Town Planner

About WSP

WSP is one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. With 72,800 passionate people united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve, we operate across the UK and Ireland with over 9,000 professionals dedicated to local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

About the Planning Consultancy Team

As one of the largest and best respected planning teams in the UK, WSP's Planning Consultancy team specialises in providing commercial planning advice to a wide range of private and public sector clients. We are a growing front end development team which advises on development proposals throughout all stages of the planning process from feasibility, plan promotion, application, EIA and appeal.

Our projects range from complex city centre regeneration sites, tall buildings, strategic housing promotion, repurposing town centres, retail development, sports and leisure, logistics and major business parks, through to detailed listed building reuse. We act for developers, land owners, home builders, registered providers, financial institutions, strategic promoters, retailers and operators, and are proud to be involved in leading some of the UK's largest and most high-profile schemes.

About the Role

You will be a Planner with good knowledge and experience of the planning process including planning applications, permitted development, policy frameworks, plan promotion and the appeal process. You will be well versed in using critical thinking to prepare planning appraisals and strategies, the preparation of all planning documentation for developments, and the associated negotiations with planning authorities and stakeholders.

You will have demonstrable experience with the confidence and initiative to run projects yourself, but also work within a team on large scale projects. You will have an appetite for business development and ideally private sector experience, though this is not a pre-requisite.

Responsibilities

• Devise planning strategies, assess site's planning history and relevant planning policies contained within a development plan, as well as national planning policy and guidance
• Prepare briefing notes that set out the likelihood of achieving planning permission for housing or employment uses
• Draft planning statements in a clear and persuasive way, to support development proposals
• Lead planning aspects in multidisciplinary teams delivering planning projects
• Attend site visits, design team and client meetings
• Manage project delivery and budgetary control
• Work collaboratively with colleagues from across WSP, for example in the Transport or Sustainability Teams, to ensure their advice is factored into the combined advice provided to clients
• Monitor planning applications and liaise with clients and teams to respond to consultation feedback
• Attend events and support business development activity

What We're Looking For

• Degree level qualification in town planning (or equivalent)
• Member of (or eligible for) the RTPI
• Strong technical skills
• A commercial approach to planning consultancy and development
• A desire to work in a growing planning team, surrounded and supported by a raft of fellow professionals
• Strong organisational and communication skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Drive and determination

We are looking to recruit enthusiastic team players with a can do attitude. Candidates should have some private sector consultancy or local authority experience, a proven ability to deliver to a high standard, strong communication skills, passion to share their knowledge and a desire to learn and contribute to the on-going success of our team.

What's In It For You

Work-life balance

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK. We also offer the "WSP My Hour," allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote our culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That's why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

Equal Opportunities

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, 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. Please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.