Planning Consultant - Senior or Principal grade in Newcastle upon Tyne

Our Planning and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Team is looking for a new dynamic member to join our Newcastle or Leeds office. You will have the opportunity to work nationally across the UK on a variety of projects such as infrastructure, energy, environmental and climate resilience schemes, often with a focus on flood and coastal erosion risk management. You will be joining an award-winning environmental and engineering consultancy which puts innovation, sustainability and resilience at the heart of its work. We are independent and staff-owned under a stewardship model which drives long term decision making and investment. We have offices in the UK, Ireland, Romania, India, Singapore and Australia. Our people are all important and we invest heavily in life-long learning and skills development. We support hybrid working which provides for greater flexibility with the way that we work. We are always on the lookout for talented, committed and inspiring people to join us in our ambition to lead in the pursuit for resilience to climate change. In return, we offer rewarding careers with continued opportunities and dedicated support for personal development. Build your career with us and help us to build a more resilient future.

The role involves being commercially aware, managing multi-disciplinary technical teams, proactively coordinating and managing the delivery of a diverse range of planning applications and projects for public and private sector clients. You will work with colleagues across many disciplines such as engineering, hydrology, heritage, ecology, contaminated land, and landscape. You will support early career colleagues in their professional and technical development. You will have the opportunity to win your own business and will play an important part in helping to shape JBA’s environment and sustainability services strategy.

Key tasks include:

• Provide technical guidance on Planning, advise on planning strategies, and planning requirements including identifying potential planning risks and opportunities, and contribute to project programmes.
• Preparation of planning applications, appraisals and appeals other formal written advice.
• Leading on the day-to-day management of projects.
• Attending and contributing to client and project team meetings.
• Develop/manage existing and new client relationships.
• Liaising with Council officers, stakeholders and members of the public for positive project outcomes.
• Attending and presenting at Council Planning Committee meetings and attending public consultation events.
• Preparation of tenders and opportunities for business development including developing current opportunities, new clients or sectors across the UK.
• Keep up to date changes planning policy and legislation.
• Staff mentoring and professional development, sharing of knowledge, best practice and innovation.

The team member we are looking for:

The successful candidate will ideally be RTPI Chartered (or working towards Chartership) and have experience ideally gained through a career in either public sector or private consultancy. You will have a positive and professional attitude and be naturally collaborative in how you work. You will have effective written and verbal communication skills, a successful history of dealing with clients at all levels, and a passion for quality and excellence of service. A Bachelors and/or Masters degree (or equivalent) in Town and Country Planning or a similar relevant subject e.g. Environmental Impact Assessment and Management, Environmental Legislation etc., or demonstrable professional experience which allows you to evidence your technical expertise.

Essential attributes for the role:

• Demonstrable experience in leading, preparing and delivering a range of Planning Applications, including major development.
• An ability to collaborate with a team of multi-disciplinary colleagues to deliver the objectives of large and complex projects and ensure high-quality solutions are developed.
• Track record of project delivery, with good commercial and programme awareness and confidence in working with clients.
• Preparation of bids and tender submissions.
• Strong understanding of planning, environmental legislation, relevant policy and guidance with an awareness of updates and emerging trends.
• Motivated, proactive and organised work ethic with problem solving and critical analysis skills.
• Experience in and track record in project management and technical leadership of projects.
• Strong commercial and client focus with a record of forging strong client links.
• Ability to develop and manage effective relationships and partnerships internally and externally.

Desirable attributes for the role:

• Professional accreditation with the Royal Town Planning Institute. We will consider candidates who are not Chartered and will support you through the process of becoming Chartered.
• Experience in developments related to water industry, energy sector, infrastructure.
• A broad understanding of a wide range of specialist environmental disciplines.
• Experience in Environmental Impact Assessment.

Location: The role will be based at our Newcastle, NE1 5JR or Leeds LS1 8EQ locations, but other offices may be considered for exceptional candidates. The role will involve a significant degree of cross office working. JBA supports agile working which provides for greater flexibility with the way that we work. However, it is important to us that you attend the office on a regular basis.

Further information: For further information or an informal discussion about this position, please contact Della Adams on 0191 2330707.