Aecom
Trusted global infrastructure consulting firm delivering engineering, design, construction management services.
Principal Town Planner - Policy
Lead planning policy projects, manage teams, and drive business growth.
Job Highlights
About the Role
Within the town‑planning team, the Principal Planner will lead and support key policy projects, from local authority strategy and evidence studies to infrastructure and growth plans. They will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, engage directly with clients and stakeholders, and represent AECOM at conferences and networking events. The role also includes overseeing project budgets and timelines, ensuring quality assurance and health‑and‑safety standards, and managing the deliverables produced by the planning policy team. Business development is a core component, involving nurturing client relationships and contributing to commercial tender preparation. • Lead and assist on planning policy projects, including local authority strategy, evidence studies, growth and infrastructure plans. • Provide strategic planning advice to clients and internal teams. • Build and maintain relationships with clients, local authorities, and stakeholders; represent AECOM at conferences and networking events. • Coordinate multidisciplinary teams to deliver projects on budget and within programme timelines. • Oversee quality assurance, health and safety, and deliverables from the planning policy team. • Contribute to business development by nurturing client relationships and preparing commercial tenders. • Produce high‑quality technical reports and communicate complex information clearly. • Work proactively under pressure and on own initiative, ensuring high commitment to quality.
Key Responsibilities
- ▸policy planning
- ▸strategic advice
- ▸client relations
- ▸team coordination
- ▸qa oversight
- ▸business development
What You Bring
The role of Principal Planner has opened as AECOM experiences a surge in planning policy projects. The successful candidate will work alongside senior colleagues to manage a growing workload, providing strategic thinking and high‑quality delivery. The position is based in the London Aldgate Tower office, with a hybrid model and flexibility for full‑ or part‑time arrangements. Candidates must hold a degree in Town Planning or a related discipline and be members of the Royal Town Planning Institute or an equivalent body. Significant experience leading planning policy and strategy development, strong client‑focused interpersonal skills, and a proven record of winning work are essential. Excellent written and verbal communication, the ability to produce high‑quality technical reports, and the capacity to work independently under pressure are also required. • Hold a degree in Town Planning or related discipline and RTPI (or equivalent) membership. • Possess significant experience leading planning policy and strategy development in consultancy or public sector roles. • Demonstrate strong client‑focus, interpersonal, and collaborative working skills with existing client and authority relationships.
Requirements
- ▸town planning
- ▸rtpi
- ▸policy leadership
- ▸client focus
- ▸communication
- ▸report writing
Benefits
AECOM offers career progression, extensive learning and development opportunities, and a supportive, inclusive culture. Employees benefit from hybrid working options, competitive compensation, health and well‑being programmes, and a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. The firm is an equal‑opportunity and Disability Confident employer. • Enjoy hybrid working flexibility (full‑ or part‑time) based in London Aldgate Tower or other UK locations, with career progression and well‑being benefits.
Work Environment
Hybrid