Senior Planner

Job Title: Senior Planner

Main Purpose of the Job

• Responsible for delivering the objectives of the company positioning statement to provide clear realistic advice with a personalised service

• Dealing with a wide range of planning work supporting senior colleagues with the capability to work independently Developing and managing client relationships, responsible for business development activity and working towards self-sufficiency in work generation

Main Responsibilities

Planning Work

• Preparing written fee proposals for clients following practice templates and guidelines

• Undertaking planning history and policy research independently and accurately

• Undertaking site visits and preparing written and visual records independently and accurately

• Preparing written site appraisals for clients to provide a clear record of findings and advice

• Providing written and verbal planning advice to clients to provide clear recommendations

• Preparing, submitting, and proactively managing pre-application advice requests and applications including planning, enforcement, listed building consent, certificate of lawfulness and prior approvals

• Preparing planning, design & access, heritage, and other related statements for submission

• Preparing written local plan representations for site promotion

• Submitting and managing appeals by written representations and hearings including preparation of appeal statements and representation at the site visit

  or hearings at an appropriate level and supporting senior colleagues on larger schemes

• Dealing directly with clients for small/medium projects

• Coordinating a team of consultants on small/medium projects

• Assisting senior staff/Partners on larger projects

• Speaking on behalf of clients at planning committee meetings

• Regular and clear communication with clients and team at all stages of projects

• Proactive management of client relationships both as part of specific projects and outside of this 

• Undertaking all personal, project and financial administrative tasks in line with company requirements

• Preparing, maintaining, and implementing Personal Development Plan Business Development

• Handling new enquiries at an appropriate level with prompt responses and follow up to secure new instructions

• Working towards achieving self-sufficiency by building a network of contacts, actively developing client relationships, raising the personal profile, achieving recommendations and referrals, and generating own planning work

• Participation in company-wide business development projects

• Representing the company at networking events

• Preparing, maintaining, and implementing Individual Business Development Plan

• Participating in wider business operational improvement initiatives

• Any other tasks commensurate with the post

Performance Measures

Our clients have 9 Competencies to make up their Competency Framework, which supports their goals and represent the behaviours they expect to see their employees display at work:

Knowledge & Understanding

• Expertise
• Quality and Accuracy
• Commercial Focus

Impact

• Client Focus
• PlanningandOrganising
• Confidence

Personal Effectiveness

• Working with others
• MotivationandDrive
• Self-Awareness and Personal Development

Qualifications

• Chartered Planner/RTPI Member (exceptions can be considered)

• Full driving license (exceptions can be considered)

Knowledge Required

• Good understanding and ability in a range of planning work

• Good commercial understanding of development projects

• Basic commercial understanding of planning consultancy business

Experience Required

       • Range of varied and solid planning experience

       • Private sector experience desirable

Skills & Aptitudes Required

• Well organised and able to manage own time effectively to meet deadlines and budgets

• Good attention to detail, with the ability to produce high-quality work to a good level of accuracy

• Committed and able to build strong client relationships and provide great service

• Excellent communicator

• Treats colleagues with dignity and respect, and contributes towards a supportive and collaborative workplace culture

• Good literacy, numeracy, IT and administrative skills

Personal Qualities Required

• Supportive and collaborative

• Self-aware, with a desire for continued personal development

• Self-motivated and driven to achieve

• Willingness to adapt with the business