Job Title: Planner / Senior Planner 

Department: Planning 

Location: Manchester - hybrid working 

About us:

The planning team based out of the Lambert Smith Hampton Manchester office is a key component in providing consultancy services to developers, investors, landowners, house builders and the public sector across the region. With a team in each of the major English cities and regions, the team can draw on a deep knowledge pool across the service line along with the wider urban design, development consultancy and regeneration teams in Manchester.

We have a varied portfolio of clients and the vast majority of our work is repeat business or on recommendation, endorsing the quality of our work. Our wide range of clients includes landowners and developers of all sizes, housebuilders, retailers, contractors, local authorities, and other public agencies (HS2, Homes England, DfE etc).

We are experienced in all matters relating to site promotion, regeneration, masterplanning, and preparing planning applications to provide the best prospects for bringing forward development. We work across a variety of schemes of all shapes and sizes, dealing with a range of issues including major brownfield regeneration sites, greenfield site allocations, and heritage and conservation matters. The team also prepares evidence base reports for local plan preparation, including retail, employment and housing needs for both the private and public sector, and is a recognised market leader in planning for vital and viable town centres.

The work carried out by our planning team is diverse and rewarding, having direct impact on our clients business and providing true value across the LSH. The services we provide cover:

• Dealing with planning policy and site appraisals;
• Preparing and managing planning applications;
• Regeneration Initiatives;
• Preparation of evidence base documents;
• Local plan promotion and monitoring;
• Stakeholder engagement and public consultation support;
• Economic and employment impact assessments;
• Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy negotiations;
• Expert witness / planning appeals.

Key focus of job: 

To handle all planning instructions in the existing portfolio of both national and local clients effectively across Manchester and the North West.

To actively deliver high quality planning consultancy for new business from existing and prospective clients, for both the division and the wider LSH business.

Main tasks:

1. To manage instructions within the existing portfolio and relationships with clients and others in the local planning and property market.
2. To prepare reports and statements, as required, to support work of the team.
3. To identify and support on major bids for work.
4. To understand, appreciate and satisfy financial performance targets.
5. To continually strive to improve working practices and client service delivery for the whole team;
6. To provide an informed view on national developments and trends in Planning;
7. To monitor and ensure effective and efficient co-ordination of internal resources to deliver project results for our clients;
8. To liaise (where appropriate) with other LSH operations and services, particularly in relation to the Planning, and Development Consultancy Division.
9. To represent LSH and the full range of property related services available to clients.
10. To contribute to the business development of the wider team.

Main capabilities:

Technical Skills

• Planning related degree with proven professional experience
• Chartered MRTPI / RICS (planning)
• Computer Literacy, specifically in Microsoft Office and windows and other software.
• Demonstrates the ability to make effective presentations to clients;
• Able to develop business planning skills including fee forecasting and fee proposals

Customer Focus

• Demonstrates a clear understanding of client requirements;
• Provide high quality and competent professional advice to our clients;
• Enjoys the clear confidence and respect of clients;
• Collects, reviews and acts upon client feedback;
• Researches into current and future client requirements;
• Generates new business for the Company from own efforts and through working with others;
• Demonstrates an awareness of Planning and Development market trends.

Organisational Focus 

• Relates the implications of events and trends to the bigger picture 
• Seeks to improve personal and team service delivery; 
• Actively generates confidence and purpose in others by demonstrating conviction in the Company, its services and self. 

Interpersonal Skills

• Understands and listens to the personal needs of others;
• Communicates and converses well and is clearly understood by others in team.  

Analytical Reasoning

• Demonstrates good attention to detail by regularly producing carefully prepared, accurate work;
• Uses thorough and effective data gathering techniques in all aspects of the work;

Communication 

• Experienced and capable presenter, both of technical and business matters.

Personal Qualities 

• Presents a professional image when dealing with clients and demonstrates self confidence;
• Demonstrates confidence and understands own strengths and weaknesses
• Demonstrates ambition and commitment for self development and promotion;
• Makes things happen through others; 
• Manages own time and exercises good commercial judgement to maximise fee earning potential 
• Team Player 

We understand the value that a diverse and inclusive working environment brings to Lambert Smith Hampton. We celebrate the different perspectives and insights that people can bring through their cultures and backgrounds. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or any other protected characteristic.