer

Contract details: Full-time                         Location: Southwark, London SE1, with Hybrid working
Hybrid working within this role enables a balance of 50 per cent of time split between the office and home over a 4-week period. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements

Application closing date: 28 January 2026 at 2359

Overview of project/role

TfL’s Network Performance Delivery (NPD) sits at the heart of keeping London moving. We’re responsible for monitoring and improving the performance of TfL’s road and bus networks, using data-driven insights and innovative traffic management solutions. From optimizing traffic signals and reducing congestion to enhancing bus journey times and supporting major projects like Superloop, NPD plays a critical role in ensuring reliability and efficiency across the capital. Working closely with other TfL teams, we combine technical expertise with strategic thinking to deliver improvements that make a real difference for millions of daily journeys.

As a Principal Network Manager, you’ll take the lead in shaping how London’s roads perform every day. You’ll design, maintain, and enhance traffic and pedestrian strategies that keep the city moving, using cutting-edge tools like Urban Traffic Control (UTC), SCOOT, and advanced traffic modelling software such as LINSIG, TRANSYT, and VISSIM. Your work will span everything from developing and commissioning signal schemes to auditing and approving timings that align with the Mayor’s Transport Strategy. You’ll also play a key part in creating network strategies, supporting real-time road management, and advising on schemes that transform London’s streets. While the role covers a broad range of responsibilities, there’s scope to specialise in areas that match your expertise and interests.

Key Accountabilities

Your duties will include, but not be limited to:

• Lead and support Network Performance Officers, Network Managers, Graduates and Technicians, providing technical assurance and guidance
• Plan, design and implement Urban Traffic Control (UTC) and local signal strategies, including Bus Priority and emerging technologies
• Develop and approve UTC specifications, detector layouts, database builds and signal timings for new and modified installations, ensuring safe and efficient operation in line with the Mayor’s Transport Strategy
• Enhance UTC systems through advanced SCOOT techniques such as SASS and Gating to support major programmes and schemes
• Provide network management input during scheme design, consultation and implementation phases, including auditing traffic models and advising external clients in line with TfL’s Model Audit Process
• Deliver operational support by designing and implementing UTC strategies in the Control Centre to manage incidents and planned or unplanned events, with flexibility for occasional out-of-hours coverage
• Review and optimise traffic signal timings using modelling tools such as TRANSYT/TranEd, LinSig and VISSIM to ensure efficient network performance
• Respond to enquiries from the Mayor of London, GLA members, MPs, Councillors and the public

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Skills

• Excellent numeracy with the ability to analyse engineering data (Essential)
• Willingness to work outside normal office hours including occasional weekend and night work (Essential)
• Proficient with MS Office (Highly desirable)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (Highly desireable)
• Possession of a full and current driving licence with the willingness to drive a TfL fleet vehicles (Desirable)
• Able to impart knowledge to others (Highly desirable)

Knowledge

• Expert knowledge of Urban Traffic Control and local control techniques including SCOOT, Bus Priority, VA and other advanced techniques (Essential)
• Expert working knowledge and understanding of relevant modelling tools including LinSig, TRANSYT and VISSIM (Essential)
• Expert knowledge, experience and understanding of signal control philosophies (Essential)
• Knowledge of traffic signal controller specification (Essential)
• Chartered or incorporated engineer or equivalent with relevant experience (Desirable)
• Knowledge of the New Roads & Street Works Act (Desirable)
• Knowledge of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations (Desirable)

Experience

• Experience in the management of projects in accordance with agreed timescales (Highly desirable)
• Successful completion of the Traffic Control Engineer graduate scheme, relevant degree or industry experience in traffic engineering (Desirable)

Application Process

• Please apply using your CV and a one-page covering letter
• Think carefully about the skills, knowledge and experience in the advert and cover this in your CV and cover letter
• PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. We also use anonymising software that removes identifying information from CVs and cover letters to make the process fair.

Benefits

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the level of role but mostly include the below:

• Final salary pension scheme
• Free travel for you on the TfL network
• Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home or 75% reimbursement on a 28-day flexi ticket
• 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
• TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow
• Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional)
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
• Retail, health, leisure and travel offers
• Discounted Eurostar travel

We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice.