Town Planning & Consents Lead (Infrastructure Planning) - Major Projects

WSP; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy in Birmingham is seeking experienced town planners to lead consenting inputs on significant infrastructure projects. Successful candidates will manage multi-disciplinary teams, provide technical advice, and act as project directors. The role offers a hybrid working policy, a focus on inclusivity and development, and an opportunity to work on impactful projects across various sectors.

Benefits

Hybrid working policy

Flex time options

Support for health and wellbeing

Development and training opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams to secure approvals for major infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrable experience in project finances.
• Experience in complex negotiations with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead consenting inputs on major infrastructure projects.
• Act as Project Director for managed projects.
• Act as Planning Expert Witness at examinations.

Skills

Leading consenting inputs on major infrastructure projects

Providing technical advice to clients

Coordinating the preparation and submission of consent applications

Strong understanding of project finances

Sound project management experience

Education

Degree level qualification in town planning (or equivalent)

Member of (or eligible for) the RTPI

Job description

Overview

At WSP, you can grow and work on meaningful challenges with a global reach. WSP is a consultancy employing a large number of chartered town planners across the UK, operating in the infrastructure and property markets. The Infrastructure Planning Team is expanding, with 2024 awards from National Grid as part of the Great Grid Partnership, Nuclear Waste Services, and other clients, establishing a strong foundation for 2025. Our key clients include East West Rail, EET Fuels, Eni UK, National Gas, SSE, Scottish Power Renewables, Severn Trent Water, Southern Water, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, and others. The team focuses on consenting for energy, renewables, nuclear, net zero, water, rail and transportation and aviation sectors.

We are looking for experienced town planners or consents specialists to join the team to lead consenting inputs on major and nationally significant infrastructure projects. Successful candidates will have demonstrable experience leading multi-disciplinary teams to secure approvals for major and nationally significant infrastructure projects under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Planning Act 2008. We are also interested in candidates with experience securing consents for major projects under the Planning (Wales) Act 2015, Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, Transport and Works Act Order, or the Electricity Act.

To find out more about our Infrastructure Planning business, please consider how this role fits within WSP.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

• Leading consenting inputs on major infrastructure projects (DCOs, DNSs, TWAOs, etc.).
• Providing technical advice to clients and managing their consenting requirements.
• Co-ordinating the preparation and submission of consent applications under the Town and Country Planning Acts, the Planning Act 2008, or other regimes as listed above.
• Acting as Project Director for projects led and managed by the Infrastructure Planning and Engagement business.
• Leading complex negotiations with statutory bodies and stakeholders on behalf of clients.
• Acting as Planning Expert Witness at DCO examinations or other hearings or inquiries.
• Supporting the Service Line Director and Sector Leads to pursue new work opportunities in line with WSP’s Growth Strategy and taking on a Sector Leadership role as appropriate.
• Line management / mentoring of colleagues to support project delivery.
• Degree level qualification in town planning (or equivalent).
• Member of (or eligible for) the RTPI.
• Strong understanding of project finances.
• Sound project management experience, ideally within a consultancy environment.

Don't quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.

About Us

We are one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 people are united by a common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on communities through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and driven by international expertise.

What’s in it for you?

Work-life balance

We understand work is just one aspect of life. We offer a hybrid working policy with the flexibility to work from home two days a week, plus opportunities to collaborate in modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We encourage people to bring their whole, authentic selves to work. We celebrate integrity, treat people with respect, and promote inclusion and belonging. We have employee resource groups to support a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We support your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service provides access to a GP when you need it, and we offer reasonable workplace adjustments, Gymflex (up to 40% off gym memberships), and menopause support.

Flex your time

We offer "WSP My Hour" to take one hour per day for personal activities, with flexibility to adjust time within the day. We also provide part-time and flexible working, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use bank holiday entitlement as needed.

Your development

We invest in development and training through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

We encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, 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 and can arrange workplace adjustments on request.