Senior Planner

About The Team

Our Planning & Development (P&D) team is one of the most respected in the UK. More than 130 people strong, based in London, Birmingham and Manchester, we offer one of the largest integrated teams in our sector. We remain at the forefront of policy making and our unrivalled knowledge of central and local government planning systems ensures our clients receive first class, impartial advice and innovative, intelligent solutions to meet their objectives. We have a blue-chip client base and work hard to create long-term, enduring relationships that will generate added value for our clients. We are a highly experienced, personable team with real depth of skill, knowledge, innovation commitment and resource.

As part of our strategic plan to grow our National Planning and Development business we are now seeking to hire a Senior Planner whose strong academic and technical skills are coupled with a proven track record in providing excellent client care gained in a private sector, consultancy environment, or equivalent to be based in the Manchester office, to help grow our Planning offering.

You will work with the Manchester team and other members of the P&D team on National projects. You will be involved in diverse range of projects for a variety of clients. This is likely to include work across a range of sectors including residential, BTR, mixed use developments, industrial and logistics, life sciences, urban regeneration and strategic land promotion.

Working Hours

Our hybrid working policy outlines staff to be in the office for 3 days per week, with 2 days working from home. In our offices, our desk booking app allows you to plan ahead, and book your desk up to 2 weeks ahead. We also offer great flexibility around our core hours, which are from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. You can choose to start and end your day around these hours, provided you still do your 7.25 hours per day (e.g. 8.00 am – 4.30pm, 10.00 am – 6.30 pm). There is no requirement for this to be the same each day, but you are required to keep your manager informed. This position also involves out of hours working on an ‘as necessary’ basis. We are open to considering flexible working arrangements for everyone; this can be discussed during the application process or upon commencement.

Key Attributes For The Position:

• A proven academic and career record to date demonstrating progression, successful dealing with clients at all levels and a passion for quality and excellence of service.
• Excellent commercial acumen, networking skills and the ability to participate effectively in a business driven by providing a top-level client service. Includes the ability to identify key issues relating to a problem and identify creative options and solutions for addressing these.
• The ability to establish effective relationships at all levels within and outside Gerald Eve and translate these into business growth opportunities for the Firm.
• A good personal manner, calm and authoritative, particularly when dealing with clients, but also internally, e.g. when supervising Graduate Trainees and other junior members of the team.
• The ability to use knowledge and information to identify and develop creative but practical commercial opportunities on the client’s behalf.

Main Responsibilities:

You will work closely with members of the Manchester Planning & Development team and other members of the P&D team in both London and Birmingham. The role will involve working for a number of clients and include a variety of tasks including:

• Working with other members of the team, developing individual expertise in delivering impartial professional advice and developing innovative and intelligent solutions for our clients.
• Preparation of planning applications, including major applications, representations, pre app requests and potential appeal statements.
• Undertaking planning appraisals and providing clear planning strategy and advice to clients and colleagues,
• Promotion of sites through Local Plan documents and preparations and submission of representations,
• Build effective, commercial relationships both inside and outside of the firm, based upon developing technical expertise and outstanding communication (both written and face-to-face).
• Liaison with the Development team, Agency and Capital Markets teams to advice on opportunity sites and present options to clients.
• Attending client meetings and being day to day client lead on instructions.
• Identifying business development and client care opportunities.
• Drafting thought pieces, presentations and research to raise the profile of the Gerald Eve National P&D team.
• Attendance at industry wide events/ conferences etc. as required.
• Mentor and supervise more junior team members
• Contribute positively to our culture and working environment
• Ensure financial and client onboarding compliance is being carried out for your clients and projects
• Other duties commensurate with the position/the needs of the office.

About You:

• Experience in planning projects in Manchester
• Track record on client care and relationship with clients and local authorities
• Experience in winning new business, with an ability to build networks internally and externally
• Self-motivated with a real desire to deliver excellent client service.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience in managing and/or mentoring others

Salary And Benefits:

• Salary: competitive based on market, professional experience
• 26 days’ holiday per year, plus Bank Holidays and extra days at Christmas and New Year
• Pension – We match your contributions up to 8% (after initial probationary period)
• 26 weeks full maternity pay
• 6 weeks full paternity pay
• Travel allowance
• Professional subscription (MRICS/MRTPI) paid for by the firm
• Private Medical Insurance with Vitality
• 1 paid volunteering day per year to help give back to our local communities
• Performance related staff profit share scheme
• Wellbeing allowance which can be used for either physical or mental wellbeing activities
• Access to Peppy for you and your partner – Support through underserved areas of health that fall through the gaps all too often – menopause, fertility, having a baby and men’s health
• Critical Illness Cover - Employee paid scheme offered at a competitive rate through Aviva
• Dental Insurance (self-funded) - access to employee-paid dental care at competitive rates
• Interest Free Season Ticket Loan
• Interest Free Rental Deposit Loan
• Group income protection scheme

Alongside our competitive compensation and benefits package we offer all our staff the ongoing opportunities to learn and develop, through in-house CPD sessions, further education support as well as internal and external training programmes. Gerald Eve encourage pro-bono work and volunteering as well as regular social and sporting activities to engage with all your colleagues.