Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Town Planner

at AECOM

🏢 About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm that builds sustainable legacies through innovative solutions. Working here means tackling high-impact projects in energy, rail, water, and housing, with a commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.

About This Role

As a Senior Town Planner, you'll lead major development applications, coordinate multi-disciplinary teams, and shape sustainable infrastructure projects. Your work directly influences how communities grow and interact with their environment, making a tangible impact on the UK's built landscape.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a team stand-up to review progress on a major wind farm application, followed by drafting a Planning Statement while consulting with environmental engineers. After lunch, you could lead a client call on consent requirements, then review a colleague's Design and Access Statement before preparing inputs for a commercial tender.

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🎯 Who AECOM Is Looking For

  • Experienced in town planning for infrastructure projects like energy, rail, water, or housing, with a track record of managing complex applications.
  • Able to coordinate multi-disciplinary teams effectively, balancing technical, environmental, and community considerations.
  • Strong written communicator skilled in drafting Planning Statements and Design and Access Statements, and confident in stakeholder engagement.
  • Chartered or Licentiate Planner status (RTPI) preferred, demonstrating professional commitment and expertise.

📝 Tips for Applying to AECOM

1

Highlight specific infrastructure projects you've worked on (e.g., renewable energy, rail upgrades) and quantify outcomes like approval times or community benefits.

2

Showcase your experience coordinating teams across disciplines (engineering, environmental, design) and managing competing priorities.

3

Tailor your CV to emphasize planning application management and permitted development rights expertise, using examples from UK contexts.

4

Include a portfolio or summary of Planning Statements or Design and Access Statements you've authored, focusing on clarity and impact.

5

Research AECOM's recent infrastructure projects (e.g., HS2, Thames Tideway) and mention how your skills align with their approach.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience with major development applications and multi-disciplinary coordination, citing specific projects.', 'How you apply permitted development rights and planning consent requirements in practice.', 'Your ability to write compelling Planning Statements and Design and Access Statements that address both technical and community needs.', "Your alignment with AECOM's mission to build sustainable legacies through innovative infrastructure solutions."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review AECOM's recent infrastructure projects in the UK, especially in energy, rail, water, or housing sectors.
  • → Read AECOM's sustainability reports and corporate strategy to understand their approach to 'sustainable legacies'.
  • → Familiarize yourself with AECOM's planning and environment services page and any thought leadership they publish.
  • → Check if AECOM has any planning-related case studies or client testimonials that highlight their impact.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a major planning application you managed: challenges, team coordination, and outcome.
2 How do you approach writing a Planning Statement for a controversial infrastructure project?
3 Give an example of how you provided planning advice to a client or colleague that influenced project direction.
4 How do you stay updated on planning policy changes (e.g., NPPF updates) and apply them to your work?
5 Tell us about a time you contributed to a commercial tender: what was your role and how did you add value?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing too much on generic planning experience without linking to infrastructure projects specifically.
  • Underemphasizing team coordination skills; this role requires managing multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Neglecting to demonstrate knowledge of UK planning law and policy, especially permitted development rights.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to AECOM!

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