Location
Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
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 to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons. The Planning Consultancy team in Central Birmingham specialises in providing commercial planning advice to a wide range of private and public sector clients. It is an established front end development team advising on development proposals throughout all stages of the planning process from feasibility, plan promotion, application, EIA and appeal. Our projects range from complex city centre regeneration sites, tall buildings, high density housing, strategic housing promotion, repurposing town centres, retail development, sports and leisure, logistics and major business parks, through to detailed listed building reuse. We act for developers, land owners, house builders, registered providers, financial institutions, strategic promoters, retailers and operators. We are proud to be involved in leading some of the region’s largest and most high-profile schemes.

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic team player with a can-do attitude. Candidates must have some private sector consultancy experience and possibly some local authority experience, a proven ability to deliver to a high standard, strong communication skills, passion to share their knowledge and a desire to learn and contribute to the ongoing success of our team. You will be a Planner with good knowledge and experience of the planning process including planning applications, permitted development, policy frameworks, plan promotion and the appeal process. You will be well versed in using critical thinking to prepare planning appraisals and strategies, the preparation of all planning documentation for developments, and the associated negotiations with planning authorities and stakeholders.

We’re looking for Planners with demonstrable experience, with the confidence and initiative to run projects themselves, but also work within a team on large scale projects.

As one of the world’s leading engineering, professional services and technical consultancy firms, at WSP, we’re passionate about the big questions. And big answers, naturally. For us that’s all about reaching beyond the expected, to do work that’ll make a profound impact felt long into the future.

A little more about your role…
Assisting in 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 for housing or employment uses. Drafting planning statements in a clear and persuasive way to support development proposals. Assisting in the planning aspects in multidisciplinary teams delivering planning projects. Attending site visits, design team and client meetings. Managing project delivery and budgetary control. Working collaboratively with colleagues from across WSP, for example in the Transport or Sustainability Teams, to ensure their advice is factored into the combined advice provided to clients by WSP. Monitoring planning applications and liaising with clients and teams to respond to consultation feedback.

Experience
Some private sector consultancy experience is essential, with possible local authority experience. Proven ability to deliver to a high standard and strong communication skills are required. Demonstrable experience in running projects independently and working within teams on large scale projects.

About you
Enthusiastic team player with a can-do attitude. Passionate about sharing knowledge and eager to learn and contribute to the ongoing success of the team. Strong organisational and communication skills. A commercial approach to planning consultancy and development. Desire to work in a growing planning team supported by fellow professionals.

Qualifications
Degree level qualification in town planning. Postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject. Chartered status (MRTPI / NIPA) is required. Sound knowledge and experience of the UK planning system, gained in the private sector setting. Strong technical skills.