Senior Town Planner in Manchester

What if you could shape a career as unique as you? At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

The Planning Consultancy team in Central Manchester 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/town centre regeneration, tall buildings, high density housing, strategic land promotion, retail development, new schools and other social infrastructure projects, sports and leisure, logistics and major business parks, through to detailed listed building reuse and social infrastructure delivery. 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 including Eden Project, Therme (Trafford), the South East Warrington Urban Extension and Leighton Hospital.

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

You will be a planner with a good knowledge and experience of the planning process including planning applications/appeals, permitted development, policy frameworks and plan promotion. You will be well versed in critical thinking to prepare planning appraisals and strategies, the preparation of all planning documentation for the promotion of developments, and supporting negotiations with planning authorities and other stakeholders.

A Little More About Your Role…

• Supporting on early consideration of potential site/development opportunities presented by clients
• Preparing scopes of work and inputting into fee proposals and/or larger tender opportunities
• Exposure to clients, co-professional advisors (internal) and other consultants (external) to ensure planning objectives can be achieved
• Attending site visits
• Leading smaller projects including preparing, submitting and negotiating planning consents across a range of project types and sectors
• Supporting Directors on larger or more complex projects, but with exposure to clients, design teams and co-workers to drive project workstreams forward
• Direct engagement with a full range of stakeholders on projects in securing successful outcomes
• Preparing and submitting planning applications, including delivery of public engagement services
• Supporting on planning appeal casework
• Working with colleagues across our socio-economic, heritage and EIA specialisms, to deliver end to end planning services.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate…

• Ideally you will be IHBC and/or RPTI accredited.
• Degree level qualification in town planning (or equivalent).
• Strong technical skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong collaborative, communicative and organisational skills
• A commercial approach to planning consultancy and development and the opportunities it can realise
• A desire to work in a growing planning team, surrounded and supported by a raft of fellow professionals.
• Drive and determination.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself? 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.