Strategic Associate Director – Town Planning & Consents

AECO; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an Associate Director to lead the planning consents team, with offices in Bristol, Chesterfield and Manchester and a hybrid working policy. The role involves managing high-profile infrastructure projects and guiding both strategy and client relationships across energy, rail and water sectors.

You will mentor colleagues, drive business growth, and ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget, while upholding quality and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading applications for planning consent on large infrastructure projects.
• Expert witness experience would be advantageous.
• Strong client and stakeholder relations skills are essential.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely and work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow our planning consents service.
• Provide line management and mentorship to junior team members.
• Lead major development applications, including the Development Consent Order (DCO) process.
• Offer strategic planning advice to clients and internal teams.
• Ensure projects are delivered on budget and within programme timelines.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams for seamless project execution.
• Oversee deliverables produced by the planning consents team.
• Implement and uphold quality assurance and health and safety principles.
• Contribute to the business development strategy and nurture client relationships.
• Lead the preparation of commercial tenders to secure new opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Planning consent

Project management

Mentoring

Stakeholder relations

Education

Degree in Town Planning

RTPI membership

Job description

AECOM is seeking an Associate Director to lead the planning consents team, with offices in Bristol, Chesterfield and Manchester and a hybrid working policy. The role involves managing high-profile infrastructure projects and guiding both strategy and client relationships across energy, rail and water sectors.

You will mentor colleagues, drive business growth, and ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget, while upholding quality and safety standards.