Town Planner

Tetra Tech Europe; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Tetra Tech is seeking a motivated Town Planner to join our Planning team in Belfast or Edinburgh. You will contribute to delivering planning advice and development proposals for clients across the UK and Ireland, working with senior planners and technical specialists.

The role covers feasibility through to applications, with opportunities to gain experience across infrastructure, residential, and commercial projects.

Qualifications

• A degree in Town Planning or related discipline.
• Progress towards RTPI membership or MRTPI status.
• Experience preparing or supporting planning applications.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work within a team and manage priorities.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of planning projects from feasibility and site promotion through to planning applications, determination and post-consent activities.
• Prepare planning applications and supporting documentation for clients.
• Undertake planning policy research, engage with consultees and stakeholders, and manage project inputs.
• Work within multi-disciplinary project teams with environmental, engineering and design specialists.
• Develop client relationships and contribute to complex and high-profile schemes.

Skills

Planning policy

Policy research

Stakeholder engagement

Report writing

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Town Planning

RTPI MRTPI status (or progress)

Job description

Belfast or Edinburgh

Deliver High-Quality Planning Solutions Across the UK & Ireland

Tetra Tech is seeking to appoint a motivated and capable Town Planner to join our established and growing Planning team in Belfast or Ediburgh. This is an excellent opportunity for a planning professional looking to further develop their career within a leading multi-disciplinary consultancy, working on a diverse portfolio of projects across a range of sectors.

As part of a collaborative and supportive team, you will contribute to the delivery of planning advice and development proposals for clients across the UK and Ireland. You will gain exposure to a variety of projects, work closely with experienced planning professionals and technical specialists, and play an active role in guiding developments through the planning process.

Tetra Tech continues to experience strong growth across the region, creating exciting opportunities for planners who are looking to broaden their experience, develop their technical expertise and progress their careers within a dynamic consultancy environment.

Purpose & Scope of the Role

As a Town Planner, you will support the delivery of planning projects from initial feasibility and site promotion stages through to planning applications, determination and post-consent activities. Working alongside senior members of the team, you will contribute to a range of planning assignments while taking increasing responsibility for project tasks and client interactions.

The role will involve preparing planning applications and supporting documentation, undertaking planning policy research, engaging with consultees and stakeholders, and assisting with the management of projects through the planning process. You will work as part of multi-disciplinary project teams, collaborating with environmental, engineering and design specialists to deliver coordinated and effective planning solutions.

Depending on project requirements, there may be opportunities to gain experience across different planning jurisdictions and sectors, including infrastructure, residential, commercial, energy and environmental projects.

Your Impact in this Position

Through your technical skills, attention to detail and understanding of planning processes, you will contribute to the successful delivery of development proposals across a broad range of sectors.

Your work will support clients in navigating planning requirements, identifying opportunities and managing risks throughout the development process. By helping to prepare robust planning submissions and coordinating project inputs, you will play an important role in securing positive planning outcomes while continuing to develop your professional expertise.

As your confidence and capability grow, you will become increasingly involved in managing project responsibilities, developing client relationships and contributing to complex and high-profile schemes.

Your Toolkit for Success at Tetra Tech

Planning & Technical Expertise

You will have a solid understanding of planning policy and development management, gained within a consultancy, local authority or client-side environment. You will be comfortable undertaking planning research, preparing reports and planning statements, reviewing policy documents and providing well-reasoned planning advice with appropriate guidance and support. Experience of Environmental Impact Assessment, infrastructure projects or renewable energy developments would be advantageous but is not essential.

Project Delivery & Organisation

You will be organised and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously. You will take ownership of your work and ensure that deliverables are completed accurately, efficiently and to a high professional standard. You will contribute positively within project teams and demonstrate the ability to work both independently and collaboratively to support successful project delivery.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

You will communicate confidently and professionally with colleagues, clients, planning authorities and other stakeholders. Your interpersonal skills will help build effective working relationships and support positive project outcomes. You will be keen to further develop your client-facing skills and take increasing responsibility for meetings, discussions and project coordination activities.

Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration

You will enjoy working within diverse project teams, collaborating with colleagues from a range of technical disciplines to integrate planning, environmental and engineering considerations into development proposals. Your ability to coordinate information and contribute to team-based problem solving will be important in delivering well-rounded planning solutions.

Professional Communication & Reporting

You will produce clear, accurate and well-structured written outputs, including planning statements, appraisal reports, consultation responses and project correspondence. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and a professional approach to communication will underpin your success in the role.

Mandatory Requirements

You will hold a degree in Town Planning or a related discipline and will be working towards RTPI membership or have recently achieved MRTPI status. You will have demonstrable experience preparing or supporting planning applications and related submissions, together with a good understanding of planning policy and development management processes.

You will possess strong written and verbal communication skills, a high level of attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively within a team environment while managing competing priorities and project deadlines.

Desirable Experience

Experience gained within a planning consultancy environment would be advantageous, as would exposure to renewable energy, infrastructure or Environmental Impact Assessment projects. Knowledge of the Northern Ireland and/or Irish planning systems would also be beneficial, although this is not essential.

Work Patterns and Location

This role is based in Belfast or Edinburgh, with hybrid working arrangements available subject to business and project requirements. Tetra Tech supports flexible and agile working practices that help employees balance professional commitments with personal wellbeing.

Why join Tetra Tech?

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value. We provide a collaborative environment that supports individual performance, innovation, and creativity.

We support public and private sector clients on local, national, and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who are Leading with Science® to solve our clients’ most complex problems.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day-to-day role.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list and any submitted will be taken as a gift. Please refer to the careers page on our website if you require any further information.