Assistant Projects Town Planner

UK Power Networks; Maidstone; Hybrid; GBP 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading utilities company seeks a Consents Specialist to support obtaining necessary consents for their Capital Programme projects. The role requires strong negotiation and interpersonal skills, along with a commitment to safety. You will work with local planning authorities and stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of projects. Candidates should have GCSEs in Math, English, and Science, and a willingness to obtain further qualifications. Benefits include competitive salary, blended working, and generous annual leave.

Benefits

23 or 25 Days Annual Leave

Reservist Leave

Personal Pension Plan

Tax efficient benefits

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• GCSE Math's, English, Science Grade C or above.
• Willingness to obtain A Levels, Level 4 or equivalent.
• Experience in corporate and business practices.

Responsibilities

• Obtain necessary consents for Capital Programme projects.
• Support discussions with planning authorities and stakeholders.
• Implement Consents strategy with support.

Skills

Team player

Negotiation skills

Public relations skills

High safety awareness

Interpersonal awareness

Education

GCSE Math's, English, Science Grade C and above

A Levels or equivalent

Job description

You will be a Permanent employee reporting to the Consents & Stakeholder Engagement Manager within the Capital Programme based in our Bury St Edmunds, Crawley, Maidstone or London office.

You will attract a salary of £46,164 and a bonus of 3%. This role can also offer blended working after probationary period (6 months) – 3 days in the office and 2 remote.

Close Date: 11/02/2026

We also provide the following additional benefits:

• 23 or 25 Days Annual Leave plus bank holidays (depending on location)
• Reservist Leave – Additional 18 days full pay and 22 unpaid
• Personal Pension Plan – Personal contribution rates of 4% or 5% (UK Power Networks will make a corresponding contribution of 8% or 10%)
• Tenancy Loan Deposit Scheme, Season Ticket Loan
• Tax efficient benefits: Cycle to Work, Home & Tech, and Green Car Leasing Schemes
• Occupational Health support
• Switched On – scheme providing discount on hundreds of retailers' products
• Discounted gym membership
• Employee Assistance Programme

Job Purpose

To obtain the necessary consents associated with CPP instructions within a defined geographic footprint.

You will acquire consents under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the Highway Act 1980 and the Planning Act 2008 where they are necessary for delivering Capital Programme projects.

Dimensions

• No direct reports, supporting colleagues within Major Projects Consents team, Project Managers, Designers and Alliance staff.
• Undertake a 2 year internal training plan supported by the Consents Manager and Senior Town Planner.
• With support and guidance carry out discussions with local planning authorities, stakeholders and consultants about the development of UK Power Networks network infrastructure within Capital Programme.
• Make justifiable decisions in consultation with Project Managers and Consents surveyors as well as with the Consent Manager and Senior Town Planner about financial/project commitments, strategy and legal matters in association with Capital Programme projects.
• Carry out instructions to Network's Solicitor or external solicitors/partners in relation to legal agreements associated to the consents achieved (i.e. S106 or S278 agreements).

Principle Accountabilities

• Implement Consents strategy with support.
• Report important performance measures, as needed by the company.
• Implement processes concerning planning consents, highways consenting and environmental consenting. This includes achieving planning consent, prior approval for design and external appearance, S278 agreements for highways works and other environmental and statutory consents.
• Work with UK Power Networks' legal team, providing planning legal advice and practical advice regarding the consents strategies in the Capital Delivery portfolios.
• Maintain important external stakeholder relationships, in particular with Planning Authorities, Statutory undertakers and key community stakeholders.
• Represent Consents at meetings or workshops.
• Promote and help to develop an outstanding team culture with working relationships and communications within the team and across the Business.
• Ensure own safety – apply appropriate risk assessments and use of PPE correctly on all occasions.

Measure of Success

• To meet all individual Coaching requirements and Performance targets.
• Deliver all consents related projects with support.

Qualifications

Required

• GCSE Math's, English, Science Grade C and above (or equivalent).
• A Levels, Level 4 or 96 UCAS points equivalent (or willingness to obtain equivalent).
• High level of safety awareness and principles.
• Experience and awareness of corporate and business practices.
• High levels of interpersonal awareness and able to evidence pro-social behaviours.
• Team player and negotiator with excellent public relations and influencing skills.
• Evidence personal and professional development.

Desirable but not essential (training will be provided)

• Utilities Consenting experience and a technical understanding concerning the planning consenting process and environmental consenting.
• Town planning experience or qualification.
• Understand good stakeholder engagement principles, and how these can be applied to the planning consenting process.
• Experience of project management, particularly if this is related to the consenting process or within the utility sector.
• Awareness of primary and secondary legislation concerning utilities' operations; statutory instruments affecting electricity transmission and distribution assets.
• Awareness with the relationships between stakeholders in the electricity utility businesses – including government, environmental, statutory authorities and business departments and customers.

Health & Safety Responsibilities

Managers and supervisors carry both legal and company responsibilities for ensuring the health and safety of their employees, those under their control and those who might be affected by the work undertaken, i.e. public, visitors and employees of other organisations. This includes briefing individuals working for them and ensuring there is the necessary understanding, competence and application of requirements to work safely and without harming the environment.

Employees will ensure they understand the health and safety risks involved in their work activities and their responsibility to apply the controls needed to manage those risks to acceptable levels. Similarly where work activities can have an adverse impact upon the environment, and where there are legal requirements, employees will understand those impacts and the controls they must ensure are applied.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

If you have application, please contact us at [e-mail] quoting the vacancy reference number and a member of the team will get in touch with you as soon as possible.