Senior / Principal Town Planner

We require a Senior / Principal Planner to join our progressive Planning and Environmental consenting team. The position will provide additional capacity to deliver our expanding workload and will play a key role in the development of our growing national business, linking in with other parts of the environmental and infrastructure business throughout Atkins. While the post would be based in our London office, there may be a requirement to work out of other UK offices, where the need arises, in order to meet the demands of fluctuating workloads. We provide a flexible working environment with opportunities to work from home and from our London office.

The position requires a Chartered Planner (or equivalent) combining an excellent track record in planning with particular experience in providing advice to our growing markets in the development, transportation, energy and water sectors.

The position offers the opportunity to work as a key member of our planning team to deliver a wide range of planning applications, Transport and Works Act Order submissions, Development Consent Orders, development feasibility and evidence based studies. 

To find out about our recent, varied and interesting planning projects see our Planning Brochure.

• Preparation of planning applications and relevant supporting documents for a range of development proposals, including planning applications, Transport and Works Act Orders and Development Consent Order applications;

• Negotiation of planning submissions through the consenting process;

• Preparation of strategy and policy documents, evidence-based studies and associated advice; 

• Preparation of area based studies or plans (eg masterplans, SPDs);

• Identification, development and pursuit of new business and marketing opportunities across a range of sectors;

• Preparation of tender responses; 

• Provision of planning advice to external and internal clients;

• Co-ordination of and / or input into EIAs; 

• Management of project or tender opportunities; 

• Resource allocation in liaison with the regional manager; and 

• Management / mentoring of junior staff.

• A relevant planning degree and full RTPI membership (or related / equivalent qualifications / professional membership). 

• Working in planning practice, a local authority planning team or similar relevant experience is required.

• Sound knowledge of planning law and procedures, including the changing planning system at national, regional and local levels; 

• Working knowledge or experience of the TWAO / Development Consent Order process is required;

• Experience in the management and delivery of multi-disciplinary planning projects;

• Capability to work alongside and co-ordinate a range of technical specialists providing input into planning submissions and EIAs. 

The Individual 

This is an exciting opportunity for the successful applicant to utilise and develop their planning knowledge by working within a busy and expanding Planning team, in its response to a wide range of opportunities. The individual will have: 

• Ability to work under pressure, with excellent time management and success in meeting tight deadlines. 

• Ability to manage multiple assignments.

• Confident team worker, while able to work on your own initiative with limited supervision.

• Able to work well as part of multi-disciplinary teams and the confidence to input effectively as an individual across a range of projects.

• Ability to prepare accurate reports to a high standard. 

• Strong verbal communication skills and the aptitude to rationally explain, explore and discuss town planning issues. 

• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, determined and resilient.

• Flexibility to be able to apply knowledge and experience to a variety of planning related tasks.

• Commercial awareness and business development skills would be advantageous. 

Atkins develops individuals through a portfolio of training and development activities designed to help you make the best of your abilities and talents. These are reviewed with individuals through an annual appraisal process. We actively support staff in achieving chartership and corporate membership of relevant institutions.

Please refer to our website for details of our full benefits package.