Planning Advisor

National Trust; Ballynahinch; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Discounts for gym memberships and shopping

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Job summary

A heritage conservation organization is seeking a lead planner to support planning matters across Northern Ireland. This role involves providing expert advice on local spatial planning and tackling planning challenges related to infrastructure and development of sites. The ideal candidate will have significant knowledge of the Northern Ireland Planning Act and a chartered Town Planner qualification. The organization offers a hybrid working model with a competitive benefits package, emphasizing an inclusive culture.

Qualifications

• Significant practical knowledge of regional planning context.
• Experience in major infrastructure, transport planning, or policy development.
• Understanding of current land use and planning legislation.
• Understanding wider land use planning legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning matters across Northern Ireland and provide expert advice.
• Influence major external infrastructure and third-party projects.
• Ensure sustainable development of National Trust sites.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to safeguard and enhance National Trust places.

Skills

Knowledge of Northern Ireland Planning Act

Planning expertise (urban or rural)

Analytical and resolution skills on planning issues

Strong communication and relationship building

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic horizon scanning

Communication

Education

Chartered Town Planner qualification

Job description

Overview

At the National Trust we care for places of historic interest and natural beauty for everyone, for ever. We provide access to more land in Northern Ireland, England and Wales than any other private landowner. We understand the importance of influencing the planning system at local, regional and national levels in accordance with our statutory purpose, in order to safeguard our special places, whilst also regarding conservation as the careful management of change. Effective planning and land management is at the heart of everything we do. Our properties are under increasing pressure from competing land uses, and we have an important role to play in promoting an integrated approach to sustainable development.

What it’s like to work here

As part of the wider National Trust Specialist Delivery team and as one of a multi-disciplinary team of experts, including curators, building surveyors and project managers, you’ll be working collaboratively with others to support delivery of our strategic priorities. We want to build on our existing work to bring benefit to more people in ways that are meaningful and relevant through working in partnership for shared outcomes.

This role covers Northern Ireland, and so your contractual place of work will be the regional hub office at Rowallane Garden, Saintfield, County Down. Our hybrid working policy means you can balance office and home working with site visits and meetings at and beyond National Trust places. We’ll talk about this in more detail at interview, but you should expect to be at a National Trust site for 40–60% of your working week.

What you'll be doing

Acting as the lead on all planning matters across Northern Ireland, you’ll provide expert advice on everything from local spatial planning, development management and land management, as well as policy-related work. You will be able to tackle a wide range of planning challenges facing our places, from influencing major external infrastructure and third-party development projects to the sensitive development of our own sites to sustain their future. With your proven experience colleagues will look to you for in-depth, up-to-the-minute advice and guidance. Like everyone here, you’ll relish the challenge of helping more and more people to enjoy our special places and spaces, and to safeguard them for everyone, for ever.

Who we're looking for

Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:

• Significant practical knowledge of the Northern Ireland Planning Act, SPPS and regional planning context
• An experienced planner (either urban or rural planning) with broader knowledge and experience across at least one of the following areas: major infrastructure, transport planning, policy development, environmental issues, landscape or heritage.
• Adept at analysing, resolving and preparing positions or advice on planning issues and able to influence positive outcomes across decision-making and policy creation.
• Understanding of what’s happening in the wider world of land use and planning, including relevant legislation.

Additional criteria for all other applicants

• A chartered Town Planner (or with eligibility for full membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute)
• A flexible thinker and problem-solver, skilled at negotiating and building productive networks, and confident in using your expertise to influence decisions
• Ability to bring strategic oversight; to horizon scan and identify risks and opportunities
• A skilled communicator, who can build strong relationships within diverse teams, both internally and externally, translating complex matters to diverse audiences.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.