Principal Planning Consultant in Tamworth

We are seeking a Principal Planning Consultant for work on a diverse range of projects across the minerals, waste and environmental sectors. Hybrid work schedule (3 days office, 2 wfh).

Responsibilities

• To direct and input to projects and provide guidance to the team in the Planning Department in respect of reviews of Planning policy and legislation and the preparation of EIA and mitigation measures and planning applications.
• Review external documents, databases and reports to collate and present information for project assessments including the preparation of information for complex and multi-disciplinary projects and legal related project works.
• Assess the risks and liabilities associated with sites and development for a variety of purposes including pre-acquisition due diligence and insurance.
• Collation of information required to support planning applications.
• Lead teams of sub consultants and liaise with regulatory authorities as necessary during projects.
• To input as appropriate to the preparation of environmental permit applications.
• Supervision of colleagues undertaking research including the collation and presentation of information and checking the quality and accuracy information prepared by colleagues.
• Keeping up to date with a detailed knowledge of environmental guidance and legislation and implications this may have associated with the objectives of relevant areas of project work.
• Managing the preparation of research findings, site information and data clearly and precisely to a good standard of written work including correspondence, reports or other written work as required by the Company, responsible for the quality of their own work and checking the technical information prepared by colleagues, including technical and senior proofing and appropriate final proofing.
• The preparation of technical documentation for public inquiries, legal and expert opinion work.
• Undertaking a range of duties arising out of the overall workload of the Company.

Personal effectiveness, interpersonal skills and development

• Manage, prioritise and organise own workloads, cooperate with colleagues, assist colleagues in a way that ensures the most efficient use of time.
• Engage and communicate with colleagues to seek and provide feedback on project work, to act on the advice and provide advice and to be able to continue to improve and develop when applied to future project work.
• Experience of complex and multiple site project management and collating ideas, solutions and options from the team for project work and formulate recommendations for project work.
• Performance of line management duties, assessing training needs of colleagues, mentoring and inhouse training of colleagues, authorisation of annual leave and timely completion of review meetings and annual appraisals.
• Responsibility for completion of own CPD records to demonstrate actively working towards improving skills through continuous learning and development activities.
• Chartership or similar qualification with a professional body/institution.
• Attendance at in-house seminars and training, undertakes self-directed study in relevant areas of work including keeping up to date with key legislation and guidance and attendance at agreed external training events and disseminating relevant information to the department.

Project management, finance and commercialism

• Liaison with clients and regulatory authorities at an operational and strategic level and provision of key advice/recommendation to clients including attendance at meetings.
• Provide advice and support with the operational management of the department, including review / assessment of resources and assistance to strategic management.
• Liaison with the Technical Director and the HR department in the recruitment and selection of staff to join the department.
• Planning project works and programme, managing own time and responsible for effective project management to budget and time including works carried out by colleagues.
• Preparation and/or management of research information for complex and major proposals, contract documentation, budgets and programmes of work.
• Managing project work carried out in accordance with procedures in the Company quality management systems, making sure project related documentation is administered appropriately, providing feedback and corrective actions where necessary for improvement.
• Responsible for financial management and setting project budgets and managing changes to budgets.
• Excellent knowledge of information about services provided by their department in the company to clients and has a good knowledge of the services provide by other departments.
• To represent the company at business and social events occasionally and promote the company’s services and interests at all opportunities.
• Engaging with professional bodies/trade organisation to provide contribution and working towards more involvement / or actively involved with these organisation.

Candidate Specification

• Ideally MSc qualification in relevant subject area if Planning is not the first degree.
• Professional membership of RTPI or CIWM.
• Planning and EIA experience is essential.
• Previous consultancy or private sector experience is desirable.
• Experience in minerals and waste is desirable.
• Previous line management experience is desirable.
• Ability to supervise a range of practical works and/or others undertaking field works.
• High standards of written work and overseeing work prepared by colleagues.
• Computer literate.
• Experience of implementing Quality Management Systems throughout the project.
• Experience of project management and financial control including preparing, working to and amending budgets.
• Good project management, administrative, communication and organisational skills.
• UK Driving License.