Principal Town Planner (Planning Consultancy) in Birmingham

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

The Planning Consultancy team in Central Birmingham specialise in providing commercial planning advice to a wide range of private and public sector clients. It is an established front end development team which advises on development proposals throughout all stages of the planning process from feasibility, plan promotion, application, EIA and Appeal. Our projects range from complex city centre regeneration sites, tall buildings, high density housing, strategic housing promotion, repurposing town centres, retail development, sports and leisure, logistics and major business parks, through to detailed listed building reuse. We act for developers, land owners, home builders, registered providers, financial institutions, strategic promoters, retailers and operators. We are proud to be involved in leading some of the region’s largest and most high-profile schemes.

We are looking to recruit enthusiastic team players with a can-do attitude. Candidates should have some private sector consultancy and possibly some local authority experience as well, a proven ability to deliver to a high standard, strong communication skills, passion to share their knowledge and a desire to learn and contribute to the ongoing success of our team.

You will be a Principal Planner with a good knowledge and experience of the planning process including planning applications, permitted development, policy frameworks, plan promotion and the appeal process. You will be well versed in using critical thinking to prepare planning appraisals and strategies, the preparation of all planning documentation for developments, the associated negotiations with planning authorities and stakeholders. We’re looking for Principal Planners with demonstrable experience, with the confidence and initiative to run projects themselves, but also work within a team on large scale projects. Ideally, you already have private sector experience.

A Little More About Your Role…

• Devising planning strategies, assessing site’s planning history and relevant planning policies contained within a development plan; as well as national planning policy and guidance.
• Preparing briefing notes that set out the likelihood of achieving planning permission for housing or employment uses.
• Drafting planning statements in a clear and persuasive way, to support development proposals.
• Leading planning aspects in multidisciplinary teams delivering planning projects.
• Attending site visits, design team and client meetings.
• Managing project delivery and budgetary control.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues from across WSP, for example in the Transport or Sustainability Teams, to ensure their advice is factored into the combined advice provided to clients by WSP.
• Monitoring planning applications and liaising with clients and teams to respond to consultation feedback.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate…

• Degree level qualification in town planning.
• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject.
• Chartered status (MRTPI / NIPA).
• Sound knowledge and experience of the UK planning system, gained in private sector setting.
• Strong technical skills.
• A commercial approach to planning consultancy and development.
• A desire to work in a growing planning team, surrounded and supported by a raft of fellow professionals.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

What’s in It For You?

• Work-life balance: At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community. Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.
• Inclusivity & Belonging: We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP.
• Health & Wellbeing: We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most.
• Flex your time: To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.
• Your development: We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.