Assistant National Consultant - Planning & Major Infrastructure

National Trust Group; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A national organization in Swindon seeks an Assistant National Consultant for planning support within a collaborative team. You will engage with planning legislation and assist in training efforts to enhance internal and regional planning capabilities. The role also includes relationship building with various stakeholders and contributing to policy responses. This position offers opportunities for hybrid working and substantial benefits including a pension and discounts for family members.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Gym membership discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Qualifications

• Planner with RTPI degree or progressing towards Chartered membership.
• Demonstrable knowledge of sustainable development and environmental issues.
• Ability to analyze and resolve spatial planning issues.

Responsibilities

• Support with planning legislation and policy changes.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Help organize training within the Planning team.

Skills

Experience with planning system

Relationship building skills

Organizational skills

Knowledge of legislation and policy

Analytical skills

Education

Accredited RTPI degree or progress toward Chartered RTPI membership

Job description

Overview

We’re looking for an Assistant National Consultant to join our national Planning & Major Infrastructure team to provide planning support and assist with training to national and regional colleagues alongside a Senior National Consultant. You’ll also support our engagement with and responses to planning legislation, policy and guidance reform across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

What it's like to work here

Working as part of a small national Planning & Major Infrastructure team you’ll join a tight-knit and collaborative group of planners and other professionals who work across all 3 nations and support the Trust’s engagement with the various aspects of the planning system. Your contractual location will be our head office in Swindon, however there will be an opportunity to explore and agree hybrid working arrangements which strike the right balance for you and the Trust. The role will involve travel to key office hubs and properties to meet with stakeholders and to carry out work.

What you'll be doing

Reporting to a Senior National Consultant in the Planning & Major Infrastructure team you’ll support with responding to a range of planning related legislation, policy and guidance changes, building effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders and colleagues to enable the development of robust and well-reasoned responses. You’ll help with identifying, devising and organising training for the Planning & Major Infrastructure team and others in the organisation. You’ll contribute to ensuring internal guidance and procedures are up to date, as well as capturing case studies and good practice. You’ll play a key role in supporting the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the central Planning and Major Infrastructure team through project coordination and support.

Who we're looking for

Applications from redeployments are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:

• A planner with an accredited RTPI degree or working towards Chartered RTPI membership with an interest in planning, landscape and heritage.
• Demonstrable experience of the planning system and how it functions at both local and national levels.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with excellent organisational skills and sound time management capability.
• Good knowledge and understanding of legislative and policy background to planning and experience of preparing positions and responses to planning issues.
• Ability to interpret and respond to internal and external research, evidence and analysis.

Additional criteria for all other applicants:

• Demonstrable knowledge of sustainable development, urban, rural and environmental issues, climate change matters and the planning system.
• Basic influencing, negotiating and communication skills, including external advocacy and networking.
• Ability to analyse, interpret and resolve spatial planning issues and to develop, report and where appropriate implement solutions.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

Location

National Trust place: Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NA

Documents

Assistant National Consultant - Planning & Major Infrastructure - Grade 7.pdf

Requirements

Compliance. Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 22 February 2026

Important notice

This vacancy is open to all National Trust employees. However, in line with our redeployment policy, we’ll prioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.

To apply for this vacancy simply click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of the page.

If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at [e-mail]

If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at [e-mail] and we\'ll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment process to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.