Principal Planner

Our client is a leading consultancy who provide professional planning and engineering services to the power sector. They are instrumental in helping support the UK with its transition to net zero. They plan, design, and deliver major power projects that link the UK’s renewable power to its major towns and cities. They specialise in the planning, design and survey of Overhead Lines, Underground Cables, and Substation Systems from LV to EHV in the UK and internationally playing a critical role in major power infrastructure projects, along with planning for a range of large scale renewable developments.

We are seeking an experienced Principal Planner to take a lead role in managing the planning and consenting processes for major projects, including large-scale green energy infrastructure. This role would be ideal for a proactive individual with a background in planning and delivering Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), particularly those requiring Development Consent Orders (DCOs) or equivalent approvals. While experience with linear infrastructure projects is preferred, we are also open to candidates with expertise in localised planning applications and Section 37 (S.37) consent processes.

• Oversee and drive the successful delivery of planning and consenting strategies for major renewable energy projects, ensuring compliance with relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Work closely with the Project Manager to shape and execute the commercial aspects of planning activities, contributing to project viability and success.
• Provide guidance, training, and mentorship to junior planners and other team members, fostering a high-performing and knowledgeable planning team.
• Planning in implementing key initiatives from the Operating Board, helping to enhance planning processes and business operations.

This role offers the opportunity to work on high-profile energy projects that contribute to the UK's Net Zero ambitions, with significant scope for career progression and professional development.

We are looking for an ambitious and dynamic individual with a passion for green energy. Educated to Masters level (desired) or Bachelors level (essential) in relevant subject such as Geography, Planning or Environmental Sciences (or similar). Member of, or working towards membership, in a relevant Professional Institution, desirable but not essential. Ideally hold a UK driving licence (or one acceptable to their insurers) as role requires attendance at client meetings.

Minimum 7 years’ postgraduate experience in the infrastructure/development sector working on relevant transmission, distribution or other planning schemes. Minimum experience of: taking one NSIP scheme from Needs Case through to end of Examination, or experience on the various NSIP planning stages across multiple schemes; or taking multiple S.37/TCPA schemes from the development stages through to submission; or experience on planning applications with a strong legislative/policy background; or a combination of the above.

This is a great opportunity to join a well-established high performing team who can offer a good work life balance. This is backed up by the fact that senior members of the planning team have been in the team over 10 years on average. Over the past two years the team has invested in itself, doubling in size with the aim of continuing to grow as the work from their key clients ramps up.

They can offer the successful individual a unique opportunity to work at the UK’s leading multi-disciplinary survey, design and engineering consultancy in the utilities sector, whose company culture gives a lot of autonomy, respect and flexibility for those who join them, and as it’s not a large organisation you can benefit from being recognised and valued as an individual rather than just being another number.

If you are interested to learn more, apply now by submitting your CV or contact David McGovern at Tempest Jones on david@tempestjones.com.