Principal Policy Planner

Arup; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit Share

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Income protection

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Arup is looking for Principal Policy Planners to lead planning policy work within the UK. You will manage assignments for public and private sector clients, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and nurture client relationships at government departments and local authorities.

You will drive strategic growth and win contracts across complex urban projects. The role requires MRTPI, strong policy, and communication skills with a proven track record in delivering policy-led planning solutions

Qualifications

• Degree in town planning or equivalent and MRTPI membership.
• Strong knowledge of planning legislation and policy.
• Experience advising clients on policy issues at all levels.
• Experience in client meetings and business development.
• Ability to write reports clearly and manage client relationships.
• Commercial/financial management for projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage assignments for a mix of public and private sector clients.
• Collaborate with consultants across Arup’s disciplines.
• Develop the town planning business by pursuing strategic opportunities.
• Win new contracts and manage senior client relationships.

Skills

MRTPI

Policy expertise

Client relationship mgmt

Policy writing

Public sector experience

Strategic planning

Education

Degree in town planning / MRTPI

Job description

Joining Arup

Arup's purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

The Opportunities

Around the globe, Arup’s Cities, Planning and Design (CPD) portfolio brings specialist knowledge to a range of challenges including delivering major infrastructure, strategies to achieve sustainable economic development, supporting the transition to sustainable energy, embedding social value, preparing policy frameworks to support growth, conserving valuable built and natural environments and engaging with our stakeholders to achieve inclusive decision making.

Across the UK we have a growing team of Policy Planners within our national Town Planning business who are working on a wide range of exciting projects responding to the new Government’s growth agenda and directly shaping the future of places. Our policy planners work with a diverse portfolio of clients including central government, local and devolved authorities, developers and infrastructure providers. We are working on some of the most challenging and high profile planning projects in the country, from supporting MHCLG with local plan and digital reform, to developing masterplans, strategies and governance to realise the next generation of New Towns. We also work closely with Local Authorities to manage the production of Local Plans, draft policies and prepare evidence bases, for example in respect of climate change, infrastructure and Green Belt.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas. You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work hat has meaning to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

Is this role right for you?

We are looking for Principal level Policy Planners with a background in cities, planning policy, strategic planning, governance and delivery vehicles.

As a Principal Policy Planner you will be responsible for managing assignments for a mix of public and private sector clients; and will work with a wide range of consultants from across Arup’s disciplines. You will manage client relationships with government departments, local authorities, project and property developers, infrastructure operators, and other organisations across the public and private sectors. Additionally, you will help develop the town planning business through pursuing strategic opportunities, winning new contracts, and managing senior relationships.

You Will Have The Following Knowledge And Skills

• Degree in town planning or similar equivalent degree (e.g. geography) & Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI)
• Good knowledge of planning legislation and planning policy.
• Understanding of how to prepare policy documents and to advice clients on policy issues at all levels – national through to local.
• Experience of attending client meetings and general contributions to the development of a town planning business.
• Ability to articulate complex issues concisely, write reports, present effectively, and manage client relationships.
• Commercial/financial management that can be applied to the profitable management of projects.

What We Offer You

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefitsto help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce.

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave.

We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all.

Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup .

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Rachel Connolly at [e-mail] to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list.