Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning policy projects and manage a dynamic team to drive business growth.
- Company: Join AECOM, a top UK planning consultancy with a commitment to equity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-profile development projects while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in planning policy, project management, and strong interpersonal skills.
- Other info: Flexible full-time or part-time roles available across multiple locations.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Principal Town Planner – Policy
Company: AECOM
At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world by improving infrastructure, ensuring clean water, and transforming skylines to help people and communities thrive. We are a leading global infrastructure consulting firm partnering with clients to solve complex challenges and build lasting legacies.
Job Description
Due to a significant increase in planning policy project wins and new opportunities, we are looking to bring in a Principal Planner to work with senior colleagues to manage our growing workload. We need an outstanding consultant with proven experience in planning policy and strategy, project management, and a commitment to high‑quality work and business growth.
You will be based in our flagship London Aldgate Tower office, though other locations may be considered, including Basingstoke, Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge, Chesterfield, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, and Plymouth.
We operate a hybrid working model allowing flexibility between office and home work. This position is available on either a full‑time or part‑time basis.
Key Responsibilities
- Team Leadership and Development
- Participate in the successful operation and management of the town planning team.
- Planning Strategy and Expertise
- Lead and assist on key planning policy projects, supporting local authority policy and strategy development, coordination and delivery of local plan evidence studies, strategic growth studies, infrastructure strategies, and other policy and strategy commissions.
- Offer strategic planning advice to other client and internal teams.
- Provide effective representation for the organisation, developing and managing relationships with clients, local authorities and other stakeholders through project work and attendance at conferences and networking events.
- Share technical knowledge and excellence.
- Project Management
- Ensure projects are delivered successfully on budget and within programme timelines.
- Coordinate multi‑disciplinary teams for seamless project execution.
- Quality Assurance and Compliance
- Oversee the deliverables produced by the planning policy team.
- Implement and uphold quality assurance and health and safety principles.
- Business Development
- Contribute to the business development strategy, nurturing client relationships.
- Lead and assist in the preparation of commercial tenders to secure new opportunities.
About Our Team
AECOM is a top‑ten UK planning consultancy by size, employing more than 70 Chartered or Licentiate Planners. We deliver complex, high‑profile development and regeneration projects for public and private sector clients. Our work includes:
- Sub-Regional Spatial Plans – Leading growth studies and evidence bases for plans and policy, including the OxCam Arc, Thames Estuary, Hertfordshire, and the East Midlands.
- Local Plans – Supporting over 100 local authorities with plan evidence, secondments, critical friend support, and coordinated interdisciplinary teams.
- Strategic Masterplans – Masterplanning new garden communities totalling nearly 100,000 homes, such as South Manydown in Basingstoke and Naas North West Quadrant in Ireland.
- Neighbourhood Planning – Supporting hundreds of local communities with scoping, evidence production, stakeholder engagement, appraisal, option development, plan production, design, delivery, adoption, monitoring, and overall project management.
Qualifications
- Experience
- Significant relevant experience in leading and contributing to planning policy and strategy development in a consultancy or public sector role.
- Client & Stakeholder Relations
- 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 winning work and developing relationships with existing and new clients.
- Skills
- Ability to produce high‑quality technical reports and excellent communication skills.
- Ability to work on your own initiative and under pressure.
- Quality & Commitment
- High level of commitment to quality.
- Education & Professional Memberships
- Degree in Town Planning or a related discipline, and membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or equivalent professional body.
Additional Information
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 more.
For further information about the role, reach out to the recruiter on LinkedIn: Anne Marie Flynn.
Equal Opportunity Employer
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours. We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long‑term condition. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Job Details
ReqID: J10135113
Business Line: Environment
Business Group: DCS
Strategic Business Unit: Europe & India
Career Area: Planning
Work Location Model: Hybrid
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Principal Town Planner - Policy employer: AECOM
Contact Detail:
AECOM Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Town Planner - Policy
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, conferences, and local meet-ups to connect with potential employers and colleagues. Don’t be shy—introduce yourself and share your passion for planning policy!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your previous projects and successes in planning policy. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your strategic thinking skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your experience in project management and client relations.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Tailor your application to highlight your commitment to quality and business development mindset—let’s grow together!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Town Planner - Policy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in planning policy and strategy. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Project Management Skills: Since this role involves managing projects, be sure to include examples of your project management experience. We love seeing how you’ve successfully delivered projects on time and within budget, so share those success stories!
Highlight Your Interpersonal Skills: This position requires strong interpersonal skills, so don’t forget to mention your experience in building relationships with clients and stakeholders. We’re looking for someone who can effectively represent our organisation, so let that shine through!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at AECOM
✨Know Your Planning Policies
Make sure you brush up on the latest planning policies and strategies relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with recent projects that AECOM has been involved in, as well as any local authority initiatives. This will show your genuine interest and understanding of the field.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully managed planning policy projects in the past. Highlight your ability to deliver on time and within budget, and be ready to discuss how you coordinate multi-disciplinary teams for seamless execution.
✨Demonstrate Interpersonal Skills
Since this role involves client and stakeholder relations, think of instances where you've built strong relationships or resolved conflicts. Be prepared to discuss how you can effectively represent the organisation and nurture client relationships.
✨Prepare for Business Development Questions
As business development is a key part of the role, come equipped with ideas on how you could contribute to AECOM's growth. Think about your experience in winning work and developing new client relationships, and be ready to share your insights on potential opportunities.
