Senior Town Planner

Job Description

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 and local expertise to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

The Major Projects Planning and Development Team within Planning Consultancy specialises in providing commercial planning and development advice to a wide‑range of private and public sector clients, supporting the delivery of major projects in the social infrastructure sector. We are currently working on landmark projects nationally (and occasionally internationally) across healthcare, life science, education, defence and housing sectors, including large projects in Central London, Cambridge, Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds.

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic team player with a can‑do attitude and a desire to progress to a long‑term career in planning consultancy and be in a client‑facing position. Candidates should have some private‑sector consultancy or local‑authority experience, a desire to learn and be part of a close‑knit supportive team, be diligent in their work and have a pro‑active attitude.

In return they will be supported by a team with a proven track record of developing people to an excellent standard and fast‑tracking career advancement.

You will be a Planner with a good knowledge and experience of the planning process including planning applications, permitted development and policy frameworks. You will be well‑versed in using critical thinking to prepare planning appraisals and strategies, the preparation and review of all planning documentation for developments, and the associated negotiations with planning authorities and stakeholders.

We’re looking for Planners with demonstrable experience, with the confidence and initiative to lead on projects with senior support and work within a team on long‑term large‑scale projects.

• Devising planning strategies, assessing site’s planning history and relevant planning policies contained within a development plan, and national planning policy and guidance.
• Preparing briefing notes that set out the likelihood of achieving planning permission.
• Drafting planning statements in a clear and persuasive way to support development proposals.
• Reviewing third‑party documents and other planning deliverables to ensure consistency and validity.
• Assisting with the planning aspects in multidisciplinary teams delivering planning projects.
• Attending site visits, design team and client meetings.
• Managing project delivery and budgetary control.
• Joining negotiations with planning authorities and other planning stakeholders.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues from across WSP and external organisations.
• Monitoring planning applications and liaising with clients and teams to respond to consultation feedback.

• Degree level qualification in town planning and/or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject.
• Chartered status (MRTPI / MRICS).
• Sound knowledge and experience of the UK planning system, gained in either a local authority or private sector setting.
• Good technical and IT 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.
• Good organisational and communication skills.

Work‑life balance:
At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. We offer a hybrid working policy with the flexibility to work from home two days a week, alongside collaboration in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging:
We welcome…