Job description: Planning manager
What does a planning manager do? Find out about the typical responsibilities, hours, salary and career opportunities.
Urban planning managers play a vital role in delivering hands-on advice and management of everything involved in developing housing and new towns from inception through to completion. As a planning manager, you will liaise with planning officials and advise the business on planning policy and regulation, ensuring that compliance is met. You will have a keen eye on budgetary constraints and play a key role in project managing all new developments.
The day-to-day
The day-to-day role of a planning manager typically involves:
-
Overseeing planning development plans and applications.
-
Advising stakeholders on planning policy and regulations.
-
Providing counsel and representation at key planning meetings and appeal hearings.
-
Managing planning compliance.
-
Informing and updating budgets associated with new developments.
-
Offering hands-on advice to management and producing reports for senior staff.
-
Training and managing junior staff.
Key responsibilities
Responsibilities will vary according to organisation and sector but may include a combination of:
-
Preparing town planning and new housing proposals in line with company strategy.
-
Obtaining planning consent for proposals.
-
Liaising with the planning team on the development of new site proposals.
-
Keeping up to date with planning regulations, policy and legislation.
-
Preparing supporting documentation for proposals including key data related to projects: land use, occupancy rates, infrastructure support, demographic and costing facts and figures.
-
Attending and presenting at proposal meetings, planning consent boards, appeal panels and public inquiries.
-
Preparing budgets and overseeing the financial administration of planning projects.
-
Communicating with key stakeholders involved in the project including external and government agencies.
-
Performing surveys and field studies where required.
-
Maintaining continual professional development in accordance with the requirements of the professional institute.
Key skills
-
Outstanding research skills together with an in-depth knowledge of town planning processes.
-
Analytical ability to understand and interpret data for a range of audiences.
-
Exemplary administration skills with an ability to make sound and appropriate judgements at each stage of the planning process.
-
Solid project management skills with an ability to be flexible when required.
-
Strong numeracy skills with some experience of managing complex budgets.
-
An ability to prioritise workloads and juggle competing demands.
-
Good listening skills with an aptitude for superior written and verbal communications.
-
Faultless planning skills including deep understanding of the planning consent process.
-
Client facing competencies with the ability to present and communicate at senior levels and across a range of stakeholders.
-
Keen knowledge and expertise of planning practice legislation across England and Wales.
-
Problem solving flair with creative skillfulness.
-
Experienced in using planning software and data systems.
-
Good interpersonal skills and a team player.
Qualifications
-
Chartered membership of The Royal Town Planning Institute or The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
-
Minimum degree qualification in town planning or related discipline.
-
Full and clean driving licence may be required.
Relevant experience
-
Five to 10 years’ proven planning experience in town and urban planning.
-
Extensive experience of the planning process from preparation and submission to consent and appeal.
-
Evidence of previous report writing and making recommendations on major planning applications.
-
Analytical track record for using and translating data for proposal planning purposes.
-
Experienced in planning laws and related legislation.
-
Project management know-how with previous experience of taking planning projects through the stages from formation to finalisation.
-
Skillful in planning and urban design software computer programmes.
-
Experienced in professional good practice.
Hours
Standard hours will be Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm. There may be a requirement to work irregular hours to fit around particular needs or to respond to planning requests that require urgent attention.
Salary
Salaries are dependent upon experience, but a typical salary range is £40,000 - £60,000 per annum plus benefits.
A planning professional’s perspective
"What I most enjoy about my job is the diversity of projects that I work on, and the day-to-day change. I really enjoy the feeling of creating something (ie new houses).
"My advice for up and coming planning managers is to keep up-to-date with ever changing planning policies and legislation so that you don’t get left behind."
- Stuart Phillips, land and planning director, Persimmon Homes, West Wales
Career Opportunities
Next steps may include:
-
Chief planning officer
-
Head of planning department
Explore all the latest planning jobs from Penguin Recruitment