Principal Town Planner - Policy

AECOM; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure consulting firm is seeking a Principal Planner to manage planning policy projects, support local authorities, and lead business development initiatives. The role offers a hybrid work model, allowing flexibility, and requires substantial experience in planning policy. Ideal candidates will have strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to quality work.

Benefits

Hybrid working options

Comprehensive benefits package

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant relevant experience in planning policy and strategy development.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative working approach.
• Demonstrated experience in business development.

Responsibilities

• Lead key planning policy projects and support local authority development.
• Ensure successful delivery of projects within budget and timelines.
• Manage relationships with clients and stakeholders effectively.

Skills

Planning policy expertise

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Business development

Job description

Overview

in planning policy project wins and new opportunities, we are looking to bring in a Principal Planner to work with senior colleagues to manage our growing workload. We are seeking an outstanding consultant with proven experience in planning policy and strategy and project management. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic thinker with strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to delivering high-quality work and driving business growth. You will be based in our flagship London Aldgate Tower office, though other locations may be considered, including Basingstoke, Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge, Chesterfield, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, and Plymouth. We operate a hybrid working model, giving you the flexibility to balance time between our office and working from home, depending on your needs and the requirements of the role. This position is available on either a full-time or part-time basis, allowing us to tailor the role to suit your individual circumstances.

What you'll do

• Team Leadership and Development
  • Participate in the successful operation and management of the town planning team
• Planning Strategy and Expertise
  • Lead and assist on key planning policy projects, including supporting local authority policy and strategy development, coordination and delivery of local plan evidence studies, strategic growth studies, infrastructure strategies and other policy and strategy commissions.
  • Offer strategic planning advice to other client and internal teams.
  • Provide effective representation for the organisation, developing and managing relationships with clients, local authorities and other stakeholders through project work and through attendance at conferences and other networking events.
  • Sharing technical knowledge and excellence.
• Project Management
  • Ensure projects are delivered successfully on budget and within programme timelines.
  • Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams for seamless project execution.
• Quality Assurance and Compliance
  • Oversee the deliverables produced by the planning policy team.
  • Implement and uphold quality assurance and health and safety principles.
• Business Development
  • Contribute to the business development strategy, nurturing client relationships.
  • Lead and assist in the preparation of commercial tenders to secure new opportunities.

About our team

AECOM is a top ten UK planning consultancy by size, employing more than 70 Chartered or Licentiate Planners. The Planning Practice projects include some of the largest, most complex and high profile development and regeneration projects in the UK for both public and private sector clients. We work closely with colleagues in other related disciplines, including masterplanning, landscape, environment, sustainability, transport and economics. Examples of our project work include:

• Sub-Regional Spatial Plans – leading provider of sub-regional growth studies and evidence base for plans and policy, including strategic planning work in the OxCam Arc, Thames Estuary, Hertfordshire and the East Midlands.
• Local Plans – providing local planning authorities with local plan evidence and support; work on the local plans of over 100 authorities in the last decade.
• Strategic Masterplans – masterplanning for Garden Communities totalling almost 100,000 homes, including Southern Manydown in Basingstoke and Naas North West Quadrant in Ireland.
• Neighbourhood Planning – support for several hundred local communities with neighbourhood plan making since 2011.

Joining AECOM provides opportunities for career progression within a positive culture where learning and development is actively supported and promoted. Come grow with us.

Qualifications and Experience

• Significant relevant experience of leading and contributing to planning policy and strategy development in a consultancy or public sector role.
• Client focus, with good interpersonal skills and a collaborative working approach.
• Existing relationships with clients and local authorities.
• A business development mindset, with demonstrable experience of work winning and developing relationships with existing and new clients.
• Ability to produce high quality technical reports and excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work on your own initiative and under pressure.
• High level of commitment to quality.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world\'s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle. We are a Fortune 500 company with a global team delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and environmental, social and governance priorities. We offer hybrid work options and a comprehensive benefits package. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Disability Confident Employer. All information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.