Principal/Associate DCO Planner

Tetra Tech; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Tetra Tech in the UK is seeking a Principal or Associate Town Planner to grow our DCO and NSIP capability across nuclear, transport, energy and wider infrastructure projects.

You’ll shape strategy, develop a robust client pipeline and lead multidisciplinary teams, delivering successful planning outcomes while mentoring colleagues and expanding our national footprint.

This role offers flexible, hybrid working arrangements and opportunities to advance within a leading, science-driven consultancy.

Qualifications

• RTPI-accredited Town Planner with significant consultancy, local government or developer experience.
• Experience on major infrastructure projects; strategic thinking and commercial awareness.
• Strong sector reputation and ability to lead client engagements.

Responsibilities

• Apply consultancy experience across the DCO process and NSIP consent delivery.
• Lead multiple projects effectively, balancing priorities, programme, budgets and client expectations.
• Build lasting client relationships and identify opportunities to grow fee-earning work.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and communicate planning matters clearly.

Skills

DCO & NSIP Expertise

Project Management

Client & Commercial Focus

Collaboration & Communication

Initiative & Growth Mindset

Education

RTPI-accredited Town Planner

Job description

Shape the future of nationally significant infrastructure

Join Tetra Tech and use your DCO expertise to influence complex, nationally significant projects across the UK. You’ll have the opportunity to shape our growing DCO offering, work alongside leading technical specialists and build a career at the forefront of infrastructure planning.

Purpose & Scope of the Role

As a Principal or Associate within our Planning Team, part of Tetra Tech’s Environment, Sustainability & Planning (ESP) business, you’ll play a key role in growing and diversifying our Development Consent Order (DCO) capability. Working with clients across nuclear, transport, energy and wider infrastructure, you’ll apply your NSIP consenting expertise to deliver successful outcomes on strategically important projects.

Your Impact in this position

You’ll combine technical planning expertise with commercial insight, helping shape our DCO strategy and develop a strong pipeline of work. You’ll build trusted client relationships, identify opportunities and collaborate across Tetra Tech’s UK and global teams to bring together the expertise needed to solve complex challenges.

You’ll also contribute to technical leadership, mentor colleagues, share industry insight and support strong project and business performance.

• DCO & NSIP Expertise – Apply proven consultancy experience across the DCO process and delivery of consents for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
• Project Management – Lead multiple projects effectively, balancing priorities, programme, budgets and client expectations.
• Client & Commercial Focus – Build lasting client relationships, identify opportunities and develop a portfolio of clients and fee-earning work.
• Collaboration & Communication – Work confidently across multidisciplinary teams and communicate complex planning matters clearly to clients and technical specialists.
• Initiative & Growth Mindset – Take ownership, challenge constructively and bring curiosity, energy and a proactive approach to growing the business.

Training, Qualifications & Experience

You’ll be an RTPI-accredited Town Planner with significant experience in consultancy, local government or developer environments. Experience of major infrastructure projects, strategic thinking, commercial awareness and a strong sector reputation are essential.

We offer agile and flexible working, with arrangements shaped around project and team requirements. Hybrid, office-based and flexible options are available where practical, with office attendance and working patterns agreed according to client, project and business needs.

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide.We have a wide range ofexpertiseacross our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value.We provide a collaborative environment that supports individual performance, innovation, and creativity.

We support public and private sector clients on local, national, and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who areLeading with Science®to solve our clients’ most complex problems.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employeesrequiringadditionalarrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day-to-day role