Lead Planning Consultant

ERM; Harrogate; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consultancy is looking for a Principal Planning Consultant to join their team in the UK. The successful candidate will lead diverse projects in decarbonisation and renewable energy, ensuring environmental and social sustainability while fostering business development and mentoring junior staff. Flexible working options and competitive benefits are offered.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus public holidays

6% pension contribution

EV car salary sacrifice scheme

Biannual promotion opportunities

Annual salary reviews

Performance bonuses

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Income protection

Travel season ticket loans

Qualifications

• Proven track record of working on DCOs.
• Experience in consultancy and renewables is preferred.
• Scottish planning and consenting experience required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning team through diverse projects and deliverables.
• Assist in preparing EIAs and consenting applications.
• Contribute to the development of junior team members.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Planning reports preparation

Business development

Understanding of EIA

Multidisciplinary planning

Education

Relevant Town Planning degree

Licentiate/RTPI (or equivalent)

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 is helping clients lead the low carbon energy transition. Many projects are at the cutting edge, such as our own concept and Equinor’s H2H Saltend Blue Hydrogen project.

You will operate within various planning regimes (including NSIP/DCO, TCPA, s36 in Scotland, and DNS in Wales) to lead the planning team through diverse projects and deliverables that help clients meet their objectives safely, environmentally, and socially sustainably. Collaborating with our established EIA and Project Management teams, you will also assist in preparing EIAs and consenting applications supported by our skilled environmental specialists. You will lead business development efforts with existing and new clients and contribute to the development of junior team members.

At ERM, we are committed to building a sustainable future with leading organizations, and we believe change starts at home. Since 1995, we have operated the ERM Foundation. Take a look at what we do—you’ll be impressed.

We offer flexible working options to suit your lifestyle—whether you need to do the school run, prefer working from home, or love to travel with our Cross Border Remote Working scheme. Benefits include 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays, a 6% pension contribution, EV car salary sacrifice scheme, biannual promotion opportunities, annual salary reviews, performance bonuses, private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, employee assistance programs, volunteering and Give As You Earn initiatives, travel season ticket loans, premium Calm app subscriptions, Cycle2Work Scheme, and discounts on gym memberships and retail gift cards. We foster a Safety First, diverse, and inclusive culture where differences are valued and celebrated. With a robust career framework and over 20 technical communities of global experts, there are ample opportunities for career advancement at ERM.

About you

You will have a relevant Town Planning degree and experience in similar roles, with a proven track record of working on DCOs. You should be detail-oriented and interested in preparing planning reports, and be a Licentiate/RTPI (or equivalent) qualified Planner. An understanding of EIA and multidisciplinary planning projects is essential. Scottish planning and consenting experience is required. While consultancy and renewables experience are preferred, they are not mandatory.