Atkins, member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, is one of the world’s leading multi-disciplinary consultancy firms offering unparalleled opportunities for talented individuals in search of a rewarding career.
We need an experienced Chartered Planner combining a strong track record in planning with experience in providing advice to our growing markets in the development, transportation, energy, aviation and water sectors. You will join our progressive national planning team to help us deliver our expanding workload for a wide range of clients in the public and private sectors.
Our UK Planning and Environment team is based in London, Birmingham, Bristol, Epsom Warrington, Manchester and Leeds. We work directly with Atkins’ multi-disciplinary teams and businesses in the UK and across the world on a variety of major infrastructure and development projects. Our team is one of the UK’s leading planning consultancies, at the forefront of thought-leadership in planning and delivery of infrastructure and development and the use of digital data to support our work. We provide strategic planning advice in the UK to central government and its agencies, local enterprise partnerships, local authorities, combined authorities and the private sector. We work on a wide range of interesting projects, our clients include EDF, Environment Agency, Greater London Authority, Highways England, Homes England, HS2, Ministry of Defence, MHCLG, Network Rail, Peel Holdings, Transport for London, Transport for the North, West of England Combined Authority and many LEPs, local authorities and utility companies. We also work with colleagues leading international development work for funding institutions and government bodies.
The successful candidate will work within a dynamic multi-disciplinary environment with colleagues in environmental, engineering and design disciplines across the wider Atkins UK and international teams. We are looking for someone with a real passion for planning and the skills to deliver transformative and high-quality infrastructure and communities.
We recognise the importance and benefits of helping our employees balance work and home life and Atkins offers flexible working arrangements. We operate flexibly across the UK so you could be based in any of our hub office locations. There may be opportunities to work out of other UK offices or client offices, where the need arises, to meet the demands of fluctuating workloads. We provide a very flexible working environment with opportunities to work from home and from our regional offices and to hours which suit you.
Responsibilities
- Undertake planning-related research, evidence base and policy development including for example: support for planning applications/Development Consent Orders; local plan evidence base and representations; city and regional plans (primarily in the UK); assess development opportunities and potential; support the case for funding bids; infrastructure and delivery studies.
- Deliver evidence base studies to support policy development and planning and masterplanning projects capable of withstanding scrutiny at examination.
- Support strategic planning advice to external and internal clients on planning consents and development delivery strategies for development and infrastructure projects.
- Support preparation of applications and relevant supporting documents for a range of development proposals, including planning applications; Transport and Works Act Orders / Development Consent Orders; funding bids etc.
- Negotiate planning submissions through the consenting process.
- Prepare strategy and policy documents, evidence-based studies and associated advice.
- Work with senior colleagues to identify, develop and pursue new business and marketing opportunities across a range of sectors.
- Prepare tender responses.
- Provide planning advice to external and internal clients.
- Input into Environmental Impact Assessments and other planning documents.
- Manage or support project or tender opportunities.
- Resource allocation in liaison with the project and team managers.
- Mentor and support more junior staff.
You as an individual
You must be self-motivated, enthusiastic, determined and resilient and be able to demonstrate that you can:
Work under pressure, with excellent time management skills and success in meeting tight deadlines.
Manage and work on multiple assignments delivering outputs on time and within budget.
Work well as part of multi-disciplinary teams with the confidence to input effectively as an individual across a range of projects, consenting and strategic planning, and a range of geographies.
Prepare accurate and well-presented reports and presentations to a high standard.
Demonstrate strong verbal communication skills and the aptitude to rationally explain, explore and discuss planning issues.
Flexibly apply knowledge and experience to a wide variety of planning related tasks.
Requirements
- A relevant planning degree and full RTPI membership (or related / equivalent qualifications / professional membership) or close to gaining chartership.
- Ideally experience of working both in consultancy and the public sector focused primarily on strategic urban and infrastructure planning, policy development, evidence base research and consenting work in the UK.
- Sound, in-depth knowledge of planning law and procedures, including the changing planning and funding systems at national, regional and local levels.
- Working knowledge and experience of the UK’s infrastructure and development consenting processes.
- Experience in the management and delivery of multi-disciplinary planning projects.
- Experience of working alongside and co-ordinating a range of technical specialists providing input into planning submissions and EIAs.
- Good report writing, verbal and presentation skills, and the aptitude to rationally explain, explore and discuss planning issues.
- Excellent time management skills - able to prioritise and work effectively under pressure, with proven success in meeting tight deadlines.
- Commercial awareness and business development skills would be advantageous .
What we offer
Atkins recognise that there are many well qualified people who are looking to further their career, but who cannot commit to full time employment. We support flexible working arrangements and are interested to discuss how we can accommodate individual requirements
Training
Atkins develops individuals through a portfolio of training and development activities designed to help you make the best of your abilities and talents. These are reviewed with individuals through an annual appraisal process. We actively support staff in achieving corporate membership of relevant institutions such as IEMA, RTPI, LI, ICE, CIEEM, and CIWEM.
Rewards and Benefits
Please refer to our website for details of our full benefits package . https://www.yourrewardatkins.com/#benefits
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. 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. ATKINS, part of the SNC Lavalin Group, is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.
