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 development.
Job Highlights
About the Role
The Principal Planner role has been created to manage a growing portfolio of planning policy projects. The successful candidate will work alongside senior colleagues, lead multidisciplinary teams, and engage directly with clients and stakeholders to achieve successful planning outcomes. The position is based in the London Aldgate Tower office, with other locations and hybrid working options available, and can be full‑time or part‑time. Key responsibilities include leading and assisting on planning policy projects such as local plan development, strategic growth studies, and infrastructure strategies; providing strategic advice to clients and internal teams; building and maintaining relationships with clients, local authorities and stakeholders; overseeing project delivery to meet budget and timeline targets; ensuring quality assurance and health‑and‑safety compliance; and contributing to business development through client nurturing and tender preparation. • Lead and assist on planning policy projects, including local authority policy, strategic growth studies, and infrastructure strategies. • Provide strategic planning advice to clients and internal teams. • Build and maintain relationships with clients, local authorities, and stakeholders; represent AECOM at events and conferences. • Oversee project delivery to ensure adherence to budget, timelines, and quality standards. • Coordinate multidisciplinary teams and enforce health and safety compliance. • Contribute to business development by nurturing client relationships and preparing commercial tenders. • Produce high‑quality technical reports and communicate findings effectively.
Key Responsibilities
- ▸planning policy
- ▸strategic advice
- ▸client relations
- ▸project delivery
- ▸team coordination
- ▸technical reporting
What You Bring
Candidates must have significant experience leading planning policy and strategy development in consultancy or the public sector, strong client‑focused interpersonal skills, an existing network of client and local‑authority contacts, and a business‑development mindset with a proven track record of winning work. Required skills include producing high‑quality technical reports, excellent communication, initiative and the ability to work under pressure. A degree in Town Planning (or related) and membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (or equivalent) are essential. • Demonstrate initiative, work under pressure, and maintain a high commitment to quality. • Hold a degree in Town Planning (or related discipline) and RTPI (or equivalent) membership. • Possess significant consultancy or public‑sector experience in planning policy and strategy development.
Requirements
- ▸town planning
- ▸rtpi
- ▸planning policy
- ▸strategy development
- ▸consultancy
- ▸business development
Benefits
AECOM offers career progression within a positive, inclusive culture that supports learning and development, hybrid work flexibility, and a comprehensive suite of compensation, benefits and well‑being programs. The company promotes equity, diversity and inclusion, and fosters a safe, respectful workplace where employees can bring their whole selves to work.
Work Environment
Hybrid