Associate Director - Environmental Planning in Bristol

We are looking for an experienced Associate Director - Environmental Planning to join our growing team in London or Reading. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering environmental planning and assessment services across a diverse portfolio of energy transition, water resilience, development and critical infrastructure projects. You’ll work at the intersection of planning, environmental assessment and sustainable development, helping clients understand and navigate environmental considerations throughout the project lifecycle.

You’ll work alongside planners, environmental specialists, engineers and other technical experts, contributing to multidisciplinary projects and developing practical, sustainable solutions for our clients. As an Associate Director, you’ll have the opportunity to take ownership of project workstreams, build strong client relationships, contribute to business development and support the development of colleagues within the team.

About The Role:

• Lead and contribute to environmental planning and assessment projects across a range of development and infrastructure sectors.
• Provide environmental planning and consenting advice to clients and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Support and coordinate the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Environmental Statements and associated environmental planning documentation.
• Manage individual project workstreams, coordinating inputs from technical specialists and ensuring deliverables are completed to a high standard.
• Provide advice on environmental constraints, opportunities and consenting requirements from project inception through to delivery.
• Coordinate and contribute to stakeholder engagement, consultation exercises, workshops and project meetings.
• Liaise with clients, local authorities, statutory consultees, regulators and other stakeholders.
• Undertake environmental and planning research, including reviewing relevant legislation, policy and guidance.
• Review technical information and reports, ensuring environmental considerations are appropriately reflected in project outputs.
• Support project management, including programmes, budgets, resources and delivery against agreed timescales.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with clients and contribute to the development of new opportunities.
• Contribute to bids, tenders, proposals and business development activities.
• Support and mentor junior colleagues, sharing technical knowledge and helping to develop the wider team.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across our wider planning, environmental and engineering teams to deliver integrated solutions.

Your Impact:

You’ll play an important role in helping our clients deliver projects that are environmentally responsible, technically robust and capable of securing the necessary consents. You’ll have the opportunity to work on a variety of complex projects across sectors including infrastructure, energy, development, transport and the built environment. As an Associate Director, you’ll take increasing responsibility for project delivery and client relationships while developing your technical and commercial expertise. You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of our environmental planning capability across the UK.

Working within a multidisciplinary organisation, you’ll have access to specialists across a wide range of environmental and engineering disciplines, enabling you to develop solutions that consider the wider environmental, social and technical context of each project.

About You:

We’re looking for an experienced environmental planning professional who is confident working within a consultancy environment and is ready to take the next step in their career. You have:

• Experience in environmental planning, environmental consultancy, planning or a closely related discipline.
• Good knowledge of the UK planning and environmental assessment framework.
• Experience delivering or coordinating EIA and environmental consenting projects.
• Experience managing project workstreams and coordinating multidisciplinary technical inputs.
• A good understanding of environmental legislation, planning policy and relevant guidance.
• Experience engaging with clients, stakeholders, local authorities, statutory consultees or regulators.
• Good project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex environmental matters clearly and effectively.
• An interest in developing client relationships and contributing to business development.
• A collaborative approach and an enthusiasm for supporting and developing less experienced colleagues.

Qualifications:

A relevant degree in environmental planning, environmental science, geography, planning or a related discipline is desirable. Membership of a relevant professional body, such as the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), or another relevant professional accreditation, would be advantageous. Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who is collaborative, motivated and passionate about delivering high-quality environmental solutions that make a positive difference.

Why Join Us:

• We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
• We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025.
• Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025.
• Named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024.
• We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions.
• A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.
• We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network.
• Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK & Ireland - we want you to be part of it!
• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.
• Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world-class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply. At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all.