Senior Town Planner / Associate Town Planner

STANTEC; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

Stantec in Reading is seeking a Senior Planner or Associate Planner to join our Planning team. You will deliver planning projects for diverse clients, managing applications, producing planning reports, and supporting growth of the team.

You’ll work with experienced planners and technical specialists across transport, engineering, environmental services, architecture, landscape and sustainability, expanding your expertise and taking increasing ownership of projects as your career progresses.

Qualifications

• A degree, and ideally a postgraduate qualification, in Town Planning or a related discipline.
• MRTPI membership.
• Significant experience within a planning consultancy, local authority, developer or related environment.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system, including development management and/or plan making.
• Experience preparing planning applications, appraisals, planning statements and technical reports.
• Strong report writing, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work to agreed deadlines.
• A collaborative approach and genuine interest in sustainable development.
• For Senior Planner level, experience managing planning projects and developing client relationships.
• For Associate Planner level, a track record of taking ownership of projects, managing client relationships and supporting or mentoring junior colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Managing and contributing to planning applications for a wide range of development projects.
• Providing strategic planning and development management advice to clients.
• Contributing to strategic planning and plan-making projects across the region and nationally.
• Preparing planning appraisals, planning statements, reports and supporting documentation.
• Preparing planning appeals including involvement in hearings and public inquiries.
• Undertaking policy research and monitoring changes in planning legislation and guidance.
• Managing project programmes, budgets and delivery to agreed timescales.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, local authorities and key stakeholders.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across multiple technical disciplines to deliver integrated solutions.
• Supporting business development activities, including proposals and client presentations.
• Identifying opportunities to support the growth of the Planning team and wider business.
• For Associate Planner applicants, mentoring junior colleagues and leading client relationships.

Skills

Client relationships

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Analytical problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Degree in Town Planning or related discipline

MRTPI membership

Job description

Are you chartered town planner looking to take the next step in your career by working on some of the UK's most exciting strategic planning, development and infrastructure projects?

We're looking for a Senior Planner or Associate Planner to join our Planning team in Reading . This is an excellent opportunity to become part of a leading multidisciplinary consultancy, working on projects that shape communities, support sustainable growth and deliver lasting positive impact.

You’ll work alongside experienced planners and technical specialists across transport, engineering, environmental services, architecture, landscape and sustainability, giving you the opportunity to broaden your expertise and play an increasingly influential role in the delivery of complex projects.

Our team works across a diverse portfolio, including strategic land, development management, residential, commercial, mixed-use, infrastructure, regeneration and energy projects. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your technical expertise, strengthen client relationships and take greater ownership of projects as your career progresses.

About the Role:

As a Senior Planner or Associate Planner, you’ll play an important role in delivering planning projects for a diverse range of clients, while contributing to the continued growth and development of our Reading Planning team.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing and contributing to planning applications for a wide range of development projects.
• Providing strategic planning and development management advice to clients.
• Contributing to strategic planning and plan-making projects across the region and nationally.
• Preparing planning appraisals, planning statements, reports and supporting documentation.
• Preparing planning appeals including involvement in hearings and public inquires.
• Undertaking policy research and monitoring changes in planning legislation and guidance.
• Managing project programmes, budgets and delivery to agreed timescales.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, local authorities and key stakeholders.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across multiple technical disciplines to deliver integrated solutions.
• Supporting business development activities, including proposals and client presentations.
• Identifying opportunities to support the growth of the Planning team and wider business.
• For Associate Planner applicants, taking greater ownership of projects, leading client relationships and providing guidance and mentoring to more junior colleagues.
• For Associate Planner applicants, supporting the development of the team through knowledge sharing, coaching and contributing to recruitment and wider team initiatives.

Your Impact:

You’ll contribute to projects that make a genuine difference to the places where people live, work and thrive.

Working across a variety of sectors, you’ll help clients navigate complex planning challenges, secure planning permissions and deliver development that supports economic growth, creates new homes, improves infrastructure and enhances the environment.

You’ll be part of a genuinely multidisciplinary environment, working alongside specialists across the business to develop integrated solutions and deliver better outcomes for communities and clients.

As your career develops, you’ll be encouraged to take on greater responsibility, strengthen your client relationships and contribute to the continued growth and success of our Planning team.

About You:

We’re looking for experienced planners who are commercially aware, enjoy solving complex problems and are confident building relationships with clients and stakeholders.

You’ll have:

• A degree, and ideally a postgraduate qualification, in Town Planning or a related discipline.
• MRTPI membership.
• Significant experience within a planning consultancy, local authority, developer or related environment.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system, including development management and/or plan making.
• Experience preparing planning applications, appraisals, planning statements and technical reports.
• Strong report writing, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work to agreed deadlines.
• A collaborative approach and genuine interest in sustainable development.
• For Senior Planner level, experience managing planning projects and developing client relationships.
• For Associate Planner level, a track record of taking ownership of projects, managing client relationships and supporting or mentoring junior colleagues.

We’re particularly interested in hearing from planners with experience across strategic land, residential, commercial, mixed-use, infrastructure, regeneration or energy, although relevant experience in other areas of planning will also be considered.

Why Join Us:

• We put people first: We’re proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
• We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024.
• We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.
• We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups)
• Growth: We’re on an exciting growth journey across the UK & Ireland - we want you to be part of it!
• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.
• Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.

About Stantec

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.

Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment.

Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.

Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world-class talent is a crucial key to our success.

If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply.

At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [e-mail] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.