At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major infrastructure planning projects and collaborate with diverse teams.
- Company: Join AECOM, a global leader in infrastructure consulting.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work options, competitive salary, and professional growth opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with access to prestigious projects across the UK.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable infrastructure projects that shape communities.
- Qualifications: Degree in Town Planning and experience in large infrastructure projects required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
We have an opportunity for a Principal Town Planner to work on infrastructure planning projects across the UK, with a particular expertise and focus on DCO projects. We have an impressive portfolio of involvement in major infrastructure projects, including delivery of projects through various consenting regimes including DCOs. We are currently leading on planning applications for renewables and wider energy/electricity related infrastructure, transport, defence, water and much more.
You will be able to work on a range of prestigious infrastructure projects for our clients in the energy transition, rail and water development sectors, as well as a range of regional and local developments. AECOM is a market leader in UK infrastructure development, with experience of over 80 DCO projects. Join us now and you could be working on:
- numerous solar DCOs with a pipeline of future work;
- carbon capture and storage projects;
- energy transmission schemes;
- large aviation and rail projects;
- housing and mixed-use development consenting.
As our Town Planning team is national, and we support hybrid working we are flexible in terms of base location. The role can be based from our offices in Basingstoke, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Chesterfield, Leeds, London Aldgate, Manchester, Nottingham and Plymouth, with an option for hybrid working.
You will be joining a great team; you will have an interesting and diverse workload and you will be given the opportunity to make the most of your abilities.
Here’s what you’ll do:
- Lead and assist in the delivery of major development applications.
- Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams across various project types.
- Submit and manage planning applications, including liaising and negotiating with local planning authorities and key stakeholders.
- Provide planning advice to colleagues and clients on consent requirements and permitted development rights.
- Produce planning feasibility reports and consent strategies.
- Write Planning Statements and Design and Access Statements for development applications.
- Contribute to business development in specific market sectors, including sector strategy.
- Identify opportunities and build client relationships.
- Lead and contribute to the preparation of successful commercial tenders.
- Work closely with the Environmental Impact Assessment team.
- Participate in internal and external meetings with stakeholders.
- Oversee project management, ensuring quality and adherence to health and safety principles.
AECOM’s rapidly growing Town Planning team plays a key role in delivering major infrastructure and development projects. AECOM is a top ten UK planning consultancy by size, employing more than 70 Chartered or Licentiate Planners. AECOM is also a worldwide leader in environmental and engineering consultancy and working as a planning consultant within AECOM means access to some of the highest profile and prestigious development projects in the UK.
Qualifications:
- Degree in Town Planning or a related discipline.
- Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or an equivalent professional body.
- Significant relevant experience of leading applications for planning consent for large infrastructure projects across a range of consenting regimes.
- Client focus, with good interpersonal skills and a collaborative working approach.
- Existing relationships with clients and local authorities.
- A business development mindset, with demonstrable experience of work winning and developing relationships with existing and new clients.
- Ability to write clearly and concisely.
- Ability to work on your own initiative and under pressure.
- High level of commitment to quality.
Interested in the role or curious about life at AECOM? Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more!
Principal Town Planner employer: AECO
At AECOM, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that fosters professional growth and innovation. With hybrid working options and a diverse portfolio of prestigious infrastructure projects, our employees enjoy the flexibility to thrive while making a tangible impact on communities across the UK. Join us to collaborate with top-tier professionals in a supportive environment where your contributions are valued and your career can flourish.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Town Planner
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from AECO who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Town Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at AECO!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to AECO. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at AECO
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at AECO.
