Specialist Team Manager - Town Planning

## Specialist Team Manager - Town Planning Apply locations:
Scotland, United Kingdom time type:
Full time posted on:
Posted Todaytime left to apply:
End Date:
July 15, 2026 (13 days left to apply) job requisition :
R12015
** Together we are Trusted to Serve Scotland.
** Most people don’t think too much about how clean water reaches their tap, but Scottish Water does. In fact, it’s all we think about. As Team Manager for our Planning team, you’re at the forefront of our mission. You’ll lead a specialist planning function that supports the successful development and delivery of projects across Scottish Water’s Capital Investment programme.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape how we navigate Scotland’s statutory planning system, provide expert advice across a diverse portfolio of projects, and help deliver the infrastructure and services that communities across Scotland rely on every day.
** About the role
** You’ll lead and develop a team of town planning professionals, ensuring high-quality planning advice is embedded from the earliest stages of project development through to delivery. Working across projects ranging from smaller local schemes to complex major developments, you’ll provide leadership, assurance and direction on planning strategy, consenting routes and stakeholder engagement. You’ll work closely with internal teams, delivery partners, regulators and planning authorities to help secure robust, timely and practical outcomes that support Scottish Water’s investment ambitions.
** What you’ll do
** The role involves leading, managing and supporting a team of planning professionals, fostering a high-performing and collaborative environment. It requires providing expert planning advice across a broad range of projects, including permitted development, renewable energy, small-scale developments and major infrastructure schemes.

The position also includes undertaking horizon-scanning to identify changes in planning legislation and policy, helping to shape strategy, inform risk management and guide consenting approaches. Building and maintaining strong working relationships with internal colleagues, specialist teams, stakeholders, local authorities, regulators and delivery partners is essential.

Additionally, the role supports the timely progression of projects by ensuring that planning risks, dependencies and opportunities are clearly understood and effectively managed, while driving consistency, quality and continuous improvement in planning processes, standards and ways of working across the team.
** What you’ll bring
** To be successful in this role, you’ll bring strong leadership capability, technical planning expertise and the confidence to work across a varied and complex project portfolio. You will have an established network across the planning landscape and a proven track record of developing and supporting others.

The essential criteria for this role include holding a degree in Town Planning and membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI). Candidates must have proven experience managing a team of town planners, along with a robust knowledge of Scotland’s planning legislation and its practical application. Experience in securing consent across a range of development types is required, as well as strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and build credibility across a diverse range of partners.

Desirable criteria include experience working in a developer setting, knowledge of the water and wastewater sector, and a proven track record of delivering in line with investment and project requirements. Additionally, candidates should be able to demonstrate success in presenting to Planning Committees.
** Why Scottish Water?
** At Scottish Water, we’re committed to delivering great service for our customers, protecting our environment and investing in Scotland’s future. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to lead a valued specialist team, influence a diverse and meaningful programme of work, and help shape sustainable infrastructure outcomes across the country. If you’re ready to bring your planning expertise and leadership skills to a…