Associate Director (Environment)

Our client is a major design, engineering and project management consultancy who has been rapidly growing within various sectors. They are looking for a Associate Director (Environment) located in Belfast. They offer Full-time, part-time, and/or flexible hours contracts.  

The position requires a candidate that combines an excellent track record in planning with experience in large infrastructure projects with excellent business and people skills that will help them develop and strengthen their team in Scotland.  

Responsibilities include:  

- Preparation of applications for a range of planning applications, also providing support on Electricity Act Section 36/37 applications, Development Consent Orders and Transport Works Act Orders.  

- Undertake site appraisals, policy reviews and evidence based research.  

- Drafting, checking and reviewing high quality supporting reports.  

- Negotiation of planning submissions successfully through the consenting process.  

- Provide high-quality planning advice to external and internal clients on planning consenting process for a range of development and infrastructure projects.  

- Manage project inputs from other technical disciplines within the business and external consultants.  

- Develop client network and collaborate with colleagues across the business to win work including through formal tenders and bids.  

- Manage client communication, reporting and stakeholder engagement.  

- Financial management of projects.  

- Team Development, Team Leadership and Line Management duties.

- A degree or post graduate qualification in Town and Country Planning (RTPI accredited).  

- Chartered membership of RTPI.  

- Detailed relevant experience Working in consultancy, a local authority planning team or similar.  

- A sound, in-depth knowledge of Scottish planning law and procedures.  

- Proven experience of managing and delivering multi-disciplinary projects; ability and aptitude to work alongside and coordinate internal and external technical specialists.  

- Proven experience of building successful relationships with internal and external stakeholders.  

- Sound commercial awareness and proven ability to manage project budgets.  

- Able to check and review complex documents and summarise and present key issues in a clear and concise way, understandable to non-specialists.  

- Client- facing with experience of managing their needs in a confident, professional manner.  

- Strong report writing, verbal and presentation skills, and the aptitude to rationally explain, explore and discuss planning, development and environmental issues.  

- Excellent time management skills - able to prioritise and work effectively under pressure, with proven success in meeting tight deadlines.  

- Flexible, adaptable and prepared to take on new challenges and work from other business or client office locations.  

- Personal qualities required include being self-motivated, a team player, enthusiastic, committed and resilient and with an ability to inspire.  

- Team leadership.