Planning & Consents Manager

An exciting opportunity has emerged within a dynamic organisation at the forefront of infrastructure and operational change. The business is currently undertaking a major capital programme focused on modernisation, electrification, and sustainable growth and is looking for an experienced professional to lead its planning and consents strategy.

Operating at national scale, the organisation plays a key role in enabling essential services across the UK. This role sits at the intersection of development, regulation, and stakeholder management, requiring both technical expertise and strategic oversight.

• Lead the development and delivery of robust consenting strategies across a diverse property and infrastructure portfolio.
• Provide early-stage desktop screening and planning advice to internal teams, outlining risks, opportunities, timelines, and routes to securing consents.
• Assist in engaging and managing external consultants, including defining clear scopes and ensuring high standards of output.
• Build and maintain relationships with statutory bodies and local, regional, and national stakeholders.
• Track planning policy changes and feed back implications for project strategy and delivery.

• All third-party consents and planning permissions secured to support business and project objectives.
• Compliance with health and safety and regulatory requirements, including CDM and BREEAM where relevant.
• Strategic input to depot electrification and smaller capital works, ensuring professional standards and timely delivery.

• Minimum 7 years' experience in town planning or consents for major development projects.
• Degree-qualified in a relevant discipline; RTPI membership (or working towards) preferred.
• Strong ability to challenge, influence, and advise stakeholders to ensure sound planning decisions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in heritage consent management would be an advantage.

This is a high-impact role in a business that s investing ambitiously in the future of its operations, assets, and services. If you re ready to guide change across a complex and fast-evolving estate, we d love to hear from you.

About the Organisation

This role sits within a major UK transport group known for delivering over a billion passenger journeys annually across bus and rail networks. With operations spanning the UK and internationally, the organisation is committed to innovation, sustainability, and community-focused service. Its values centre on reliability, accessibility, and continuous improvement making it a trusted partner to local authorities and a vital contributor to public transport infrastructure