About the role:
We are looking for a Principal Strategic Planner to join our friendly, award-winning 80-strong planning team.
Our strategic planning services include national and local policy development, plan-making support and evidence work as well as integrated impact assessment. We are excited about the government’s introduction of the sub-regional tier of plan-making and are well-placed to provide advice and support to help deliver the new statutory requirements. We also provide research, evaluation, and training services at all levels. Our sectoral interests include climate change and energy, green infrastructure and nature recovery, agri-environment policy, Green Belt and countryside policy, the water environment, housing, minerals and waste.
We work collaboratively with LUC’s historic environment, ecology and landscape services, as well as with a range of co-consultants. We maintain long-term and fruitful partnerships with clients in the public and private sectors, voluntary and third-sector. We listen carefully to clients’ needs, help inform their thinking about the challenges ahead, and provide intelligent, multidisciplinary responses. We’re amongst the top five providers of planning services to local authorities in England and have framework contracts with major energy companies, Sport England, Forestry England, and the Royal Parks amongst others.
We’re looking to boost project management capacity within the Strategic Planning team at Principal level in order to meet increasing demand for our services. Our team has never been busier as we support numerous local authorities around the country to navigate the government's planning reforms and continue to prepare sound and sustainable plans that respond to the current climate and ecological crises, housing shortages and health and social inequalities.
The Principal Strategic Planner role will involve:
- Managing medium-sized projects, including dealing directly with clients, attending meetings, reviewing budgets/programme, report preparation and adherence to our quality management procedures.
- Responsibility for internal team briefing and oversight of tasks and external sub-consultants where relevant.
- Tender preparation and other business development activities, including attending tender interviews.
- Some line management responsibilities.
A full-time role would be based on 37.5 hours Monday to Friday. However, LUC has a strong track record in flexible working and we have been recognised for our flexible working culture, so we are happy to discuss a range of flexible working options for this role including part time hours (minimum 30 hours per week) if desired.
Salary: £39,000 to £46,000 FTE Depending on experience (Plus £4,000 London allowance if applicable)
About you:
We are looking for a motivated, proactive project manager with some or all of the skills, knowledge and behaviours below:
Experience and qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level, ideally in a relevant planning or environmental degree e.g., planning, geography, environmental science. Or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge and expertise.
- Experience of managing strategic planning projects either through previous consultancy or local authority roles.
- Experience of undertaking, managing and/or commissioning local plan preparation including relevant evidence studies, supporting documents and policy-making.
- Excellent report writing and numeracy skills.
- Excellent communication skills and a proactive approach to building relationships with colleagues and clients.
Desirable
- Experience of undertaking, managing and/or commissioning statutory impact assessment processes such as Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment, Habitats Regulations Assessment, Health Impact Assessment and Equalities Impact Assessment.
- Knowledge of one or more of our sectoral interests, in particular climate change, green infrastructure and/or nature recovery.
- Experience of line management and mentoring.
- Membership or working towards full membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
Please apply by uploading your CV and covering letter via the above link.
LUC is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups. We value the differences, needs and contributions a diverse workforce represents, and we strive to embed equality, diversity and inclusion in all our people related activities.