Principal Town Planner

Arcadis; London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in sustainable design and consultancy is seeking a Principal Town Planner in London. The role involves leading planning consents, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and engaging with clients and stakeholders to enhance project outcomes while ensuring compliance with UK planning regulations.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering planning consents across multiple regimes.
• Experience across various sectors and planning stages.
• Practical knowledge of the UK planning system.

Responsibilities

• Desk studies, research, and report writing, including Planning and Design and Access Statements.
• Project management with effective budget control.
• Liaising with clients, statutory bodies, and the public.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Influencing skills

Education

Relevant degree

RTPI chartered status or working towards it

Job description

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Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets.

We are more than 36,000 people, in over 70 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world's most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.

We are looking to recruit a Principal Town Planner, with a good understanding of the UK planning system, to help meet the needs of our clients and projects. You will work collaboratively with a range of technical specialists on a broad range of projects, lead and coordinate projects, work closely with clients, develop new areas of business, and collaborate within our integrated Planning and Environmental team.

As part of our Environmental team, you'll help improve quality of life. Your work could involve protected species, pollution, surface water and materials management, air quality, or noise, especially in some of the world's busiest and most beautiful locations.

We work to protect our natural environment and water resources while powering our world for future generations. In the face of climate change, urbanization, and biodiversity loss, we address large-scale events like floods and wildfires.

We provide advice and support on development proposals through all stages of the planning process—from early feasibility and options appraisal, through public consultation, application preparation, supporting public inquiries, and construction.

The duties of the role include but are not limited to:

1. Desk studies, research, and report writing, including Planning and Design and Access Statements.
2. Assisting with or leading the preparation of consent applications and advising on planning aspects of complex schemes, including Town and Country Planning, Development Consent Orders, and Transport and Works Act applications.
3. Project management with effective budget control.
4. Liaising with clients, statutory bodies, and the public.
5. Building internal relationships through responsiveness and a commercial approach.
6. Supporting the growth of planning and consenting capabilities at Arcadis.
7. Providing planning advice and support to clients, project managers, and colleagues.
8. Engaging with stakeholders and consultees.

Qualifications & Experience:

We seek experience leading and delivering planning consents, including Development Consent Orders, applications under the Town and Country Planning Act, Hybrid Bills, or Transport and Works Act Orders. Business development experience and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment are essential.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A proven track record of delivering planning consents across multiple regimes.
• Experience across various sectors and planning stages.
• Strong internal and external networks supporting project delivery.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams and matrix organizations on major projects.
• Practical knowledge of the UK planning system and consenting process.
• Experience negotiating with authorities, regulators, and stakeholders.
• A relevant degree, preferably with RTPI chartered status or working towards it.