Associate Director of Planning

Be part of an exciting team that shapes spaces for the better.

Our independent and forwardthinking multidisciplinary consultancy provides exceptional planning design and environmental services across the UK underpinned by regional knowledge servicespecific expertise and strong client relationships.

We are looking for new driven members of the team to support our growth and deliver excellence to support our aim to be the UKs leading multidisciplinary consultancy that shapes spaces for the better cocreates social and environmental value and provides a vibrant workplace full of opportunity.
We offer an environment that is diverse entrepreneurial and encourages innovation and your professional development.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer we believe in each persons potential and well help you reach yours.

Our Planning team has new opportunities arising following recent instructions and upcoming projects. We are looking for commercially focused candidates who have the technical abilities to account manage key projects at a senior level.

Our latest vacancy Associate Director

The purpose of the role:

As an Associate Director you will take a leadership role on planning projects and coordinating and overseeing projects. You will be an ambassador for the company undertaking business development through building upon existing client relationships and actively seeking opportunities for future business whilst also taking a leadership role in developing the teams core competencies assisting the Regional Director in the daytoday management of the team and undertaking direct line management responsibilities as directed by the Regional Director.

Role Responsibilities

Were looking for someone who:

• Demonstrates effective management and the ability to influence and persuade across a range of stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Helps to ensure all members of the team are effectively developed and is committed to personal CPD in pursuit of continuous learning and selfimprovement.
• Inputs into team objectives and delegates effectively.
• Demonstrates effective management of staff and direct reports not solely on a project basis.
• Takes responsibility for line management coaching mentoring training wellbeing and the performance management of more junior employees
• Assists in the technical development of staff coaching and mentoring on technical
• Assisting with others gaining professional accreditation.
• Participates in appraisals for more junior employees.
• Supports and encourages collaboration and innovation in order to deliver excellence
• Champions the Lanpro client centric agenda internally and externally.
• Establishes consolidates and builds on relationships with new and existing clients and colleagues.
• Ensures client expectations are managed appropriately and that their needs are identified and met (or exceeded)
• Provides technical input into projects and bids and uses technical knowledge to identify and realise new client opportunities.
• Responsible for negotiating major contracts with customers/clients and or suppliers/contractors including managing legal and contractual aspects.
• Develops business opportunities with new and existing clients with little or no support and demonstrates excellent judgement and ability in targeting strategic and profitable jobs.
• Makes decisions at a tactical level with some strategic input to overall functional strategy and regional Business Plan
• Freedom to make decisions affecting the function within the overall business strategy.
• Has a strong professional profile and reputation both internally and within the industry and utilises this effectively to leverage business opportunities.
• Day to day line management of junior team members to ensure effective utilisation of team members and delivery of project outcomes.
• Performs a challenging range and variety of complex technical and professional activities in the pursuit of project excellence. Ensures compliance and adherence to all applicable SHEQ procedures for self and others.
• Takes a key role in projects within relevant specialist field.
• Manages the delivery of specialised components of projects.
• Project managing a mix of large and complex planning submissions
• Project managing planning appeals including appearing at appeal hearings and/or as an expert witness at appeal inquiries.
• Performing strategic planning research and policy development including assessments of development potential.
• Undertaking site inspections and assessing the merits of proposals.
• Giving guidance to engineers/architects on the production of drawings and supplementary information in relation to planning submissions.
• Providing strategic project management input including financial management.
• Providing senior leadership within the Planning Division
• Maintaining continuing professional development in accordance with the requirements of the RTPI.

Qualifications & Experience

• An RTPI accredited degree or Masters in a related discipline
• A chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute
• Will have spent considerable time working in the planning industry ideally including some experience of working in the private sector and experience of directly managing staff or leading a team.

Essential Knowledge Skills Abilities

• Excellent communication skills and influencing abilities
• Strong client management and resolution including the ability to present at senior levels and across a range of stakeholders.
• Expert negotiation and commercial skills coupled with strong commercial knowledge.
• Excellent project management skills coupled with timeliness and accuracy
• Strong report writing skills and ability to review colleagues work providing constructive feedback
• A strong awareness of local politics and the interface between planning and politics.
• Exemplary knowledge and expertise of planning practice legislation across England and Wales.
• A natural ability to explain and discuss planning issues for varied audience

We offer benefits which benefit:

• Non contractual growth bonus scheme (up to 10% of salary if growth target is achieved as a company)
• Enhanced Annual Leave entitlement plus bank holidays (25 days for FTE & 8 bank holidays)
• Hybrid Flexible Working Environment
• Private Medical Insurance Vitality Health Care
• Enhanced Pension contribution (5%)
• Death in Service cover
• BUPA Cash Plan
• Loyalty Leave (Continuous Service accrued annual leave up to 5 days)
• Protected Continuous Professional Development Time
• Professional Body Membership cover
• 12month subscription for Headspace lifelong guide to better mental health
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts and perks Odeon Apple Amazon Prime Cafe Nero
• Employee Assistance Program (employee support including access to 24/7 counselling)

Interested in finding out more about our culture at Lanpro why not see what the team say via Glassdoor:

Lanpro Reviews: What Is It Like to Work At Lanpro Glassdoor