Associate (DCO Planning) in London)

Overview: Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a multidisciplinary consultancy who are looking for an experienced Associate to join the Planning team. This is a senior role focused on Development Consent Orders (DCOs), where you will play a critical role in delivering large-scale projects within the energy and infrastructure sectors. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in DCO planning, project management, and leading multi-disciplinary teams. You will be expected to manage complex projects, liaise with consultants, and provide strategic guidance to ensure the successful delivery of projects on time and within budget.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage large-scale DCO schemes and projects, ensuring the delivery of high-quality results within agreed timeframes and budgets.
• Take responsibility for the full lifecycle of DCO applications, including the management of consultants and multidisciplinary teams, ensuring efficient collaboration across all parties.
• Oversee the preparation, submission, and examination of planning applications, working closely with internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage and coordinate the business development of planning services, providing strategic insights to the wider team and contributing to the growth of the business.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key industry contacts, including those in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
• Lead the management of complex and high-profile DCO projects, ensuring effective communication with all stakeholders and compliance with relevant regulations.
• Mentor and manage junior staff and project teams, providing leadership and professional development opportunities.
• Advise on and contribute to the development of internal policies, procedures, and best practices related to DCO planning.

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• Experience in planning consultancy or public sector roles, with a focus on DCOs.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering DCO projects, including experience in project management and consultant coordination.
• Strong business development skills with a sound commercial awareness.
• Excellent understanding of the DCO process, from project launch through to close of examination and post-consent stages.
• Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
• A Degree or Diploma in Town and Country Planning, or a related field (e.g., Geography, Economics, Environmental Studies).
• A high level of understanding of financial management, including budgeting and forecasting.

Desirable Knowledge and Experience:

• Experience of delivering large-scale renewable energy projects.
• Strong professional network within the energy and infrastructure sectors.
• In-depth knowledge of the National Policy Statements, relevant guidance notes, and planning regulations.
• Familiarity with the London Plan and Local Development Plans.

Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to manage and lead teams, balancing multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership capabilities, with the ability to mentor and manage project teams.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and engage a wide range of stakeholders, ensuring successful project outcomes.
• High level of professionalism, combining expertise in Town Planning with a strong commercial focus.

If you are a proactive, driven individual with extensive experience in DCO planning and a proven ability to lead complex projects, we would love to hear from you.