Associate Planner

Associate Planner - Hiring now!

We are an independent and forward-thinking multi-disciplinary consultancy which provides exceptional planning, design, and environmental services across the United Kingdom, underpinned by regional knowledge, service-specific expertise, and strong client relationships.

Be part of a leading consultancy that shapes spaces for the better, co-creates social and environmental value, and provides a vibrant workplace full of opportunity.

The Role:

As an Associate you will take a leadership role on planning applications and projects and coordinating and overseeing projects. You will take a role in assisting the Regional Director and Associate Directors in developing the team’s core competencies and continue to extend your technical and mentoring skills.

• Preparing and submitting planning applications.
• Preparing written local plan representations.
• Undertaking site inspections and assessing the merits of proposals.
• Giving guidance to engineers/architects on the production of drawings and supplementary information in relation to planning submissions.
• Submitting planning appeals and leading on written representations appeals and contributing to appeal hearings as required.
• Project managing a mix of planning submissions and appeals
• Technical planning work including liaising with client, preparing fee proposals, policy research.
• Understands the importance of financial success and takes responsibility to act in the interest of achieving it.
• Responsible for interpreting, organising, researching, analysing and executing a major project and / or medium scale projects.
• Provides fee control, technical direction and effectively manages senior client liaison.
• Provides guidance on complex technical issues to ensure projects are delivered within budget and on time.
• Manages medium projects or several small ones with complex features.
• Negotiation of the best terms for the business including strong awareness and management of legal and contractual aspects.
• Able to generate a high proportion of their own workload through a good understanding of our market, our services and has a high degree of input into preparation of project proposals.
• Develops and implements innovative and creative methods to enhance our solutions and overall project outcomes.
• Responsible for the day-to-day management and wellbeing of team of resource, project, or activity within specifically identified responsibilities.
• Has a range of management and leadership skills but may have had limited management experience.
• Maintains a commitment to CPD and is involved in the continuous improvement of the performance of others through a variety of means including mentoring.
• Performs a variety of complex technical, professional, and commercial activities.
• Expanding networks and creating relationships with key stakeholders including local authorities
• Develops good client, contractor and supplier relationships as well as having an internal network of colleagues who they collaborate effectively with to ensure the most successful outcome for the project/client.
• Demonstrates clear leadership and technical capability with the ability to influence and persuade others at all levels.
• Able to prepare and present clearly, cogently, and convincingly to a variety of audiences using a variety of different media.
• Builds and consolidates networks within the industry and across internal network to enhance understanding & knowledge of expertise.
• Develops and implements innovative and creative methods to enhance our solutions and overall project outcomes.
• Is an ambassador and ensures a great client experience, whether it is internal or external.
• Able to generate a high proportion of their own workload through a good understanding of our market, our services and has a high degree of input into preparation of project proposals.
• Develops and implements innovative and creative methods to enhance our solutions and overall project outcomes.
• Negotiation of the best terms for the business including strong awareness and management of legal and contractual aspects.
• Responsible for day-to-day management of section or project budgets including WIP on projects within area of responsibility.

Ideally the successful candidate will:

• An RTPI accredited degree or Masters in a related discipline
• Preferably a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute or be working towards it.
• Ideally at least two years’ post qualification experience in a relevant role.
• At least two years working in the planning industry, in either the public or private sector
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Strong client liaison ability
• Strong negotiation and commercial etiquette
• Project management skills
• Strong report writing skills and experience of delivering recommendations
• Advanced understanding of the UK planning process

We thrive to provide benefits, which benefit including:

Looking after your health:

• Private medical insurance - via vitality healthcare
• BUPA medical Cash plan
• Discounted Gym memberships
• Employee Assistance Program - access to qualified professionals around health and financial

Improving your day to day:

• Enhanced annual leave entitlement
• Loyalty leave - accruable service days
• Hybrid working environment
• Discounts on products and perks, such as Amazon Prime, Odeon or VUE, cafe Nero, Apple, Itsu and supermarkets.

Continuous reward along the way:

• A Company bonus scheme - rewarding for growth
• Defined promotion windows throughout the year
• Team celebration events and socials

Protecting the future:

• Enhanced company pension, looking after your future
• Death in service cover, securing others future

Enabling your progression:

• Professional body membership cover
• Exclusive access to E-learning content
• Protected CPD time (individual and company)
• Defined career progression framework

Apply now to find out more!