Planning & Consents Manager - Renewable Energy

Climate17; Leeds; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A renewable energy project developer in Leeds seeks an experienced Planning & Consents Manager to oversee the successful delivery of solar and low-carbon projects across the UK. The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record in securing consents for renewable energy schemes, strong knowledge of UK planning legislation, and excellent communication skills. This role comes with a salary of £55,000–£70,000 and offers extensive benefits including private medical insurance and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Life Assurance

25 days holiday plus public holidays

8% employer pension contribution

Performance-related bonus

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Proven track record securing consents for renewable energy schemes, ideally solar.
• Strong understanding of UK planning legislation, national policy, and local plan frameworks.
• Comprehensive EIA experience from screening/scoping through to reviewing Environmental Statements.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with teams to identify suitable search areas for projects.
• Lead the submission and negotiation of planning applications.
• Engage proactively with stakeholders including landowners and regulators.

Skills

Proven track record securing consents for renewable energy schemes

Strong understanding of UK planning legislation

Comprehensive EIA experience

Competent with GIS or mapping tools

Strong communication skills

Education

Degree in Town Planning, Environmental Science, or similar

RTPI-accredited or equivalent expertise

Tools

QGIS

ArcGIS

Job description

Our client is a developer of renewable energy projects in the UK, specialising in origination and development, through to financing, operation, and maintenance. They are seeking an experienced Planning & Consents Manager to drive the successful delivery of solar and low‑carbon infrastructure projects across the UK. This is a rare opportunity to influence projects from early site identification through to planning consent while also supporting wider business growth in a company with ambition, pace, and purpose.

Key Responsibilities

Site Identification & Feasibility

• Collaborate with Land and Grid teams to identify suitable search areas.
• Screen and appraise sites, producing feasibility assessments and planning risk reviews.
• Feed planning insights into wider investment and business development decisions.

Planning & Design Integration

• Advise engineering colleagues on planning policy, environmental constraints, and site‑specific risks.
• Help optimise project layouts to balance technical, environmental, and planning considerations.

Project Management

• Lead planning programmes, budgets, and resource planning.
• Commission and manage specialist consultants, reviewing their outputs to ensure quality, proportionality, and deliverability.

Stakeholder & Community Engagement

• Engage proactively with landowners, LPAs, statutory consultees, and communities.
• Represent the company at public exhibitions, industry forums, and meetings with regulators.
• Communicate planning arguments and project benefits clearly and persuasively.

Planning Applications & Documentation

• Lead the submission, negotiation, and determination of planning applications.
• Manage conditions, variations, and NMAs to progress projects toward construction readiness.
• Prepare or oversee key planning deliverables.

Internal Collaboration

• Support land engagement, lease negotiations, and cross‑functional delivery planning.
• Ensure alignment across teams to achieve cohesive and successful project outcomes.

About You

• Proven track record securing consents for renewable energy schemes, ideally solar.
• Strong understanding of UK planning legislation, national policy, and local plan frameworks.
• Comprehensive EIA experience from screening/scoping through to reviewing Environmental Statements.
• Confident managing conditions, NMAs, and planning obligations.
• Competent with GIS or mapping tools (QGIS, ArcGIS, etc.).
• Degree in Town Planning, Environmental Science, or similar (or equivalent experience).
• RTPI‑accredited or working towards accreditation (or extensive time‑served expertise).

• A proactive “developer mindset” focused on solutions and delivery.
• Strategic thinker with strong commercial awareness.
• Comfortable navigating complexity, challenging assumptions, and driving progress.
• Strong communicator with the confidence to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Willing to travel to project sites, including occasional overnight stays.

Rewards & Benefits

• £55,000–£70,000 annual salary (dependent on experience)
• 25 days holiday public holidays
• Private medical insurance (including immediate family)
• Life Assurance
• 8% employer pension contribution
• Specsavers eyecare scheme
• Performance‑related bonus
• Flexible working arrangements.

If you’re a motivated planning professional looking to take on a high‑impact role shaping the UK’s renewable energy future, we’d love to hear from you.

About Us

Climate17 is a purpose‑led, international Renewable Energy & Sustainability recruitment firm. We provide specialist talent acquisition services to organisations seeking to reduce their environmental footprint, as well as those working towards the decarbonisation of the energy sector.

Inclusive Application Process

Climate17 is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We believe there is no solution to climate change without people. We aim to increase diversity across all areas and as such, we are committed to partnering with clients and candidates to create an inclusive and sustainable regenerative world.