Principal Planner

Dalcour Maclaren

Principal Planner leading environmental planning projects in Utilities and Infrastructure industry. Collaborating with stakeholders to achieve net zero goals and manage planning applications.

Posted 7/29/2026full-timeBicester • 🇬🇧 United KingdomLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in environmental planning and project management, with a strong focus on technical planning specialisms, stakeholder engagement, and compliance with UK environmental legislation. Possesses analytical skills and the ability to prepare comprehensive planning reports and proposals while mentoring junior staff and driving team performance.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Chartered Membership Of The Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI)Environmental Planning ServicesGIS Systems KnowledgeAnalytical And Presentation SkillsStakeholder Engagement

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Environmental PlanningFeasibility AssessmentsPlanning ApplicationsTechnical Report WritingProject CoordinationRegulatory ComplianceAnalytical SkillsPresentation SkillsNegotiation SkillsTeam Management

Soft Skills

Communication SkillsSelf-MotivatedOrganizational SkillsTeam PlayerCan-Do Attitude

Tools & Technologies

GIS Systems

Certifications & Qualifications

Chartered Membership Of The Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI)

Industry Keywords

Environmental SensitivitiesPlanning LegislationClient Relationship ManagementCPD (Continuing Professional Development)Local Authority Planning

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Take lead in delivery of range of environmental planning services with a focus on technical Planning specialisms for projects and sites with varying levels of environmental sensitivities, including feasibility assessments, screening, scoping, planning and coordinating projects in line with relevant Environmental and Planning related guidance, legislation and policy as applied in UK, providing advice and preparing and delivering a range of planning and technical related reports; including planning applications.
Develop and maintain strong working relationships with a range of internal and external project stakeholders including client teams, technical specialists and Local Authority planning officers whilst also drawing on the expertise of specialist colleagues, attending relevant meetings and site visits.
Reporting directly to the client, take ownership of own/team performance in meeting deadlines and objectives and use a proactive approach and own high level initiative to drive progress and continuously improve delivery.
Offer the wider Environmental and Planning team assistance on other projects and actively support team and wider business development, using own experienced skills to provide guidance on complex cases, seek efficiency gains and identify areas of new work and ways to cross-sell wider company services.
Maintain own knowledge and skills via company and wider CPD and, if working towards professional membership or qualification (e.g. RTPI), take responsibility for own learning and progress, scheduling progress review meetings and maintaining an up to date record of activities.
Monitor, support and coordinate the work and development of more junior members of staff and, if applicable, provide constructive line management to own line reports, engaging in regular progress review and feedback meetings, delegating tasks effectively and showing genuine interest in their welfare and development whilst also being able to hold difficult conversations.
Participate in and actively support company groups, initiatives, events and socials, promoting DM’s values and always engendering a positive attitude within the workplace.
Carry out work in compliance with relevant legal, regulatory, contractual and organisational requirements and policies.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Have a relevant planning degree and have achieved chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI).
Have sound analytical and presentation skills coupled with great written and verbal communication skills; ideally you will be able to write and prepare fee proposals for the work you undertake and advise others when inputting into larger multi-disciplinary projects
Be commercially aware, enabling you to understand client needs and requirements when undertaking negotiations with stakeholders
Be an excellent communicator with the willingness to learn and develop
Have good knowledge of GIS systems and an understanding of environmental technical disciplines
Be self-motivated and organised
Have a full UK driving licence
Be a great team player and have a can-do attitude.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual bonus scheme
25 days annual leave plus 1 day to celebrate your birthday
Vitality Health Membership (including Private healthcare, subsidised gym membership and other discounts)
Flexible working through our ‘Flexible Advantage’ supporting working families & your work/life balance
Pension Scheme via The Peoples Pension
Life insurance (4x Base Salary)
Free on-site parking in non-city centre offices
Cycle to work scheme
26 Weeks paid Maternity Leave
4 Weeks paid Paternity Leave
BHN Extras – provides discounted gift cards for hundreds of popular retailers
Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme (provided by Octopus Electric Vehicles) effective at 1 years’ service
Sabbatical Policy effective at 3 years’ service
Professional development – paid study leave
Military service paid leave (7.5 days per year)
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) plus wider Mental Health & Wellbeing support
2 x Company-wide events every year, in addition to multiple office socials throughout the year