2026 Graduate Scheme - Planning

CBRE; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading real estate services firm in the UK is offering a Graduate Programme for Planners & Development Surveyors. Over a 24-month period, candidates will work on diverse projects, gaining knowledge and practical experience in planning and development. Key requirements include being a forward-thinking individual with strong communication skills. A competitive salary of £29,000 - £31,000 + benefits is offered.

Benefits

Dedicated learning and development team

Employee discounts

25 days holiday + 2 at Christmas

Private health care

Yearly salary reviews

Discretionary bonus

Qualifications

• Cognate students need RTPI accredited degree or master's conversion course.
• Non-Cognate students must study towards RTPI/RICS accredited master.
• Must have the right to work in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Participate in planning reviews interpreting policies.
• Production of due diligence reports.
• Collaborate on various projects within planning and development.

Skills

Attention to detail

Good time management

Self-motivated

Communication skills

MS Office skills

Education

RTPI Accredited Degree

2:1 Minimum Academic Achievement

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

MS Outlook

MS PowerPoint

Job description

2026 Graduate Scheme - Planning

Job ID 234414

Posted 01-Sep-2025

Service line Advisory Segment

Role type Full-time

Areas of Interest Interns/Graduate/Apprentice, Graduate

Location(s) Birmingham - England - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Edinburgh - Scotland - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Leeds - England - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, London - England - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Manchester - England - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Graduate Planners & Development Surveyors

Closing Date - 26th October 2025

£29,000 - £31,000 + benefits (depending on location)

In joining CBRE’s Next Generation Cohort, you will be shaping the future of Real Estate. You will have excellent training and mentoring from industry experts and specialists, who will share invaluable knowledge and experience with you. You will be a part of a wider cohort of like-minded young professionals who you will develop with in your career. We give you the opportunity to work on world class projects, with an unmatched portfolio of clients, so that you gain the knowledge, skills and ability to become the future leaders and our Next Generation of CBRE.

About the Opportunity

Through this 24 month scheme, you will find yourself working on projects that span across the UK. This gives great scope to gain a wide range of experiences, working on different types of projects, in different sectors. The UK Planning & Development team works collaboratively across the CBRE business providing opportunities to work alongside and learn about the wider real estate business.

The Graduate Planning pathway supports both Cognate (RTPI Accredited Town Planning and RICS accredited Real Estate Graduates) and Non Cognate (Undergraduate, including those Undergraduates with the opportunity to study towards a Town Planning Masters or RICS Accredited Real Estate Masters (depending on pathway) through a day release programme).

Options Available:

Birmingham, London and Manchester – To become a fully qualified Chartered Town Planner (member of the RTPI).

What You’ll Do

· Participate in planning reviews and interpret planning policies and legislation.

· Production of Due diligence reports to assess potential constraints and opportunities of various projects.

· Carry out detailed site appraisals to analyse site conditions, suitability, and potential development constraints against planning policy and legislation.

· Assist in the formulation of strategies on planning submissions, ensuring compliance with planning policies and regulations.

· Collaborate with a diverse team of professionals on a variety of projects, contributing to strategic planning and project management.

· Monitor and report on the progress of projects and planning applications, ensuring timelines, budgets, and quality standards are met.

· Engage with stakeholders, including clients, local authorities, and the community, to gather input and maintain open lines of communication

· Shape policy frameworks, through supporting the production of Regeneration Frameworks, and prepare representations to policy consultations.

· As part of an integrated, multi-disciplinary ‘planning’ team you will be gaining experience in complex planning applications, development promotion, development viability and regeneration and economics

· Providing trusted advice to domestic and international clients to deliver exceptional outcomes, through commercially-focused planning solutions that drive value and growth

· To maximise learning, we ask all of our next generation cohort to be in the office on each of their working days

· You may from time to time be required to work additional hours as are necessary

Birmingham & Manchester – To become a fully qualified Chartered Planning & Development Surveyor (member of the RICS).

What You’ll Do

• As part of an integrated, multi-disciplinary ‘planning and development’ team you will be gaining experience in complex planning applications, development promotion, development viability, public funding, regeneration and economics.
• Shape policy frameworks, through supporting the production of Regeneration and Development Framework Strategies, and prepare representations to policy consultations.
• Assemble and work with multi-disciplinary professional teams to complete feasibility studies, options appraisals, business cases and public funding bids.
• Analyse funding, delivery and disposal options for public sector land.
• Prepare financial appraisal modelling, gap funding analysis, financial viability assessments and S106 affordable housing, CIL and planning obligations advice.
• Undertake financial modelling for strategic sites, regeneration projects and new settlements.
• Prepare overage, clawback and financial review mechanisms, analysis and advice.
• Undertake economic impact assessments and affordable housing need and demand analysis for new development projects.
• Undertake site inspections, client, stakeholder and project meetings.
• Prepare oral and written client advice, presentations and reporting.
• Take day-to-day financial and management responsibility for projects.
• Providing trusted advice to domestic and international clients to deliver exceptional outcomes, through commercially-focused planning and development solutions that drive value and growth
• To maximise learning, we ask all of our next generation cohort to be in the office on each of their working days
• You may from time to time be required to work additional hours as are necessary

What You’ll Need

• A forward-thinking and enthusiastic individual with a passion for real estate, the built-environment and regeneration
• Self-motivated with good written, numerate and verbal communication skills
• Strong work ethic and proactive with a positive attitude
• Attention to detail, accuracy and good time management
• Cognate students will need a RTPI accredited degree or a RTPI accredited masters conversion course (achieved or on track for a 2:1 minimum)
• Non-Cognate students from any degree discipline are welcomed to apply (achieved or on track for a 2:1 minimum) with a requirement to study towards an RTPI/RICS (as appropriate) accredited masters conversion through a fully funded day release programme.
• Good MS Office skills including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint*
• The successful candidate must, by the commencement of employment, have the right to work in the UK.
• A valid driving license (regional offices only)*

Not an essential requirement for the role, but desired

The Application process

• Online job-focused testing
• Phone screening
• Assessment Centre (held in December or January)
• Interview

Benefits

• Dedicated learning and development team
• Employee discounts
• 25 days holiday + 2 at Christmas
• Private health care
• Yearly salary reviews and discretionary bonus
• Plus many more…

Why CBRE

When you join CBRE, you become part of the global leader in commercial real estate services and investment that helps businesses and people thrive. We are dynamic problem solvers and forward-thinking professionals who create significant impact. Our collaborative culture is built on our shared values — respect, integrity, service and excellence — and we value the diverse perspectives, backgrounds and skillsets of our people. At CBRE, you have the opportunity to chart your own course and realize your potential. We welcome all applicants.

Applicant AI Use Disclosure

We value human interaction to understand each candidate's unique experience, skills and aspirations. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make hiring decisions, and we ask that candidates disclose any use of AI in the application and interview process.

CBRE, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer (Women/Minorities/Persons with Disabilities/US Veterans)