Lead Planning Consultant

ERM; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy, ERM, seeks a Principal Planning Consultant to join their planning team in Glasgow. The role involves managing innovative projects in decarbonisation and energy, leading planning efforts, and driving business growth while mentoring junior staff. With flexible working arrangements and a supportive culture, this is an opportunity to contribute to sustainable development efforts in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Wellness programs

Generous leave

Pension contributions

Promotion opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven track record in DCO projects.
• Experience in multidisciplinary planning projects.
• Scottish planning and consenting experience required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Planning team through diverse planning projects and deliverables.
• Prepare EIAs and consenting applications supported by specialists.
• Drive business development with clients and mentor junior team members.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Business development

Environmental impact assessment (EIA)

Education

Relevant Town Planning degree

Licentiate/RTPI qualification

Job description

ERM is seeking an experienced, highly motivated, and enthusiastic Principal Planning Consultant to join and lead our market-leading planning team on a hybrid basis from any of ERM’s 16 UK offices.

You will work on innovative projects in decarbonisation (hydrogen, CCUS), renewable energy (solar, onshore and offshore wind, hydrogen, and battery storage), and mining sectors, where ERM collaborates with clients to lead the low carbon energy transition. Projects include our own concept and Equinor’s H2H Saltend Blue Hydrogen project, among others.

You will work within various planning regimes (including NSIP/DCO, TCPA, s36 in Scotland, and DNS in Wales) to lead the Planning team through diverse planning projects and deliverables, helping clients meet their objectives in a safe, environmentally, and socially sustainable manner. Our Planning team collaborates with the established EIA and Project Management teams, and you will be involved in preparing EIAs and consenting applications supported by technical environmental specialists. You will also lead business development efforts with existing and new clients and contribute to the development of junior team members.

We are committed to building a sustainable future with leading organizations, supported by our ERM Foundation, operational since 1995. We encourage you to learn more about our initiatives and impact.

We offer flexible working arrangements to suit your lifestyle, including remote work options, generous leave, pension contributions, salary sacrifice schemes, promotion opportunities, and various employee benefits, including private medical insurance, life assurance, and wellness programs. Our culture emphasizes safety, diversity, and inclusion, and provides ample opportunities for career advancement through our global technical communities.

About you

You will have a relevant Town Planning degree and experience in similar roles, with a proven track record in DCO projects. You should be detail-oriented and interested in planning reports, with Licentiate/RTPI (or equivalent) qualification. An understanding of EIA and multidisciplinary planning projects is essential. Scottish planning and consenting experience is required, while consultancy and renewables experience are preferred but not essential.