Associate Director, Planning Policy

AECOM; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK planning consultancy is seeking an Associate Director to manage key planning policy projects. This role requires proven experience in planning policy and project management, with a strong focus on delivering high-quality work. You will lead multi-disciplinary teams and engage with clients to secure successful outcomes. The position offers flexible hours and can be based in various UK offices, including Nottingham.

Benefits

Hybrid working arrangements

Mentorship opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant relevant experience in planning policy and strategy development.
• Client focus with collaborative working approach.
• Ability to produce high-quality technical reports.
• Membership of the RTPI or equivalent professional body.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the operation and management of the planning team.
• Lead key planning policy projects and strategic planning advice.
• Ensure successful project delivery on budget and timelines.
• Oversee quality assurance and compliance in project deliverables.
• Nurture client relationships and lead commercial tenders.

Skills

Leadership skills

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Strategic planning

Education

Degree in Town Planning or related discipline

Job description

Overview

In planning policy project wins and new opportunities, we are looking to bring in an Associate Director to work with the leadership team in managing our growing workload. We are seeking a leader with proven experience in planning policy and strategy and project management. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic thinker with strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to delivering high-quality work and driving business growth. You will manage key planning policy projects, working alongside multi-disciplinary teams and engaging directly with clients and stakeholders to secure successful planning outcomes. This role can be based in any of the following offices, with AECOM fully supporting hybrid working: London Aldgate, Basingstoke, Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge, Chesterfield, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, and Plymouth. This position is available on either a full-time or part-time basis, allowing us to tailor the role to suit your individual circumstances.

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership and Development: Participate in the successful operation and management of the town planning team; provide line management and mentorship to junior team members.
• Planning Strategy and Expertise: Lead on key planning policy projects, including supporting local authority policy and strategy development, coordination and delivery of local plan evidence studies, strategic growth studies, infrastructure strategies and other policy and strategy commissions; offer strategic planning advice to other client and internal teams; provide effective representation for the organisation, developing and managing relationships with clients, local authorities and other stakeholders through project work and at conferences and networking events; share technical knowledge and excellence.
• Project Management: Ensure projects are delivered successfully on budget and within programme timelines; coordinate multi-disciplinary teams for seamless project execution.
• Quality Assurance and Compliance: Oversee the deliverables produced by the planning policy team; implement and uphold quality assurance and health and safety principles.
• Business Development: Play a significant role in the business development strategy, nurturing client relationships; lead the preparation of commercial tenders to secure new opportunities.

Qualifications

• Significant relevant experience of leading and contributing to planning policy and strategy development in a consultancy or public sector role.
• Client focus with good interpersonal skills and a collaborative working approach; existing relationships with clients and local authorities; business development mindset with demonstrable experience of work winning and developing relationships with existing and new clients.
• Ability to produce high-quality technical reports and excellent communication skills; ability to work on your own initiative and under pressure; high level of commitment to quality.
• Degree in Town Planning or a related discipline, and membership of the RTPI or equivalent professional body.

About AECOM

AECOM is a top ten UK planning consultancy by size, employing more than 70 Chartered or Licentiate Planners. We project a range of large, complex development and regeneration projects in the UK for public and private sector clients, working with masterplanning, landscape, environment, sustainability, transport and economics disciplines. We welcome diverse applicants and offer hybrid working arrangements.