Associate Director, Planning Policy

AECOM; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading planning consultancy in the UK is seeking an Associate Director experienced in planning policy and project management. You will manage key projects, provide leadership to the planning team, and engage with clients to secure successful planning outcomes. The position supports hybrid working across multiple UK locations, requiring a degree in Town Planning and relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Significant relevant experience in planning policy and strategy development.
• Strong client focus with good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to produce high-quality technical reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead on key planning policy projects and strategies.
• Manage the town planning team and provide mentorship.
• Ensure projects are delivered on budget and on time.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

High-quality report writing

Strategic planning

Project management

Education

Degree in Town Planning

Job description

Overview

This role is for an Associate Director with proven experience in planning policy and strategy and project management. You will lead and manage planning policy projects, work with multi-disciplinary teams, and engage with clients and stakeholders to secure successful planning outcomes. The position supports hybrid working and can be based in London Aldgate, Basingstoke, Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge, Chesterfield, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, or Plymouth, on a full-time or part-time basis.

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.
  • Represent the organisation by developing and managing relationships with clients, local authorities and other stakeholders through project work and attendance 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

• Experience
  • Significant relevant experience of leading and contributing to planning policy and strategy development in a consultancy or public sector role.
• Client & Stakeholder Relations
  • Client focus, with good interpersonal skills and a collaborative working approach.
  • Existing relationships with clients and local authorities.
  • A business development mindset, with demonstrable experience of work winning and developing relationships with existing and new clients.
• Skills
  • Ability to produce high quality technical reports and excellent communication skills.
  • Ability to work on your own initiative and under pressure.
• Quality & Commitment
  • High level of commitment to quality.
• Education & Professional Memberships
  • Degree in Town Planning or a related discipline, and membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or equivalent professional body.

About our team

AECOM is a planning consultancy size leader in the UK with a broad portfolio of major projects across public and private sectors. We work closely with colleagues in related disciplines, including masterplanning, landscape, environment, sustainability, transport and economics. Our project work includes sub-regional growth studies, local plans, strategic masterplans and neighbourhood planning, among others.

Additional Information

We celebrate diversity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds and abilities. If you require accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us at [e-mail]. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and offer a Disability Confident Interview Scheme for eligible applicants. All information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.