Associate Director - Infrastructure Planning

Stantec Consulting International Ltd.; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Stantec Consulting International Ltd. seeks an Associate Director – Infrastructure Planning to lead major UK infrastructure projects, delivering strategic planning and consenting advice.

You will build strong client relationships, mentor colleagues and drive growth of our national Infrastructure Planning capability across energy, highways, ports and airports.

Qualifications

• MRTPI qualification or equivalent with substantial experience in major infrastructure planning.
• 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 ability to build trusted client relationships.
• Strong project management skills with ability to manage complex workloads and priorities.
• Willingness to travel nationally.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Business development

Mentoring

Travel nationally

Education

MRTPI qualification

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