We are currently looking to recruit an Associate Director to lead on the provision of planning consultancy services to our public sector clients across Capita Local Public Services, including local authorities, health trusts and education authorities.  Services to include, but not limited to, formulating a planning strategy from project conception through to planning consent.  It includes full support to help clients achieve planning policy compliance as far as possible.  Compiling all required documentation and completing of planning submissions to local planning authorities.

About us:

For more than 30 years Capita has been working across the public and private sectors, solving the complex challenges of our clients, increasing productivity, enhancing their use of technology and data, improving customer and public services and adding value to the UK and local economies.

Capita is committed to the local government sector and is the market leader in the delivery of Planning Resilience Services to Local Authority clients. We have worked with over 100 Local Authority clients nationwide and have an outstanding track record of providing Development Management, Planning Policy, Minerals and Waste and Consultancy services to our clients. We are investing in our growing capability in data analytics, robotics and automation to further develop our Plan Tech offer and to deliver digital innovation to the market.

Our team comprises 210 planning professionals located across four office locations which presents an unrivalled opportunity to be involved in a wide range of projects, providing scope for career advancement and a varied CV without the need to change employment. We believe our people are our strongest assets and we are committed to ensuring that we have policies and practices in place to recruit and retain the highest quality people.

What you will be accountable for:

• Understanding of project briefs and gaining all site information required including site visits and reviewing planning history of site

• Review adopted and emerging policy to identify planning risks and relay these to the project Client

• Co-ordinate all submission of pre-application documents including pre-application meeting at RIBA Stage 1

• Attend project team meetings when required up to the end of RIBA stage 1

• Provide professional advice and guidance to professional teams including architects

• Provide professional advice on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) including identifying any areas where CIL relief is available

• Submit an EIA screening opinion (if necessary)

• Provide professional advice in relation to affordable housing and planning submission strategy

• Negotiate and agree Planning Performance Agreements (PPA) where necessary on complex applications

• Provide the point of contact between the Local Planning Authority and the project team for any planning enquiries during pre-application stage

• Liaise with any other statutory bodies e.g. the Greater London Authority as necessary as part of the planning application

• Liaise with the Local Planning Authority and confirm to the Client a consolidated list of technical reports required to support the planning submission

• Support the Client in agreeing a scope of work for each technical consultant

• Co-ordinate with planning officers and the Project Team in relation to concerns/comments from statutory consultees, neighbours and officers to address any concerns

• Provide consultancy for any planning amendments relating to the scheme – either nonmaterial or material

• Manage the projects application inclusive of RIBA Stage 2 concept design as defined in the RIBA Plan of Work 2020 with addition of progressing the design further to complete all work associated with the planning application through to determination

• Supporting lead generation activity as we look to expand our consultancy services to public sector clients

• Seeking to maximise opportunities for further work from our clients.

• Ensuring projects are delivered in line with financial and commercial arrangements

• Working closely with marketing to promote and sell our services

• Working closely with the National Operations Director to ensure resources are available to support our growing level of sales

• To undertake the necessary financial and operational reporting for the consultancy team as required by the National Planning Director

• To maintain a high profile within the profession via networking.

• As a member of the senior leadership team, be involved in service improvements and our business operations

What we’re looking for:

• Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute

• 10 years or more relevant experience including working for public sector clients on a wide range of development schemes (including residential and mixed use schemes)

• Demonstrable experience of account management and repeat custom in planning or a related discipline

• A high level of knowledge and understanding and application of current and emerging planning legislation

• Experience of the London market / policy context is desirable

About Local Government Services

At Government Services, we’re transforming the way governments and local councils serve the public. We’re using technology, innovation and domain knowledge to improve services and deliver savings. Our teams are answering 30,000 emergency service calls every day and our Ultra Low Emissions Zone is helping Londoners breath cleaner air. Join us and discover better as you keep the country running smoothly.

What’s in it for you?

This is a pivotal time in our business development as we build on our established position as a leading provider of statutory planning services in the UK. Join us now and help shape our offer while continuing to deliver a first-rate planning service to our existing and new clients.  We will motivate you to perform at your peak, recognising your achievements and rewarding them appropriately.  As well as a generous basic salary we also offer you a minimum 23 day’s holiday, discretionary annual bonus, company pension scheme and access to voluntary benefit options including; child care vouchers, share save scheme, life assurance, holiday buy and many more designed to suit your own personal lifestyle.

• A competitive basic Salary

• 23 days’ holiday (rising to 27) with the opportunity to buy extra leave

• The opportunity to take a paid day out of the office, volunteering for our charity partners or a cause of your choice

• Company matched pension, life assurance, a cycle2work scheme, 15 weeks’ fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, paternity pay of two weeks…and plenty more

• Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle – from discounts on retail and socialising, to health & wellbeing, travel and technology

• Access to our Employee Network Groups, which represent every strand of diversity and allow colleagues to connect and learn from each other on an open, inclusive platform

You’ll get the chance to follow your chosen career path anywhere in Capita. You’ll be joining a network of 63,000 experienced, innovative and dedicated individuals across multiple disciplines and sectors. There are countless opportunities to learn new skills and develop in your career, and we’ll provide the support you need to do just that. Our purpose is to create a better outcome for you.

What we hope you’ll do next:

Choose ‘Apply now’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you. If you have any questions you’d like to ask before applying, you can contact Charlotte Barnett @ charlotte.barnett@capita.co.uk

All interviews, assessments and background checks will continue to take place online, to completely remove the need for face-to-face contact. All Capita colleagues who can work from home should do so; and where it is not possible for colleagues to work remotely, we have taken important steps to protect those working from Capita’s offices. Social distancing, enhanced hygiene and safety measures are already in place at all Capita locations that are open to protect our colleagues and manage the risk of COVID-19. The welfare of our people is of paramount importance to us, and we’re doing everything we can to keep our colleagues and customers safe during this time.

We’re an equal opportunity employer, which means we’ll consider all suitably qualified applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disability status or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and their passion for creating better outcomes, and we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.