Town Planning Associate Director - Infrastructure

Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure consultancy is seeking an Associate Director in Leeds to manage consent processes for national projects across energy and transport sectors. You will lead large-scale projects, mentor teams, and provide strategic advice to various clients. The role offers flexible hybrid working, career progression, and a comprehensive benefits package, allowing you to influence transformative infrastructure projects in the UK.

Benefits

Flexible hybrid working

Career progression

Generous benefits package

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in infrastructure consenting, ideally including NSIP, DCO, or related frameworks.
• Proven ability to manage complex, large-scale projects from inception to delivery.
• Strong technical understanding of UK planning and environmental legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead on the preparation and delivery of major infrastructure consent applications.
• Provide strategic planning and consenting advice to clients across multiple infrastructure sectors.
• Manage and mentor multi-disciplinary teams, fostering collaboration and professional growth.

Skills

Project management

Negotiation

Leadership

Infrastructure consenting

Education

Chartered Planner (MRTPI) or equivalent

Job description

A leading infrastructure and planning consultancy is seeking an Associate Director to join its expanding Infrastructure division. This senior role offers the chance to shape and deliver nationally significant projects across energy, transport, and major infrastructure sectors - supporting some of the UK's most ambitious development programmes.

You’ll lead the coordination and delivery of large-scale consent processes working closely with public and private sector clients, investors, and multi-disciplinary project teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on the preparation and delivery of major infrastructure consent applications, including DCOs, TWAOs, and TCPA projects
• Provide strategic planning and consenting advice to clients across multiple infrastructure sectors
• Oversee project programmes, budgets, and technical outputs with autonomy and accountability
• Manage and mentor multi-disciplinary teams, fostering collaboration and professional growth
• Represent clients and the consultancy at public examinations, hearings, and stakeholder meetings
• Drive business development through networking, industry engagement, and thought leadership
• Work alongside senior colleagues to strengthen market presence and expand client relationships

What You’ll Bring

• Chartered Planner (MRTPI) or equivalent professional qualification
• Extensive experience in infrastructure consenting, ideally including NSIP, DCO, or related frameworks
• Proven ability to manage complex, large-scale projects from inception to delivery
• Strong technical understanding of UK planning and environmental legislation
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills
• Commercial awareness and confidence in client engagement and business development
• Flexibility to travel for client meetings and project work across the UK

Why Apply?

This is an exceptional opportunity to join one of the UK's most forward-thinking infrastructure planning teams, working on nationally significant and future-focused projects. The role offers flexible hybrid working, career progression, and a generous benefits package - alongside the chance to influence some of the country's most transformative infrastructure programmes.

When applying to any role through Cobalt, your CV will never be shared with a client without your prior consent. Apply in confidence below or get in touch with me for a confidential discussion about the position via [e-mail] or 07458161399.