Planning Manager

Vistry Group; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading housing developer in the UK seeks a strategic planner to manage the planning processes and oversee project development. The candidate should possess a degree in architecture or planning, have experience within the residential sector, and be skilled in stakeholder engagement. Responsibilities include managing a consultant team, conducting planning appraisals, and ensuring timely delivery of projects. This role offers competitive salary and extensive benefits.

Benefits

Competitive basic salary and annual bonus

Company car or travel allowance

Up to 39 days annual leave with service

Private medical insurance

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Competitive pension scheme

Life assurance at 4x annual salary

Qualifications

• Experience working within a residential house builder.
• Knowledge of design packages such as Photoshop, JPA designer, and Sketch-Up.
• Experience in people management and project leading.
• Ability to implement change and use initiative.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Develop planning strategies and manage a professional consultant team.
• Engage with stakeholders and the Local Planning Authority.
• Ensure viable developments and timely delivery.
• Conduct planning appraisals and make investment recommendations.
• Manage site applications through the determination process.

Skills

Good communicator/listener

Strong mathematical ability

Able to manage and lead a team

Resilient, positive, confident and assertive but diplomatic

Able to influence and persuade others

Capable of strategic vision

Decision making/problem solving/multi-tasking

Education

Architecture or Planning Degree or Degree in Design

Membership of CIAT or RIBA

Tools

Photoshop

JPA designer

Sketch-Up

Job description

Responsibilities

• Behave in line with our company values - Integrity, Caring and Quality, Developing the planning strategy and leading with the management and co-ordination of a professional consultant team in the promotion of the sites.
• Leading with stakeholder and LPA engagement.
• Working with colleagues and partners to ensure that appropriate and viable developments are achieved and with delivery at the earliest opportunity.
• To undertake planning appraisals for these sites making recommendations to the board for investment.
• To manage the sites as with the existing portfolio.
• Appoint and manage a consultant team to produce robust and timely planning applications to the appropriate planning authority.
• Working alongside other members of the team to ensure that the proposals meet with the business plan.
• Manage the submission of applications to an agreed programme.
• Manage applications through the determination process leading with all stakeholder engagement.
• Providing detailed handovers to the delivery team upon the successful planning determinations.
• Identify and mitigate against risk and work with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders to manage risk pre-start of each phase.
• Work alongside our client's own development teams to support, as instructed on a case-by-case basis, with the management of a consultant team in the development of planning applications.
• When required, organise, lead/ attend and minute client and /or internal project meetings acting in a professional manner to positively represent Vistry.
• Resolve problems in collaboration with the project teams and colleagues and share learning to champion continuous improvement and ensure successful delivery of schemes.
• Promote and represent Vistry Partnerships when appropriate to maximise development opportunities and the reputation of the company.
• When required, assess new business opportunities, undertake feasibility work, and prepare 'offer documentation' as required.
• Network with new and existing clients to identify opportunities to expand the business.
• Comply with all Group's policies including Health, Safety and Environmental policies.
• Any other task deemed necessary to the role.

Finally, let's tell you a bit more about us. We build more than homes, we're making Vistry. Being a responsible developer and award-winning employer means we live each day through our ethos – doing the right thing. Our behaviours reflect this, as well as our values of integrity, caring and quality. Shaping all we do; they empower us to develop sustainable communities across affordable and private housing. We work in a partnership‑led way, and you'll recognise our renowned brands Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Countryside Homes. Together with Vistry Works, our manufacturing operation, and the functional support of Vistry Services, we're a proud UK Green Building Council member, UK top five housebuilder with a five‑star House Builders Federation (HBF) customer satisfaction rating, and winner of many awards including Top Employer, Global Top Inspiring Workplaces, and Best for Talent Attraction and Outreach.

Qualifications

• Architecture or Planning Degree or Degree in Design, such as, Urban Layout, Landscape, Architectural Technology or Relevant experience in the industry
• Experience working within a residential house builder
• Knowledge or other design packages (Photoshop, JPA designer, Sketch‑Up)
• Experience or people management and project leading
• Able to influence and persuade others to their point of view
• Capable of implementing change and of using their initiative
• Resilient, positive, confident and assertive but diplomatic
• Strong mathematical ability
• Able to manage and lead a team
• A good communicator/listener
• An awareness of the social and environmental impact of your work
• Accurate with an eye for detail
• Capable of strategic vision
• Decision making/problem solving/multi‑tasking
• Able to work under pressure, and accept criticism of work
• Willing to work extra to meet deadlines as and when the business needs require it

Desirable

• MRTPI qualified
• Achieved or working towards part 3 architect accreditation
• Achieved or working towards a BSc or an NVQ in Architectural Technology
• Membership of the (CIAT) Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists or the RIBA

Benefits

• Competitive basic salary and annual bonus
• Company car, car allowance or travel allowance
• Salary sacrifice car scheme available to all employees
• Up to 33 days annual leave plus bank holidays increasing to up to 39 days with service
• 2 Volunteering days per annum
• Private medical insurance, with employee paid cover
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Competitive pension scheme through salary sacrifice
• Life assurance at 4 x your annual salary
• Share save and share incentive schemes
• Employee rewards portal with many more benefits