Lead Planning Consultant

TN United Kingdom; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a Principal Planning Consultant to join its market-leading planning team. This role offers the chance to work on groundbreaking projects in decarbonisation and renewable energy sectors, including hydrogen and battery storage. You will lead diverse planning projects, guiding a team to meet client objectives sustainably and responsibly. With flexible working arrangements and a commitment to safety and diversity, this position provides numerous opportunities for career advancement within a supportive environment. If you're passionate about driving the low carbon energy transition, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Generous leave

Pension contributions

Salary sacrifice schemes

Career development opportunities

Employee benefits

Qualifications

• Relevant Town Planning degree required for the role.
• Experience with DCOs and multidisciplinary planning projects is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning team through diverse projects in decarbonisation and renewable energy.
• Collaborate with EIA and Project Management teams to prepare EIAs and consenting applications.

Skills

EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment)

DCO (Development Consent Order)

Town Planning

Multidisciplinary Planning

Business Development

Education

Town Planning Degree

Licentiate/RTPI Qualification

Job description

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ERM is seeking a Principal Planning Consultant

Join 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, battery storage), and mining sectors, supporting ERM’s role in leading the low carbon energy transition. Notable projects include our own concept and Equinor’s H2H Saltend Blue Hydrogen project.

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

We are committed to a sustainable future and have operated the ERM Foundation since 1995. We encourage you to learn more about our initiatives.

We offer flexible working arrangements, including remote work options, generous leave, pension contributions, salary sacrifice schemes, career development opportunities, and various employee benefits. Our culture emphasizes safety, diversity, and inclusion, and provides numerous opportunities for career advancement through our global technical communities.

About you

You should hold a relevant Town Planning degree and have experience in similar roles, particularly with DCOs. A Licentiate/RTPI (or equivalent) qualification is required. You should understand EIA and multidisciplinary planning projects, with Scottish planning and consenting experience being essential. Experience in consultancy and renewables is preferred but not mandatory.