Public Affairs jobs in United Kingdom

Reading, Berkshire

£-Attractive salary plus discretionary bonus and company car

Our client is an award winning, independently owned waste management operator. A vacancy currently exists for a Planning and Development Manager to join the company’s Estates team where you’ll play a key role in delivering a diverse range of projects across the waste, minerals, renewable energy, and sustainability industries.

Reporting to the Head of Estates, your main duties will include :

• Securing planning permissions and statutory consents to support the efficient delivery of operational activities across the company’s sites.
• Identifying and leading value-adding development opportunities that enhance the long-term potential of the company.
• Staying informed on innovations in waste management, recycling, and quarrying to assess their suitability for implementation at company sites.
• Assessing site feasibility by evaluating planning constraints, financial viability, and market potential in collaboration with the Senior Planning and Development Manager, Assistant Estates Surveyor & Assistant Planning & Development Manager.
• Preparing and submitting planning applications, EIAs, and managing external consultants when required.
• Providing planning advice and compliance guidance to support informed decision-making.
• Monitoring and keeping under review all planning conditions affecting the company’s sites and, where appropriate, applying for their variation or removal.
• Managing post‑consent legal agreements (e.g. S106, S278, S38), coordinating with the PED team to ensure agreements are delivered in a timely manner.
• Monitoring local development plans and, in consultation with the Head of Estates, making submissions where appropriate to protect and promote the interests of the company.
• Being part of liaison groups and, in consultation with the Marketing team, undertaking Public Affairs activity to support existing facilities and promote proposed developments.
• Supporting the operational divisions within the business through the discharge of planning conditions.

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a planning or development role
• Degree accredited by RTPI and / or RICS, with membership or actively working towards membership of the relevant professional body.
• Strong interest in the waste, recycling, minerals, or broader sustainability sectors.
• Solid understanding of planning processes, including EIA applications and planning appeals.
• Confident communicator with strong written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to interpret financial models and support business cases.
• Technically proficient in the use of AutoCAD, MS Office and other planning tools.
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Full UK driving licence.

This is a full-time, permanent role, working 9am-5 : 30pm, Mon-Fri.

Ref: J9588