At a Glance
- Tasks: Support planning permissions for digital infrastructure projects across the UK.
- Company: Join Dalcour Maclaren, a leader in sustainable utilities and infrastructure.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Engage in exciting projects with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on connectivity and sustainability while developing your career.
- Qualifications: RICS accredited degree and a proactive attitude required.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 32000 £ per year.
At Dalcour Maclaren, we are key players in the Utilities and Infrastructure industry, bringing the UK and Ireland closer to Net Zero every day. Our land, environmental and geospatial experts work together to unlock the consents needed by our clients to deliver key projects. Our services include land access and assembly, agricultural liaison, planning, environmental impact assessments and geospatial mapping. Join us and play your part in helping us to achieve our vision – to be the professional services team of choice, leading the Utilities and Infrastructure industry to a sustainable future.
Dalcour Maclaren is an innovative and highly dynamic multi-disciplinary consultancy working on a huge range of exciting and diverse projects for a growing client base within Utilities and Infrastructure – including HS2, offshore wind farms, and nuclear energy. We are immensely proud to be working on some of the largest infrastructure projects across the UK and beyond, shaping the future of our planet. By joining our team you help the earth become more sustainable and reach NetZero by 2050.
The Graduate Surveying Programme ensures our graduates achieve qualified status through either the MRICS (APC) or AssocRICS (ATC) pathways. The training programme, coupled with on-the-job experience, enables graduates to realise their full potential as a working professional and achieve their ambition to become leading surveyors of the future.
As a Graduate Planner you’ll work within our Digital Infrastructure planning team, helping to deliver planning permissions that enable improved connectivity across the UK. You’ll support the planning and delivery of telecommunications and digital infrastructure projects – from small-scale urban installations to national network upgrades – while developing technical planning knowledge and professional confidence. You’ll be involved throughout the planning process, acting as an important link between clients, local authorities and stakeholders to secure permissions and keep projects moving. This hands-on role in a fast-growing sector offers early responsibility and exposure to technically and politically interesting projects.
A day in the life of a Graduate Planner could involve any of the following:
- Preparing planning applications: drafting and submitting applications for a range of digital infrastructure developments, including telecoms sites, rooftop installations, mast upgrades and street-level technologies.
- Planning statements and reports: writing planning statements, supporting documents and appeal submissions that clearly set out the planning case.
- Site appraisals and feasibility work: assisting with early-stage site assessments to understand planning risk, constraints and opportunities.
- Liaising with local authorities: engaging with planning officers, consultees and other stakeholders to progress applications and resolve issues.
- Managing applications: monitoring live applications, responding to officer queries and supporting negotiations where required.
- Permitted development and full planning: gaining experience across different planning routes and regulatory frameworks.
- Site visits and surveys: undertaking street-level surveys, verifying constraints and understanding schemes in context.
- Appeals and enforcement exposure: supporting appeal submissions and enforcement-related matters as part of professional development.
- Working on high-profile locations: contributing to projects in sensitive and complex environments such as city centre sites.
We’re looking for the right combination of skills and attributes – proactivity, problem-solving and a keen eye for detail. To successfully enrol in our programme you’ll need to hold a RICS accredited or relevant degree such as City Regeneration and Planning, and have a full UK driving licence along with your own means of transport.
In addition to a competitive salary, we offer:
- Internal and external CPD events, interactive online training and off-site graduate training days.
- Clear career pathways with significant progression opportunities.
- 25 days annual leave plus 1 day to celebrate your birthday.
- Flexible advantage policy to support work-life balance.
- Private healthcare through Vitality Health membership (including discounts on insurance, gym, fitness, travel and wellness).
- Generous pension scheme, when eligible.
- Monthly office socials funded by the business, plus company-wide summer and Christmas parties.
- Three-year sabbatical policy.
- People-culture team that champions and recognises staff and encourages employee-led ideas.
- Community engagement and fundraising events to raise money for good causes.
- Access to best-in-class technology and pioneering software.
- Cycle-to-work scheme.
