At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex planning projects and deliver strategic advice for high-profile clients.
- Company: Join Savills, a top UK planning consultancy with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25-30 days annual leave, private medical scheme, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with excellent career growth prospects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on landmark projects while growing your career in planning.
- Qualifications: MRTPI-qualified with at least seven years' experience in the UK planning system.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced MRTPI-qualified Planner to join Savills' market-leading London Planning Team as an Associate Director. Working across a high-profile portfolio of commercial, infrastructure, industrial and logistics projects, you will play a key role in delivering planning strategies and securing outcomes for some of the UK's most recognised organisations.
As a senior member of the team, you will take ownership of complex projects from inception through to completion, leading multidisciplinary project teams, managing client relationships and providing strategic planning advice. You will work closely with Directors to deliver major planning applications, Local Plan representations, appeals and Development Consent Order projects, while supporting the development of Associates, Planners and Graduates across the team.
The successful candidate will have at least seven years' post-qualification experience, a strong understanding of the UK planning system and a proven track record of leading projects, managing clients and contributing to business development initiatives. Experience appearing at appeals and examinations, together with strong commercial awareness and excellent communication skills, will be highly advantageous.
Joining one of the UK's largest and most respected planning consultancies, you will have the opportunity to work on landmark projects for major clients while contributing to the growth and success of a collaborative, entrepreneurial and ambitious team. This role offers exceptional career development prospects, exposure to high-profile instructions and the opportunity to make a significant impact within Savills' national planning business.
What we offer you:
- Career and Professional Development
- 25-30 Days Annual Leave, depending on grade
- Life Assurance
- Private Medical Scheme
- Virtual GP
- Global Mobility Scheme
- Rewards Platform
- Company Pension Scheme
- Enhanced Incremental Annual Leave
Find out more about Savills offer.
Team Overview: Savills has one of the largest planning consultancies in the UK with a team of 350+ operating across 23 offices across all the principal regional markets. We remain the largest planning consultancy set within a multi-disciplinary property company. The Commercial Planning Team currently comprises of five Directors, four Associates and a number of Planners and Graduate Planners. This role will entail working closely with Directors in the Team to manage and support on an exciting pipeline of projects – in particular delivering a significant pipeline of projects and work for clients including BAE Systems, Hutchison Ports and Anglian Water.
Our aim is to deliver planning solutions that maximise the value of our clients’ property assets, taking into account the planning policy context, technical and environmental factors, local community considerations and overall sustainability.
Associate Director - Planning employer: Savills
SAVILLS is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of Greater London. With generous benefits including 25-30 days of annual leave, a private medical scheme, and a robust pension plan, employees are well-supported in their professional growth and personal well-being. The opportunity to work on high-profile property developments ensures that every team member can make a meaningful impact while advancing their career in a vibrant and fast-paced environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director - Planning
✨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!
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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 Savills who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
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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 Associate Director - Planning
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 Savills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Savills. 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 Savills
✨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 Savills.
