Principal Town Planner (Policy)

Overview

As Principal Planner at AECOM, you will lead planning policy projects and mentor the town planning team to deliver evidence-based strategies for growth. You’ll shape local authority policy, coordinate multi-disciplinary workstreams, and represent the firm with clients and stakeholders. This role blends policy leadership with delivery, QA, and business development, across UK projects. You’ll work from London Aldgate Tower with potential for other locations, contributing to high-profile regeneration and infrastructure initiatives.

Pay / Benefits

• hybrid work options
• benefits and well-being programs
• career progression within a global firm
• focus on diversity and inclusion
• onboarding and development opportunities
• global project exposure

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the town planning team and its project delivery
• Drive planning policy strategy, local plan evidence studies, and growth studies
• Provide strategic planning advice to clients and internal teams
• Represent the organisation with clients, local authorities, and stakeholders
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary project teams to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery
• Oversee quality assurance and health and safety in planning deliverables
• Contribute to business development and win new work, including tender preparation

Key requirements

• Significant experience in planning policy and strategy development in consultancy or public sector
• Strong client focus with collaborative working style
• Established relationships with clients and local authorities
• Business development mindset with track record of work winning
• Degree in Town Planning or related discipline and RTPI membership or equivalent

• collaborative mindset
• stakeholder engagement
• leadership and people development
• planning policy development
• strategy development and evidence base creation
• project management and coordination of multi-disciplinary teams

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