Principal to Associate Director Planner (Renewable Energy)

Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

cobaltrecruitment is seeking a Principal Planner advancing to Associate Director to deliver complex energy and infrastructure projects across the UK. You will advise energy developers and public sector clients, guiding DCOs, TCPA processes and environmental compliance.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, manage budgets and drive stakeholder engagement, with hybrid working across major UK cities and opportunities for leadership progression.

Qualifications

• Experience in energy, renewables or major infrastructure planning.
• Solid understanding of DCOs, TCPA planning processes and environmental regulations.
• Experience managing complex projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and client-facing skills.
• Confidence to take ownership of projects and provide strategic planning advice.

Responsibilities

• Leading planning and consenting strategies for major energy and infrastructure developments.
• Advising on Development Consent Orders (DCOs), Section 36/37 consents and TCPA applications.
• Managing multidisciplinary teams across complex projects.
• Providing strategic advice on planning policy and environmental legislation (EIA).
• Coordinating stakeholder engagement, consultations and public examinations.
• Building client relationships and supporting business development.
• Managing project budgets, programmes and delivery risks.
• Mentoring junior colleagues and contributing to team growth.

Skills

Energy/infra planning

Stakeholder engagement

Project leadership

DCOs TCPA knowledge

Client facing

Job description

If you're looking for greater project exposure, more responsibility and genuine career progression, this could be your next big move!

The Opportunity

Working at Principal Planner to Associate Director level, you'll play a key role in delivering complex planning and consenting projects, advising major public and private sector clients and helping shape the future of UK infrastructure.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading planning and consenting strategies for major energy and infrastructure developments.
• Advising on Development Consent Orders (DCOs), Section 36/37 consents and Town and Country Planning Act applications.
• Managing multidisciplinary teams across complex projects.
• Providing strategic advice on planning policy, environmental legislation and EIA requirements.
• Coordinating stakeholder engagement, consultations and public examinations.
• Building strong client relationships and supporting business development.
• Managing project budgets, programmes and delivery risks.
• Mentoring junior colleagues and contributing to team growth.

What We're Looking For

We're keen to speak with ambitious planning professionals who have:

• Strong experience in energy, renewables or major infrastructure planning.
• A solid understanding of DCOs, TCPA planning processes and environmental regulations.
• Experience managing complex projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and client-facing skills.
• The confidence to take ownership of projects and provide strategic planning advice.
• Exposure to solar, wind, nuclear, hydrogen, utilities or other major infrastructure sectors would be advantageous.

Experience gained within a planning consultancy, developer or public sector organisation will be considered.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• High-profile projects - Work on nationally significant energy and infrastructure developments.
• Career progression - Genuine opportunities to develop your expertise and progress into senior leadership.
• Variety and exposure - Work across renewable energy, utilities and major infrastructure schemes.
• Flexible working - Hybrid opportunities across four major UK cities.
• Influence and impact - Play a meaningful role in delivering the infrastructure needed for the UK's energy future.

Ready for Your Next Move?

Whether you're an established Principal Planner looking to step up or an experienced planning professional ready for an Associate Director position, we'd love to hear from you.