Senior Town Planner ( Infrastructure Planning)

WSP USA; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Flexible working arrangements

Chartership support

Job summary

WSP is seeking an experienced Senior Consultant to support town planning and consenting inputs on major and nationally significant infrastructure projects in the UK. You will work within a multi-disciplinary team to secure approvals under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Planning Act 2008, among other regimes.

Join our inclusive, global engineering and professional services firm with a strong focus on people, development, and flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Degree in town planning (or equivalent).
• RTPI membership or eligibility.
• Experience securing consents for major/nationally significant projects.
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Support town planning or consenting inputs on major infrastructure projects (DCOs, DNSs, TWAOs etc).
• Provide technical advice to clients on consenting requirements and manage expectations.
• Coordinate submission of consent applications under Town and Country Planning Acts, Planning Act 2008, and other regimes.
• Negotiate with statutory bodies and stakeholders on behalf of clients.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams and mentor junior staff in project delivery.
• Understand project finances and apply basic project management practices.

Skills

Town planning expertise

Client advisory

Consent coordination

Stakeholder negotiations

Team collaboration

Project finance awareness

Education

Degree in town planning

RTPI member/eligible

Job description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

WSP is an award-winning consultancy that employees the largest number of chartered town planners across the UK, operating within both the infrastructure and property markets.

It has never been a more exciting time to join WSP’s market-leading Infrastructure Planning Team. Our success is built on employing highly skilled consenting specialists that have experience in serving a diverse portfolio of clients in the energy, renewables, nuclear, net zero, water, rail and transportation and aviation sectors. We work at all stages of the consenting process from early feasibility, application preparation and delivery of consents through construction and on a variety of projects across sectors.

With notable contract and framework awards from National Grid as part of the Great Grid Partnership, Nuclear Waste Services as well as awards from many other clients, we have a great foundation for growth.

Our key clients include Bute Energy, East West Rail, EET Fuels, Eni UK, National Gas, SSE, Scottish Power Renewables, Southern Water, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, and many more.

To continue to sustainably grow as a business, we are looking for an experienced Senior Consultant to join our team to support town planning and consenting inputs on major and nationally significant infrastructure projects. The successful candidates will have demonstrable experience of working within multi-disciplinary teams to secure consent and approvals for major or nationally significant infrastructure projects via the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Planning Act 2008. We are also interested to hear from people that have experience in securing consents for major projects by means of Planning (Wales) Act 2015, Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, Transport and Works Act Order or the Electricity Act.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

• Support and take responsibility for aspects of the town planning or consenting inputs on major infrastructure projects (DCOs, DNSs, TWAOs etc)
• Providing technical advice to clients and support managing their consenting requirements, demonstrating awareness of client’s expectations and needs.
• Support co‑ordinating the preparation and submission of consent applications which may include applications under the Town and Country Planning Acts, the Planning Act 2008 or other regimes (as listed above).
• Supporting negotiations with statutory bodies and stakeholders on behalf of clients.
• Engages with teams across a variety of disciplines, supporting and supervising others in their work/project delivery roles.
• Understands project and team roles and actively supports and contributes to achievement, building positive relationships within the team.
• Proactively engages with developing own knowledge and skills to build ability and team’s internal knowledge base.
• Awareness of project finances and some project management experience, ideally within a consultancy environment.
• Degree level qualification in town planning (or equivalent).
• Member of (or eligible for) the RTPI.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

#L1-JC2

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

• Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

• We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.
• Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most.
• We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need.
• Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

• To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the "WSP My Hour", allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.
• We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.