Principal Town Planner (Planning Consultancy) in Birmingham
Principal Town Planner (Planning Consultancy)

Principal Town Planner (Planning Consultancy) in Birmingham

Birmingham Full-Time 36000 - 60000 Β£ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Devise planning strategies and lead multidisciplinary teams on impactful projects.
  • Company: Join WSP, a global leader in engineering and consultancy with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to shape your unique career.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in communities while working on landmark projects.
  • Qualifications: Degree in town planning, chartered status, and experience in the UK planning system.
  • Other info: Be part of a supportive team dedicated to positive change and innovation.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.

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.

Principal Town Planner (Planning Consultancy) in Birmingham employer: WSP

At WSP, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of Central Birmingham. Our Planning Consultancy team is dedicated to professional growth, providing opportunities to engage in landmark projects while working alongside industry leaders. With a commitment to employee development and a supportive environment, we empower our team members to make a meaningful impact in their careers and the communities we serve.
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Contact Detail:

WSP Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

We think this is how you could land Principal Town Planner (Planning Consultancy) in Birmingham

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with professionals in the planning consultancy field. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best work in town planning. Include case studies of projects you've worked on, showcasing your problem-solving abilities and successful outcomes. This will give potential employers a clear picture of what you can bring to their team.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Before any interview, do some mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your experience and how it aligns with the role at WSP. The more comfortable you are talking about your skills, the more confident you'll feel during the real deal.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We love seeing applications come directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Make sure to tailor your application to highlight how your experience fits the Principal Town Planner role and why you’re excited about working with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Town Planner (Planning Consultancy) in Birmingham

Knowledge of UK Planning System
Planning Applications
Permitted Development
Policy Frameworks
Plan Promotion
Appeal Process
Critical Thinking
Planning Appraisals
Preparation of Planning Documentation
Negotiation Skills
Project Management
Budgetary Control
Strong Communication Skills
Team Collaboration
Organisational Skills

Some tips for your application 🫑

Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for town planning shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the field and how you can contribute to our team at WSP.

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your relevant experience in private sector consultancy and local authority work. We love seeing how your background aligns with the role of Principal Town Planner!

Be Clear and Concise: In your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language to explain your skills and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point.

Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with WSP.

How to prepare for a job interview at WSP

✨Know Your Planning Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the UK planning system, especially in a private sector context. Be ready to discuss specific planning policies and how they relate to the projects you've worked on. This will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but can apply it practically.

✨Showcase Your Project Experience

Prepare to talk about your previous projects in detail. Highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This is your chance to demonstrate your ability to manage project delivery and budgetary control, which are key for the Principal Town Planner role.

✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Strong communication skills are essential for this position. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, whether it's discussing planning strategies or drafting persuasive planning statements. Consider doing mock interviews with friends to refine your delivery.

✨Emphasise Team Collaboration

WSP values teamwork, so be prepared to discuss how you've successfully collaborated with multidisciplinary teams in the past. Share examples of how you’ve worked with colleagues from different fields, like transport or sustainability, to achieve common goals.

Principal Town Planner (Planning Consultancy) in Birmingham
WSP
Location: Birmingham
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  • Principal Town Planner (Planning Consultancy) in Birmingham

    Birmingham
    Full-Time
    36000 - 60000 Β£ / year (est.)
  • W

    WSP

    1000+
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