Senior/Principal Planning Officer

Waterman Aspen; Dudley, Bromsgrove, Coventry, Birmingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in the UK seeks a Senior / Principal Planner to join the Town Planning team. The position demands at least five years of planning experience, diverse project exposure, and presents opportunities for professional development. This role offers a competitive salary aligned with location and skills, alongside a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and substantial annual leave. The ideal candidate is chartered or working towards membership with the RTPI, bringing strong project management and report writing skills.

Benefits

Permanent health insurance

25 days annual leave

Company pension contribution

Mileage contribution

Paid community volunteer day

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years planning experience in public or private sectors.
• Experience presenting to diverse audiences.
• Experience writing reports and evidence for public inquiries.

Responsibilities

• Act as a key member of the Town Planning team.
• Manage various projects while developing personal skills.
• Support clients and enhance technical knowledge.

Skills

Planning experience

Project management

Report writing

Knowledge of planning legislation

Public speaking

Education

Chartered membership of the RTPI or working towards membership

Job description

Birmingham,Bromsgrove,Cannock Chase,Coventry,Dudley,Herefordshire,Malvern Hills,Newcastle,Nuneaton and Bedworth,Redditch,Rugby,Sandwell,Shropshire,Stafford,Staffordshire,Stoke-on-Trent,Stratford-on-Avon,Tamworth,Telford and Wrekin,Walsall,Warwick,Warwickshire,Wolverhampton,Worcestershire,Wychavon,Wyre Forest

Salary: Dependent on experience and skills

Waterman Aspen welcomes planning professionals, engineers and technical specialists to make their mark by working on some of the biggest development management and infrastructure projects or in delivering professional services across the UK. We specialise in secondment services, providing the right people, with the right skills for the job, at the right time. Our diverse client base includes local authorities, consultancies, public bodies and construction companies.

We take pride in supporting our colleagues throughout their careers. We’re a people‑centric organisation, placing mutual respect and dignity in the highest regard. This is reflected in our approach to issues such as mental health and wellbeing, family friendly policies, social value, and net zero. We’re a Disability Confident Employer and an accredited Real Living Wage Employer.

We have big ambitions for the future, and we’d love for you to be part of it.

Your career with Waterman Aspen…

You’ll get all the benefits of being employed by us, while working on a variety of projects for our clients. Joining Waterman Aspen as a Senior / Principal Planner will see you as a key member of the Town Planning team and you can expect:

• A varied client base where you can apply and develop your skills
• Buy‑in from clients to assist in your technical progression
• Further exposure to your chosen industry – increasing your awareness, knowledge and sharpening of your skills
• The flexibility to broaden your horizons with each new secondment, without changing your employer
• Career development and training to reach your professional or academic qualification goals supported by our own network of mentors and managers
• Paid subscription to a professional body of your choice
• Regular social events and volunteering opportunities
• More than 5 years planning experience within the public or private sector.
• Chartered member of the RTPI or working towards membership.
• Knowledge and understanding of planning legislation and Government Policy.
• Experience of presenting to a wide range of audiences.
• Experience of writing reports and planning statements.
• Experience of writing proofs of evidence and attending public inquiries/examinations.
• Project management and research skills.

You’ll get this and so much more…

As a salaried colleague, you’ll get a salary in line with your experience, skills and location along with an industry‑leading benefits package:

• Contribution to commuting mileage
• Permanent health insurance
• 25 days annual leave (option to buy up to 5 more), in addition to the normal public holidays (based on a 40 hour week, pro rata for part‑time colleagues)
• Company pension contribution
• Salary sacrifice to buy additional benefits
• 1 paid Waterman Aspen in the Community Day to volunteer in your local community

We have big plans for the future and we’d love for you to be part of it. If you’re interested in joining our team of engineering and technical specialists, take a look at our latest opportunities here.

We find you opportunities that perfectly match your expertise and career aspirations, with industry‑leading training, development, and support at your fingertips.

Our people are the most important part of our business – in fact, they are our business – and building successful careers is what we’re all about.

Don’t just take our word for it – find out what some of our colleagues have to say about their career with Waterman Aspen.