Associate / Associate Director - Infrastructure Planning

Stantec; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Competitive salary

Bonus schemes

Enhanced pension

Private medical insurance

Training and development

Gym membership discounts

Job summary

Stantec is seeking an Associate Director – Infrastructure Planning in the UK. You will lead the planning and consenting elements of major projects, including DCOs, and provide strategic advice across lifecycles. The role requires building strong client relationships and mentoring multidisciplinary teams.

You will work within a national team, travel as needed, and contribute to business growth while staying current with policy changes and new regimes.

Qualifications

• MRTPI qualification or equivalent.
• Proven track record of leading and managing complex planning projects, including DCOs.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning and infrastructure consenting landscape.
• Experience providing strategic planning and consenting advice to clients.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusted client relationships.
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage complex workloads and priorities.
• Proactive, commercially aware with a results-driven approach.
• Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience mentoring, supporting or leading professionals.
• Willingness to travel nationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and consenting elements of major infrastructure projects, including DCOs.
• Provide strategic planning, consenting and EIA advice across the project lifecycle.
• Manage complex projects to programme, budget and quality.
• Act as a trusted adviser to clients and develop long-term relationships.
• Lead project teams and collaborate across planning, EIA and other disciplines.
• Support business development with proposals and client presentations.
• Provide technical leadership and mentor less experienced colleagues.
• Stay up-to-date with planning policy and consenting regimes.
• Travel nationally to support projects and clients.

Skills

Project management

Leadership & mentoring

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Communication

Education

MRTPI qualification or equivalent

Job description

We are recruiting for an Associate Director – Infrastructure Planning. Are you an experienced infrastructure planner looking to play a leading role in some of the UK's most significant infrastructure projects?

Our Infrastructure Planning team specialises in the planning, assessment and consenting of large‑scale infrastructure projects across the UK. We provide strategic planning and EIA advice and manage consenting processes for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) under the Planning Act 2008, Developments of National Significance (DNS) in Wales and Section 36 Electricity Act projects in Scotland.

As an Associate Director, you'll play a key leadership role in delivering complex projects across a range of infrastructure sectors, while developing strong client relationships and supporting the continued growth of our national Infrastructure Planning team.

The team operates nationally, with current project experience spanning renewable and low‑carbon energy, solar, airports, ports, nuclear and highways.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced infrastructure planning professional with a strong understanding of major infrastructure consenting regimes, particularly Development Consent Orders (DCOs), to take a leading role in high‑profile projects and help shape the future of UK infrastructure.

About The Role:

You’ll work as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team, providing strategic planning and consenting advice to clients across the UK.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the planning and consenting elements of major infrastructure projects, including DCOs and other relevant consenting regimes.
• Providing strategic planning, consenting and EIA advice throughout the project lifecycle.
• Managing complex planning projects, ensuring delivery to programme, budget and quality requirements.
• Acting as a trusted adviser to clients and developing strong, long‑term client relationships.
• Leading project teams and working collaboratively with colleagues across planning, EIA and other technical disciplines.
• Supporting business development activities, including identifying opportunities, preparing proposals and contributing to client presentations.
• Providing technical leadership and mentoring less experienced colleagues.
• Keeping up to date with changes to planning policy, legislation and consenting regimes.
• Working nationally and travelling as required to support projects, clients and teams.

Your Impact:

You’ll have the opportunity to influence some of the UK's most important infrastructure projects, helping clients navigate complex planning and consenting processes and delivering solutions that support sustainable growth.

You’ll contribute to the continued growth and development of our Infrastructure Planning capability, while working alongside experienced planners, environmental specialists and technical experts across a truly multidisciplinary consultancy.

At Associate Director level, you’ll also play an important role in developing our people, strengthening client relationships and supporting our ambitious growth plans across the UK & Ireland.

About You:

We're looking for an experienced infrastructure planning professional who combines strong technical knowledge with the confidence to lead projects, build relationships and support business growth.

You’ll have:

• MRTPI qualification or equivalent, with significant experience in major infrastructure planning, consenting or energy projects.
• A proven track record of leading and managing complex planning projects, including DCOs or other major infrastructure consenting regimes.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the UK planning and infrastructure consenting landscape.
• Experience providing strategic planning and consenting advice to clients.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage complex workloads, programmes and competing priorities.
• A proactive, commercially aware and results-oriented approach.
• The ability to work independently while also contributing effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience mentoring, supporting or leading other professionals.
• A willingness to travel nationally as required.

Why Join Us:

• We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
• We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024.
• We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.
• We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups)
• Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK & Ireland - we want you to be part of it!
• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.
• Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.