Senior Town Planner - Major Projects

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 current working on landmark projects nationally (and occasionally internationally) within the healthcare, life science, education, leisure, defence and housing sectors. We are proud to be involved in many of the highest profile projects in these sectors nationally, including very large projects in Central London, Cambridge, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle. 

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 will be based WSP’s Newcastle officer but will work on projects nationally, 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, fast tracking career advancement and be part of a team with an exceptional market reputation.  

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, 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.

As one of the world’s leading engineering, professional services and technical consultancy firms, at WSP, we’re passionate about the future and helping to shape it. 

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.
• 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.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

• 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.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Work on landmark projects nationally and internationally, and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you and we care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a better future?

With us, you can. Apply today.

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