Senior Town Planner

WSP Global Inc.; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - GBP 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in Manchester seeks a Planner to support development opportunities and project management. Ideal candidates will have a degree in town planning, strong analytical and communication skills, and experience in planning applications. This position offers the opportunity to work on significant projects and contribute to a growing team dedicated to delivering impactful solutions. The firm values collaboration and innovation, encouraging candidates to apply to shape a better future.

Qualifications

• Private sector consultancy and/or local authority experience.
• Proven ability to deliver to a high standard.
• Desire to learn and contribute to team success.

Responsibilities

• Support early consideration of site/development opportunities.
• Prepare scopes of work for fee proposals and tenders.
• Lead smaller projects, preparing and submitting planning consents.
• Engage directly with stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes.
• Support on planning appeal casework.

Skills

Planning applications/appeals

Strong communication skills

Critical thinking

Analytical skills

Collaboration and organization

Education

Degree level qualification in town planning or equivalent

Job description

What if you could shape a career as unique as you?

At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

The Planning Consultancy team in Central Manchester specialise in providing commercial planning advice to a wide range of private and public sector clients. It is an established 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/town centre regeneration, tall buildings, high density housing and strategic land promotion to retail development, new schools, social infrastructure projects, sports and leisure, logistics, major business parks, listed building reuse and social infrastructure delivery. We act for developers, land owners, home builders, registered providers, financial institutions, strategic promoters, retailers and operators. We are proud to be involved in leading some of the region’s largest and most high‑profile schemes including Eden Project, Therme (Trafford), the South East Warrington Urban Extension and Leighton Hospital.

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

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

As one of the world’s leading engineering, professional services and technical consultancy firms, at WSP, we’re passionate about the big questions. And big answers, naturally. For us that’s all about reaching beyond the expected, to do work that’ll make a profound impact felt long into the future.

A little more about your role…

• Supporting on early consideration of potential site/development opportunities presented by clients
• Preparing scopes of work and inputting into fee proposals and/or larger tender opportunities
• Exposure to clients, co‑professional advisors (internal) and other consultants (external) to ensure planning objectives can be achieved
• Attending site visits
• Leading of smaller projects including preparing, submitting and negotiating planning consents across a range of project types and sectors
• Supporting Directors on larger or more complex projects, but with exposure to clients, design teams and co‑workers to drive project workstreams forward
• Direct engagement with a full range of stakeholders on projects in securing successful outcomes
• Preparing and submitting planning applications, including delivery of public engagement services
• Supporting on planning appeal casework
• Working with colleagues across our socio‑economic, heritage and EIA specialisms, to deliver end to end planning services.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

• Ideally you will be IHBC and/or RPTI accredited.
• Degree level qualification in town planning (or equivalent).
• Strong technical skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong collaborative, communicative and organisational skills
• A commercial approach to planning consultancy and development and the opportunities it can realise
• A desire to work in a growing planning team, surrounded and supported by a raft of fellow professionals.
• Drive and determination.
• Planning Consultancy of the Year winners, commended and finalists – Championing the power of planning

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?

With us, you can. Apply today.