Principal Town Planner

SYSTRA UK & Ireland; Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

SYSTRA UK & Ireland is seeking a Principal Town Planner to lead and shape project strategy, manage clients, and drive growth in a growing consultancy. You will oversee delivery, collaboration with designers and partners, and ensure compliance with standards.

The role emphasizes leadership, strategic input, and development of the Town Planning discipline within the business, with opportunities to work on large-scale rail and public transport projects.

Qualifications

• Degree level or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject.
• Eligibility for RTPI, RIBA, RICS or a similar professional body.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and client-facing abilities.
• Proven track record in managing complex projects.
• Strong commercial awareness and business development skills.

Responsibilities

• Delivery of all specified project outcomes on time, within budget and to the client’s specifications.
• Production of technically sound solutions, including reporting and cost estimating, to programme and within budget.
• Identifying and delivering solutions.
• Compliance with all relevant technical standards.
• Provision of advice and guidance for staff, with active pursuit of professional development.
• Maintaining good relationships with external parties to enhance the company’s reputation.
• Supporting the overall growth and direction of Town Planning in the business.
• Securing statutory consents and working with local authorities and transport bodies.
• Managing and coordinating applications, negotiations and implementation of consents.
• Leading production and excellence within the discipline team.
• Providing technical guidance to discipline design teams.
• Integrating with international technical networks in the delivery of designs.
• Working on SYSTRA-wide projects from bidding through to delivery.

Skills

Excellent communication

Client-facing

Proven project management

Business development

Commercial awareness

RTPI eligibility

Education

Degree level or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject

Job description

Around the world, SYSTRA’s specialists plan, design, integrate, test, commission, project manage and deliver mass transit and mobility solutions that are relied on by more than 50 million people every day.

For more than 60 years, the Group has been committed to helping cities and regions contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their transport infrastructure with sustainability, accessibility and innovation at the heart of our designs. With over 10,300 colleagues globally and around 1,000 in the UK & Ireland we are growing significantly and seeking out the very best talent to join the SYSTRA signature team and be part of leading the way in infrastructure design.

Context

SYSTRA is an international engineering and consulting group specialising in rail (passenger and freight) and public transport. We work with our clients to find innovative solutions to complex issues concerning the location and movement of people, goods and services. We innovate to meet our clients’ needs, prepare mass transit for tomorrow, and propose ever more resilient solutions. Transport infrastructure engineering has to adopt new technology, cater for new habits and satisfy new demands. To go beyond, SYSTRA commits to put people at the heart of design and improve transport systems efficiency. We are dedicated to delivering excellence to our clients through our entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm whilst promoting a culture of listening, teamwork and employee empowerment.

With ambitious growth plans, this is an exciting time to join SYSTRA Ltd as we continue to develop and raise our profile in the UK.

Principal Town Planner

To take on a senior leadership role within a growing consultancy. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping project strategy, managing clients, and supporting the growth of the business.

Missions / Main Duties

• Delivery of all specified project outcomes on time, within budget and to the client’s specifications.
• Production of technically sound solutions, including all associated reporting and cost estimating, to programme and within budget.
• Identifying and delivering solutions.
• Compliance with all relevant technical standards.
• Provision of advice and guidance for staff, with active pursuit of professional development.
• Good relationships maintained with all external parties to enhance the reputation of the company, working in collaboration with our designers and contract partners.
• Supporting the overall growth and direction of Town Planning in the business.

• Responsible for securing statutory consents, preparing consent documents, and working with local authorities, statutory bodies and other transport authorities.
• Managing and coordinating applications, negotiation and implementation of all necessary consents.
• Ensuring that consents are delivered, including all associated reporting and cost estimating, to programme and within budget.
• Leading production and excellence within the discipline team.
• Providing technical guidance to all discipline design teams.
• Integrating with international technical networks in the delivery of designs.
• Working on SYSTRA‑wide projects from a consenting and compliance perspective, from bidding through to delivery.

Profile / Skills

• Degree level or postgraduate level qualification in a relevant subject.
• Eligibility for membership of RTPI, RIBA, RICS or a similar professional body.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and client‑facing abilities.
• Proven track record in managing complex projects.
• Strong commercial awareness and business development skills.