Planner - Associate Director

Planner - Associate Director

Salary is DOE

Chester/Manchester/Hybrid

Hybrid, 3 days in the office

They are one of the market leading planning and environmental consultancies in UK infrastructure and renewable energy development. The company is currently engaged in four DCO projects, together with a variety of other large scale development projects including hydrogen projects, carbon capture and storage, renewable energy, transport, and major industrial and commercial development.

They work for some of the UK’s largest and most prestigious companies and has been responsible for some of the UK’s first and most innovative developments, including the UK’s first Carbon Capture and Usage facility. Our success allows us to maintain a very strong order book, including multiple opportunities for National Infrastructure projects.

Consequently, we are keen to appoint a planning consultant with a demonstrable track record and understanding of DCO projects and other major infrastructure and/or renewable energy development.

You will be joining a market leading, experienced infrastructure planning / environmental team and will, be given the following responsibilities:

• Leading development consent applications for major infrastructure projects
• Leading other development planning work and providing authoritative planning advice to colleagues and clients
• Collaborative working, devising and managing programmes and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams
• Leading business development activities and bids for major projects
• Leading and managing projects from opportunity to delivery
• Taking financial responsibility for projects from inception through to completion
• Liaising and cultivating good relationships with clients, colleagues, and fellow professionals
• Remaining informed about documents relating to planning policy and practice

This is a great opportunity to progress your career, working on a diverse portfolio of major projects for prestigious clients alongside the very best UK planning professionals.

Must Haves

• Proven track record of playing a key role in successful development consent applications under the Town and County Planning Act 1990 and Planning Act 2008
• Relevant degree and full Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or an equivalent professional town planning organisation
• A thorough understanding of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and its relationship with the development consent process
• Ability to work on own initiative and deliver high quality work to-programme and within budget
• Client and colleague relationship-focused with good interpersonal skills and collaborative working approach
• Excellent report drafting skills and the ability to write clearly concisely and confidently with minimal assistance or overview
• Competent in the use of the Microsoft Office suite of programmes

Qualities & attributes

• Ambitious and highly motivated, with an interest for working in the landscape planning sector
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to work collaboratively
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills, including in project management and the essential commercial aspects of consultancy work
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and AutoCAD, with knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud and GIS being desirable
• Attention to detail and ability to work with accuracy to support the preparation of relevant documents
• Flexibility and willingness to travel across the UK, as the position involves travel
• A UK driving licence is an essential requirement
• Working towards chartership with the Landscape Institute is desirable, and candidates will have the opportunity to work with LI Pathway to Chartership mentors

Qualities & attributes

Candidates should be able to meet the following minimum requirements:

• Proven track record of playing a key role in successful development consent applications under the Town and County Planning Act 1990 and Planning Act 2008
• Relevant degree and full Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or an equivalent professional town planning organisation
• A thorough understanding of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and its relationship with the development consent process
• Ability to work on own initiative and deliver high quality work to-programme and within budget
• Client and colleague relationship-focused, with good interpersonal skills and collaborative working approach
• Excellent report drafting skills and the ability to write clearly, concisely and confidently with minimal assistance or overview
• Competent in the use of the Microsoft Office suite of programmes

Preferred experience and attributes:

• Experience working in the private sector in multi-disciplinary consents team environments
• Experience working on large or complex development projects
• Proven work winner and full project life cycle management experience

What you’ll get back

Our client provides great opportunities for career progression, highly competitive salaries, annual bonuses, and a range of working benefits including pension contributions, private healthcare, and payment of professional fees.

We have become adept at flexible working and support people wanting to work from home for part of the time, as well as from our offices in Chester (Bretton) and Manchester (Wilmslow). We recognise the importance of a healthy work-life balance amongst all our colleagues and regularly review our ways of working to improve this. We hold regular social events each year and care about our culture.

To secure our long-term future as an independent consultancy, we’ve recently become an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). The company is managed in the interests of all colleagues and there are specific benefits associated with Trust status including tax free bonuses. You’ll be able to take an active part in the life of the company from day one.

Additional Benefits:

• Bonuses - discretionary EOT - Employee ownership trust - first 3.5k
• Private healthcare
• Enhanced maternity/Paternity Pension scheme - salary sacrifice,
• Cycle to work scheme