Associate / