Atkins, a 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. Our Planning and Environment team works directly with Atkins’ wide range of businesses in the UK and across the world on a variety of major infrastructure and development projects. The Atkins UK Planning and Environment team are one of the UK’s leading consultancies, at the forefront of thought-leadership in the field of Planning. We have lots of interesting projects working for a range of clients including Highways England, Network Rail, EDF, Environment Agency, Homes England, local authorities and private sector clients. Our client base and future pipeline of work based in the north of England is expanding and therefore we would especially welcome applicants looking to join our teams in Warrington or Leeds.
We require an experienced Senior Town Planner to join our team in the North. The candidate appointed will join a progressive national planning team with a wide range of client interests in the public and private sectors. The positions will provide additional capacity to deliver our expanding workload and will play a key role in the development of our growing national business. The successful candidates 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 people with a real passion for Planning and the skills to deliver transformative and high-quality infrastructure and communities.
The position requires a senior planner to help deliver a range of planning and development schemes through planning applications and DCO submissions, and also undertaking development feasibility and evidence-based studies. The role would also include providing high quality advice to a variety of public and private sector clients across the housing, transportation, energy and water markets. A key part of the role will also be to work collaboratively with other environmental disciplines within the wider Atkins UK teams, to provide comprehensive advice across a range of challenging infrastructure projects.
We provide a very flexible working environment with opportunities to work from home and from our regional offices and to hours which suit you. The position requires a Chartered Town Planner combining an excellent track record in planning with experience in providing advice to our growing markets in the transportation, energy, water and development sectors.
Responsibilities
- Preparation of planning applications and relevant supporting documents for a range of development proposals, including planning applications, Development Consent Order applications, and Transport and Works Act Orders;
- Negotiation of planning submissions through the consenting process;
- Preparation of strategy and policy documents, evidence-based studies and associated advice;
- Provision of planning advice to external and internal clients;
- Assisting management of project or tender opportunities;
- Resource allocation in liaison with the regional manager; and
- Management / mentoring of junior staff
- Supporting identification, development, and pursuit of new business and marketing opportunities across a range of sectors;
Requirements
- A relevant planning degree and full RTPI membership (or related / equivalent qualifications / professional membership);
- Sound knowledge of planning law and procedures, including the changing planning system at national, regional and local levels;
- Relevant experience of working in planning practice would be an advantage, with a good working knowledge from either a private sector consultant/developer or local authority perspective
- Experience in the management and delivery of multi-disciplinary planning projects;
- Experience of working alongside and coordinating a range of technical specialists providing input into planning submissions;
- Commercial awareness and business development skills would be advantageous.
The Individual
The individual must be self-motivated, enthusiastic, determined and resilient should be able to demonstrate that they can:
Work under pressure, with excellent time management skills and success in meeting tight deadlines;
Manage multiple assignments;
Work well as part of multi-disciplinary teams with the confidence to input effectively as an individual across a range of projects;
Prepare accurate reports to a high standard;
Demonstrate strong verbal communication skills and the aptitude to rationally explain, explore and discuss town planning issues;
Flexibly apply knowledge and experience to a variety of planning-related tasks.
What we offer
Atkins are committed to promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We have a commitment to identify and recruit from the most diverse talent pool and develop new and improved ways to sponsor talent from underrepresented groups. We have a range of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion network groups encouraging an inclusive workplace where all employees can flourish, including Embrace (supporting minority ethnicities), Enable (supporting visible and invisible disabilities) Equilibrium (for LGBT+ colleagues), Menopause at Work, Neurodiversity (for variations in learning, attention and other mental functions), ParentNet, and Empower (providing professional support by and for women).
Here at Atkins, well-being is at the forefront of everything we do. We recognise that there is more to life than work and that making time for the other things is crucial for health and happiness. Therefore, if working from home, working part-time or having flexible start and finish times will help with this, we are more than happy to discuss individual requirements (and to keep these requirements flexible going forward). We utilise a paid overtime and TOIL system, which also helps individuals to make time for the things that are important to them and prevents staff burn out during the busy season.” Our IT systems support home-working, so where you have parental or carer duties; or you simply need to be elsewhere for a parcel, servicing your car, or waiting in for a tradesperson; Atkins will work for you. Similarly, Atkins’ corporate social responsibility provides the opportunity to give something back to the community, and we run professional networks supporting groups such as local schools, charities, parents, those coming out of the armed-forces and women in engineering.
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 development process which is regularly reviewed. You will also be part of our global Technical Networks, which provide a flow of technically orientated information and ideas through the company. Atkins will support you in your professional development, whether with CIEEM, IEMA, CIWEM or others, we support staff in achieving and maintaining membership of relevant institutions, this includes paying your annual membership and providing access to training.
Rewards and Benefits
We offer a competitive salary that is regularly tested against other consultants with a default 25-days leave each year plus bank holidays and options to buy some or sell of that leave.
To support and safeguard your physical and mental wellbeing we provide an employee assistance programme offering advice and support in times of need. Our offices run their own sports and social club providing activities such wine tasting, as surf trips, and a kids’ Christmas party. You will also have access to our Flexible Benefits, where you can opt in to a wide range of benefits to complement your work/life balance: such as medical insurance, gym membership, the cycle-to-work scheme, child care vouchers, charitable giving, additional pension contributions etc.
Please refer to our website for details of our full benefits package. https://yourrewarduk.snclavalin.com/
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.
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. 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.”
