At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape Heathrow's sustainable future through strategic planning and consenting strategies.
- Company: Join a leading airport shaping the future of aviation in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to influence major infrastructure projects.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to engage in public policy and political affairs.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on significant aviation developments while collaborating with key stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute or working towards it, with relevant DCO experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Reporting to the Head of Town Planning and Consenting, the Town Planning Manager plays a key role in shaping Heathrow’s sustainable future by developing and implementing planning and consenting strategies that support the airport’s long-term growth and investment ambitions. The role is responsible for helping secure the planning consents required to deliver Heathrow’s capital investment programmes, working across a diverse portfolio of infrastructure and development projects. Drawing on expertise in both the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA) and Development Consent Order (DCO) regimes, you will provide strategic planning guidance that enables successful project delivery while balancing operational, environmental and community considerations.
This is an opportunity to influence some of the UK’s most significant aviation and infrastructure developments. You will provide trusted advice on national, regional and local planning policy, helping to shape and influence emerging policy frameworks, including matters relating to the Airports National Policy Statement, to protect and promote Heathrow’s interests. Success in the role requires strong stakeholder engagement skills, commercial awareness and the ability to navigate complex planning challenges with confidence and credibility. As a visible and collaborative presence at Heathrow’s Compass Centre, you will build strong relationships across the business, with external partners and key decision-makers, ensuring planning considerations are effectively integrated into strategic and operational decision-making.
Responsibilities
- Advise the business on all matters relating to planning policy (including the Airports National Policy Statement) and the promotion of capital investment projects through the planning system.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key external stakeholders in the planning system including local planning authorities, the Planning Inspectorate and other external agencies.
- Oversee planning applications and other submissions to facilitate delivery of Heathrow’s capital investment plan and ensure advice on all planning matters proactively provided to the business.
- Provide advice on DCO and consenting activities relating to Heathrow’s long term growth plans, and assist in the development and implementation of a clear consenting strategy, pre-application processes, and preparation and submission of DCO application and any other planning applications.
- Ensure processes in place to monitor and respond to planning policy and legislative reform and third-party planning applications and deliver robust responses to policy and development consultations in a way that protects and promotes Heathrow’s interests.
- Ensure processes in place to secure compliance with planning laws and conditions/obligations attached to existing planning consents.
Qualifications
- Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute or working towards Chartered Membership.
- Relevant DCO experience of developing infrastructure in a planning and consenting role.
- Excellent knowledge of UK planning law and regulation as well as policies and procedures.
- Significant planning experience within an established UK Planning team.
- Significant experience in handling Planning, Environmental Impact Assessment, Compulsory Acquisition and Statutory Consultation matters related to large infrastructure projects.
- Interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ideally, you will also have planning, aviation or related post graduate qualifications.
- Knowledge in Airspace Change Process.
- Interest in public policy and political affairs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Town Planning Manager in London
✨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 Heathrow Airport 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 Town Planning Manager in London
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 Heathrow Airport!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Heathrow Airport. 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 Heathrow Airport
✨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 Heathrow Airport.
