Principal / Associate Spatial Planner

AtkinsRéalis is one of the world’s leading multi-disciplinary consultancy firms offering unparalleled opportunities for talented individuals in search of a rewarding career. We are currently looking to strengthen and broaden our Planning team. The team, based in London, Birmingham, Epsom, Bristol, Manchester and Leeds, works directly with AtkinsRéalis’ wide multi-disciplinary teams in the UK and across the world on a variety of major infrastructure and development projects. The team is one of the UK’s leading consultancies, at the forefront of thought-leadership in the field of planning, economics and international development.

It has influenced government thinking on infrastructure delivery and provides spatial planning advice in the UK to central government and its agencies, local enterprise partnerships, local authorities, combined authorities and the private sector. We also work with colleagues leading international development work with international financing institutions and government bodies.  We are currently providing spatial planning support on major UK projects for clients including HS2, Homes England, Network Rail, Transport for London, Greater London Authority and a number of Local Authorities.

We are looking for a Principal / Associate Spatial Planner to join our successful and progressive team of planners and economists which is strongly integrated with our transport, engineering, design and environmental businesses. We operate flexibly across the UK, but we would like someone to actively support our Northern Transformation Programme and unlock the potential of the North of England. Working with our market colleagues, and driving the Planning, Environmental Consenting and Communities business, to unlock opportunities for the Environment business.

The position requires a Chartered Planner, combining an excellent track record in planning with experience in providing comprehensive advice to the public and private development sector. The individual will work as part of the national 'place planning' strategy group within PECC, the buildings and places market and AtkinsRéalis’ Northern Transformation Programme, bringing experience and understanding of:

The planning and regeneration market in the city regions of the North of England (particularly North west and Yorkshire)

• Strategic/national or regional policies and funding applied to localities.
• A policy and strategy background - including preparation of local spatial plans, evidence-based studies and infrastructure planning - including effective cross-authority collaboration and engagement.
• Understanding of strategic planning and regional frameworks.
• Area wide regeneration projects, town centres or station neighbourhoods involving infrastructure interventions (often rail or flood alleviation) to unlock growth.
• Understanding of the policy and consenting processes that will support strategic placemaking projects including DCO, TWAO, TCPA and CPO processes.

Different delivery organisations

• Including work across the government (for example local authorities, town boards, combined authorities and development corporations) and appreciation of how these may evolve with further devolution or new government delivery channels.
• Work with central government agencies including Homes England or master developers on regeneration and strategic growth projects including urban extensions and housing led projects.

Funding opportunities - for example grant funding regimes, investment frameworks and syndicated funding

Responsibilities:

• Carry out strategic planning and policy development including for example: assessments of development potential, local plan support and evidence, city and regional plans (UK and international), infrastructure delivery studies, preparation of funding bids.
• Identification, development and pursuit of new business and marketing opportunities including leading or supporting on tender responses.
• Develop client network and collaborate with colleagues across AtkinsRéalis to win work.
• Manage project inputs from a range of disciplines working across the firm.
• Support the provision of strategic and policy planning advice to external and internal clients.
• Have the ability to work across other Planning projects, including around traditional Development Management and Major Infrastructure.
• Manage client communication, reporting and stakeholder consultation.
• Develop and maintain relationships across the organisation to ensure we position ourselves well within the market, assemble technically excellent project teams and deliver high quality quantitative analysis and written work.
• Financial management of projects.
• Provide mentoring to junior staff to help the team develop its national capabilities.

Requirements:

• A relevant degree in Town Planning and Chartered membership of the RTPI.
• Around 10 years or more relevant experience including successfully managing multi-disciplinary projects, engagement with clients and business development.
• A passion for urbanism and placemaking.
• Understanding of relevant markets and development of market strategies to guide the team- and wider business-growth.
• Client-facing skills focused on early engagement and partnering - including issue appreciation, visioning and project creation.
• Ability to work with strategic and local stakeholders to broker solutions.
• Thrives in a multi-disciplinary environment with the ability to cut through complexity and offer integrated project solutions.
• Confident and inquiring, as well as being a strong team player and recognising the value of integrated solutions.
• Experience of undertaking strategic and spatial  planning work in the UK.
• A sound, in-depth knowledge of planning law and procedures, including the changing planning system at national and local level.
• Sound understanding of the development process, including development feasibility and viability.
• Proven experience  of managing and delivering multi-disciplinary projects; capability to work alongside and co-ordinate a range of technical specialists.
• Proven experience of building successful relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• A need to demonstrate commercial awareness and proven ability to manage budgets.
• Able to check and review complex documents and summarise and present the key issues in a clear and concise way, understandable to non-specialists.
• Experienced in meeting clients and managing their needs in a confident, professional manner.
• Strong report writing, verbal and presentation skills, and the aptitude to rationally explain, explore and discuss town planning issues.
• Excellent time management skills - able to prioritise and work effectively under pressure, with proven success in meeting tight deadlines.
• Flexible, adaptable and prepared to take on new challenges and work from other AtkinsRéalis or client office locations.
• Personal qualities required include being self-motivated, enthusiastic, determined and resilient and with an ability to inspire.

Why work for AtkinsRéalis?

"We're ranked as one of LinkedIn's Top 25 Companies, where UK professionals want to work and stay once they join. We've also made the Times Top 50 employers for women.

Our Infrastructure team uses innovation, new approaches and the power of data to help our clients deliver end-to-end projects and programmes for essential future infrastructure. And as the work becomes ever more complex, our employees continue to challenge the status quo.

We're committed to engineering better for people and our planet, from our global Engineering Net-Zero programme to creating social value through EDAROTH community housing. We're proud of our active employee networks creating awareness and allyship for our under-represented groups. Not to mention programmes supporting communities outside AtkinsRéalis, including schools, charities, ex-forces and professionals returning after career breaks."

SECURITY CLEARANCE:

"This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance.  If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop. To help embed inclusion for all, from day one, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee networks to support staff from different backgrounds. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability."

#LI-INFRASTRUCTURE | #LI-UK #EnviroJobs #PECCJobs