Associate Director, Infrastructure Planning & DCO Leadership

Stantec Consulting International Ltd.; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Group income protection

Life assurance

Hybrid working

Flexible working

Job summary

Stantec is seeking an Associate Director for Infrastructure Planning in the UK. You will lead planning and consenting efforts on major projects, including DCOs, while managing client relationships and delivering across a nationwide portfolio.

You will guide multidisciplinary teams, advise on EIA and policy changes, and help win work through effective business development and thought leadership. This role emphasizes leadership, strategic insight, and regulatory knowledge.

Qualifications

• MRTPI qualification or equivalent, with significant experience in major infrastructure planning, consenting or energy projects.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

MRTPI qualification

Client relationship management

Project leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Degree in planning or related field

Job description

Stantec is seeking an Associate Director for Infrastructure Planning in the UK. You will lead planning and consenting efforts on major projects, including DCOs, while managing client relationships and delivering across a nationwide portfolio.

You will guide multidisciplinary teams, advise on EIA and policy changes, and help win work through effective business development and thought leadership. This role emphasizes leadership, strategic insight, and regulatory knowledge.