Associate Director Town Planning

AECOM · Bristol, England, United Kingdom

  • Junior
  • Full-time
  • Posted 2026-09-22
  • Confirmed live on 25 September 2026

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Job description

Job Description
Due to significant infrastructure planning wins and new opportunities, we are looking to bring in an Associate Director to work with the leadership team in managing and growing our planning consents team. Based from our offices in Bristol, Chesterfield and Manchester, whilst taking advance of our hybrid working policy.
You will be able to work on a range of prestigious infrastructure projects for our clients in the energy transition, rail and water development sectors, as well as a range of regional and local developments. AECOM is a market leader in UK infrastructure development, with experience of over 80 DCO projects. Join us now and you could be working on:

• numerous solar DCOs with a pipeline of future work;

• carbon capture and storage projects;

• energy transmission schemes;

• large aviation and rail projects; and

• housing and mixed-use development consenting.
Here’s what you’ll do:
You will be joining a market leading, experienced infrastructure planning team and will, be given the following responsibilities.
We are looking for a leader with proven experience in planning consents and project management. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic thinker with strong interpersonal and mentoring skills and a commitment to delivering high-quality work and driving business growth.
Team Leadership and Development

• Manage and grow our planning consents service.

• Provide line management and mentorship to junior team members
Planning Strategy and Expertise

• Lead major development applications, including the Development Consent Order (DCO) process.

• Offer strategic planning advice to both clients and internal teams.
Project Management

• Ensure projects are delivered successfully on budget and within programme timelines.

• Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams for seamless project execution.
Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Oversee the deliverables produced by the planning consents team.

• Implement and uphold quality assurance and health and safety principles.
Business Development

• Contribute to the business development strategy, nurturing client relationships.

• Lead the preparation of commercial tenders to secure new opportunities.
Does this sound like something you can do, and do well? If so, read on…
About our team
AECOM’s rapidly growing Town Planning team plays a key role in delivering major infrastructure and development projects.
AECOM is a top ten UK planning consultancy by size, employing more than 70 Chartered or Licentiate Planners. AECOM is also a worldwide leader in environmental and engineering consultancy and working as a planning consultant within AECOM means access to some of the highest profile and prestigious development projects in the UK, working with colleagues operating at the cutting edge of their disciplines as part of the largest UK environmental consultancy.
Become part of our Environment business, and collaborate with top-tier planners, impact assessment specialists and project managers to consent a variety of captivating projects, from local developments to major and national infrastructure, from developing planning strategies to obtaining consent and post consent work. At AECOM, you’ll thrive in an inclusive and forward-thinking environment where your contributions are valued.
Come grow with us.

Qualifications
Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?
Experience

• Significant relevant experience of leading applications for planning consent for large infrastructure projects across a range of consenting regimes.

• Expert witness experience would be advantageous.

Client & Stakeholder Relations

• Client focus, with good interpersonal skills and a collaborative working approach.

• Existing relationships with clients and local authorities.

• A business development mindset, with demonstrable experience of work winning and developing relationships with existing and new clients.

Skills

• Ability to write clearly and concisely.

• Ability to work on your own initiative and under pressure.

Quality & Commitment

• High level of commitment to quality.

Education & Professional Memberships

• Degree in Town Planning or a related discipline, and membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or equivalent professional body.

Additional Information
Interested in the role or curious about life at AECOM? Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more!
For further information about the role, reach out to the recruiter on LinkedIn Anne-Marie Flynn

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM
AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional serv

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