Benefits:
- Annual bonus scheme
- 25 days annual leave plus 1 day to celebrate your birthday
- Vitality Health Membership (private healthcare, subsidised gym membership and other discounts)
- Flexible working through our Flexible Advantage supporting working families and work/life balance
- Pension scheme via The Peoples Pension
- Life insurance (4× base salary)
- Free on-site parking in non-city centre offices
- Cycle to work scheme
- 26 weeks paid maternity leave
- 4 weeks paid paternity leave
- BHN Extras – discounted gift cards for popular retailers
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme (Octopus Electric Vehicles), effective at 1 year of service
- Sabbatical policy effective at 3 years of service
- Professional development – paid study leave
- Military service paid leave (7.5 days per year)
- Employee Assistance Programme and wider mental health and wellbeing support
- Two company-wide events every year, plus multiple office socials throughout the year
Dalcour Maclaren is an equal opportunities employer.
Graduate Planner in Manchester employer: Dalcour Maclaren
Dalcour Maclaren is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration within the Utilities and Infrastructure sector. With a strong commitment to employee development through structured training programmes and clear career pathways, we empower our graduates to thrive in their roles while contributing to meaningful projects that drive sustainability. Our generous benefits package, including flexible working options, private healthcare, and community engagement initiatives, ensures a supportive environment where employees can achieve both personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Planner in Manchester
✨Get Hands-On Experiential Learning
As a trainee in environmental engineering tech, seek out opportunities for internships or volunteer work in green projects. Practising your skills in real-world settings not only boosts your CV but shows employers like Dalcour Maclaren that you’re genuinely passionate about making a difference.
✨Join Environmental Tech Forums and Meetups
Connect with folks in your industry by participating in local environmental tech meetups or online forums. These spaces are buzzing with ideas and opportunities, and it’s a great way to get your name out there—word of mouth can lead to unexpected trainee roles, like the ones at Dalcour Maclaren.
✨Utilise University Career Services
If you're still studying or recently graduated, leverage your university’s career services. They often have exclusive listings for trainee positions and can connect you with alumni who are already working in the environmental sector. You might even find a friendly face at Dalcour Maclaren!
✨Follow Up After Applications
After you’ve applied, don’t be shy—reach out to Dalcour Maclaren directly to express your enthusiasm. A simple email can make you stand out. It shows you’re proactive and genuinely interested in the trainee position. Trust us, it can work wonders!
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Planner in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects:In the environmental engineering tech field, it's super valuable to highlight any relevant projects you've worked on. Whether it's a university project or a side gig, throwing in specific details about your contributions and the outcomes can really catch the eye of Dalcour Maclaren.
Get Technical with Your Skills:Make sure to list technical skills that are applicable to environmental engineering tech. This could be software like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or any environmental modelling tools you're familiar with. Tailor your CV to show us how your skills align perfectly with what Dalcour Maclaren is looking for.
Passion for Sustainability is Key:When you’re writing your cover letter, don’t hold back on your passion for sustainability and environmental issues. As a trainee, we want to see your enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. Share any experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference in this field.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've earned any certifications that are relevant to environmental engineering, definitely include those! Even if they’re online courses or workshops, they show that you're proactive about your learning and keen to build a career in this field. We love to see that kind of initiative at Dalcour Maclaren.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dalcour Maclaren
✨Show Your Passion for the Environment
When you're heading into an interview for a trainee role in environmental engineering tech, make sure to share why you’re passionate about sustainability and environmental solutions. We want to see your genuine interest in the field, so bring up projects or initiatives you've been involved with, even if they're just from your studies!
✨Brush Up on Relevant Tools and Software
Expect to discuss tools that are commonly used in environmental engineering, like AutoCAD or GIS systems. Familiarise yourself with the basics of these platforms, as you might face technical questions about their applications. We recommend having a specific example ready to showcase your understanding of how these tools can be leveraged in real-world scenarios.
✨Prepare for Scenario-based Questions
In a trainee interview, you might come across situational questions that test your problem-solving skills. They may ask you how you would approach an environmental issue or manage a project under tight deadlines. Think through potential scenarios and how you'd handle them, showing your analytical thinking and ability to adapt!
✨Emphasise Your Willingness to Learn
As a trainee, the interviewers at Dalcour Maclaren will be looking for your potential to grow. Be ready to discuss what you're keen to learn in the role and how you’re planning to develop your skills in environmental engineering tech. We suggest mentioning any relevant courses or certifications you’re considering to show that you’re proactive about your personal and professional growth.
