Aecom
Trusted global infrastructure consulting firm delivering engineering, design, construction management services.
Associate Director, Planning Policy
Lead planning policy projects, manage teams, and drive business development.
Job Highlights
About the Role
Due to a significant increase in planning policy project wins and new opportunities, we are looking to bring in an Associate Director to work with the leadership team in managing our growing workload. You will manage key planning policy projects, working alongside multi‑disciplinary teams and engaging directly with clients and stakeholders to secure successful planning outcomes. We work on sub‑regional spatial plans, local plans, strategic masterplans and neighbourhood planning, supporting authorities with evidence studies, policy development, and multi‑disciplinary coordination to create places where people want to live and invest. • Lead and mentor the town planning team, providing line management to junior members. • Deliver key planning policy projects, including local authority policy, local plans, strategic growth studies, and infrastructure strategies. • Offer strategic planning advice to clients and internal teams and represent AECOM at conferences and networking events. • Coordinate multi‑disciplinary teams to ensure projects are delivered on budget and schedule. • Oversee quality assurance, health and safety compliance, and deliverables from the planning policy team. • Contribute to business development by nurturing client relationships and preparing commercial tenders. • Maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships and possess an existing network of contacts. • Produce high‑quality technical reports and communicate findings effectively.
Key Responsibilities
- ▸team leadership
- ▸planning policy
- ▸strategic advice
- ▸multi‑disciplinary coordination
- ▸quality assurance
- ▸business development
What You Bring
We need a leader with proven experience in planning policy, strategy and project management. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic thinker with strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to delivering high‑quality work and driving business growth. The role can be based in any of our UK offices – London Aldgate, Basingstoke, Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge, Chesterfield, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham or Plymouth – with AECOM fully supporting hybrid working. We seek candidates with significant experience leading and contributing to planning policy and strategy development in a consultancy or public‑sector role, strong client and stakeholder relationship skills, and an existing network of contacts. You must be able to produce high‑quality technical reports, communicate clearly, work independently under pressure, and demonstrate a high level of commitment to quality. A degree in Town Planning or a related discipline and membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or equivalent professional body are required. • Demonstrate extensive experience in planning policy and strategy development within consultancy or public sector. • Hold a degree in Town Planning (or related) and RTPI (or equivalent) membership.
Requirements
- ▸town planning
- ▸rtpi membership
- ▸policy strategy
- ▸project management
- ▸stakeholder management
- ▸leadership
Benefits
It is available on a full‑time or part‑time basis, allowing us to tailor the role to suit your individual circumstances. Joining AECOM provides opportunities for career progression within a positive culture where learning and development are actively supported and promoted. AECOM values diversity and inclusion, welcomes applications from all backgrounds and abilities, and offers reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities. We offer hybrid work options, flexible full‑time or part‑time arrangements, a wide array of compensation, benefits and well‑being programs, and access to industry‑leading technology and global resources. As an Equal Opportunity and Disability Confident Employer, we provide interview opportunities for candidates with disabilities who meet the essential criteria. • Benefit from hybrid working, flexible full‑time/part‑time options, and a comprehensive well‑being program. • Join a global firm that supports career progression, learning and development, and a diverse inclusive culture.
Work Environment
Hybrid