Planning & Land Manager (Major Projects)

Kelda Group Limited 0000411940 - Kelda Group Limited; Bradford; Hybrid; GBP 64,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility company is seeking a Planning and Land Manager to join their Land and Property team. This role involves overseeing planning, land rights, and stakeholder engagements for large infrastructure projects in Bradford. Ideal candidates will have relevant professional memberships and experience securing planning permission. The company offers hybrid working opportunities along with a competitive salary and extensive benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive salary up to £64,000

Company car lease/allowance scheme

Annual incentive related bonus

Private health care

Attractive pension scheme

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Health cash plan and insurance benefits

Gym membership discounts

Qualifications

• Professional membership of RTPI and/or RICS required.
• Experience in securing planning permission for major projects is necessary.
• Knowledge of legal requirements for planning applications is essential.
• Strong negotiation skills are critical.

Responsibilities

• Lead town planning and land rights acquisition advice.
• Manage stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Provide strategic planning advice for major projects.

Skills

Professional membership of RTPI and/or RICS

Proven experience securing planning permission and/or land rights

Strong negotiation skills

Strong customer service abilities

Strong IT skills

Ability to work under pressure

Flexibility for hybrid working

Education

Degree in Planning, Geography, or related field

Job description

Overview

Planning and Land Manager (Major Projects)

We are seeking a Planning and Land Manager to join the Land and Property team at Yorkshire Water to help provide excellent service to customers. This role focuses on planning, land rights, and stakeholder engagement for major infrastructure projects.

Location

Bradford / Hybrid Working (one to two office days per week; travel to sites, consultants’ offices or stakeholders across Yorkshire may be required from time to time).

Work type

Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

What you will do

• Lead the town planning and land rights acquisition advice for Strategic Resource Options (SRO); instruct and manage external consultants; deliver customer service and minimise risks and costs to the business.
• Lead the stakeholder engagement strategy for planning and land rights processes and interfaces with other project team members.
• Provide strategic town planning advice (including Development Consent Orders/Town and Country Planning applications) to support delivery of SRO major projects and mitigate planning risk.
• Provide strategic land rights acquisition advice (including statutory powers, CPO and DCO) to minimise risks and costs in securing land rights.
• Instruct and manage inputs from external planning and land acquisition consultants; monitor performance and value for money.
• Coordinate with YW project teams, design/construction partners, local authorities, stakeholders and landowners/agents to secure planning permission and land rights for SRO projects.
• Provide input into reports for RAPID Gated Process and regulator requests (e.g., OFWAT).
• Review planning and land rights documents to ensure alignment with business processes and reporting.
• Collaborate with project managers and construction partners to progress projects on programme and on budget; capture risks and mitigations in the Risk Register.
• Provide strategic advice on biodiversity net gain (BNG) implementation for SRO projects with supporting ecology resources.
• Maintain high standards of Health & Safety, Risk Management and conduct in line with Yorkshire Water policies.

What skills & qualifications you will need

• Professional membership of RTPI and/or RICS.
• Proven experience securing planning permission and/or land rights for major infrastructure projects.
• Knowledge of legal/regulatory requirements for planning applications and land rights (including CPO, DCO, and Town and Country Planning Act) and Yorkshire Water Code of Practice.
• Track record delivering results against targets with strong negotiation skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders; strong customer service.
• Ability to prioritise and adapt to evolving project needs; work well under pressure with tight timescales.
• Demonstrated alignment with Yorkshire Water behaviours; strong IT skills.
• Flexibility for hybrid working and work-life balance considerations.

Benefits

• Competitive salary up to £64,000 depending on experience.
• A company car lease/allowance scheme (£2,510 cash allowance).
• Annual incentive related bonus (up to 10% of annual salary).
• Private health care (self only).
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 10% company contribution).
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and an extra wellness day.
• Health cash plan, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover as part of a great benefits package.
• Retail savings scheme; online GP service; cycle to work scheme; gym membership discounts and more.

Additional notes: We support flexible working patterns and job share options where possible. Applicants needing adjustments can indicate this in their application. Closing date for this role is Sunday 7th September 2025. No agencies please.