Policy Planners- Town Planning

Joining Arup

Are you passionate about building a more sustainable future? At Arup we work to find solutions for some of the world’s most complex problems – providing expertise across all areas of the built environment from strategic approach and planning to design and engineering. 

Around the globe, Arup’s Cities, Planning and Design (CPD) portfolio brings specialist knowledge to a range of challenges including delivering major infrastructure, strategies to achieve sustainable economic development, supporting the transition to sustainable energy, embedding social value, preparing policy frameworks to support growth, conserving valuable built and natural environments and engaging with our stakeholders to achieve inclusive decision making.   

Watch this short clip to discover how Arup are shaping a better world and how you could be a part of it!

Across the UK we have a growing team of Policy Planners within our national Town Planning business who are working on a wide range of exciting projects responding to the new Government’s growth agenda and directly shaping the future of places.  Our policy planners work with a diverse portfolio of clients including central government, local and devolved authorities, developers and infrastructure providers. We are working on some of the most challenging and high profile planning projects in the country, from supporting MHCLG with local plan and digital reform, to developing masterplans, strategies and governance to realise the next generation of New Towns.  We also work closely with Local Authorities to manage the production of Local Plans, draft policies and prepare evidence bases, for example in respect of climate change, infrastructure and Green Belt. .

The Opportunities

We are looking for Senior and Associate level Policy Planners with a background in cities, planning policy, strategic planning, governance and delivery vehicles. 

As Senior Planners and Associates you will be responsible for managing assignments for a mix of public and private sector clients; and will work with a wide range of consultants from across Arup’s disciplines. You will manage client relationships with government departments, local authorities, project and property developers, infrastructure operators, and other organisations across the public and private sectors.  Additionally, as an Associate you will help develop the town planning business through pursuing strategic opportunities, winning new contracts, and managing senior relationships.

Required skills and knowledge

• Degree and/or masters in town planning or similar equivalent degree (e.g. geography). 
• Good knowledge of planning legislation and planning policy. 
• Understanding of how to prepare policy documents and to advice clients on policy issues at all levels – national through to local. 
• Experience of attending client meetings and general contributions to the development of a town planning business. 
• Ability to articulate complex issues concisely, write reports, present effectively, and manage client relationships. 
• Commercial/financial management that can be applied to the profitable management of projects. 

Additional Required Skills and Knowledge for Associate Policy Planner Roles 

• Experience working (either as a team member or as a consultant) with one or more of our key clients, such as MHCLG, Homes England, GLA, major local/ city / regional authorities and property developers. 
• An existing network of contacts across the cities, housing or transport industries. 
• Previous consultancy experience and a track record in winning consultancy work and wider business development. 
• A keen interest in cities, and an appreciation of the challenges and opportunities that they face, along with an understanding of the interaction of major policy areas (housing, funding and financing, transport, regeneration, quality of life, and others).  

Not ready to apply just yet or have some questions? Contact Rachel Connolly at rachel.connolly@arup.com - Please note, to ensure we remain GDPR compliant do not send your CV directly to us via this email

 What We Offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together. 

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.  

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts. 

We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.  

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup. 

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Rachel Connolly at rachel.connolly@arup.com to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.

Our Application Process

To understand what to expect next, please visit https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/

Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list.

Closing Date; 15th November 2024

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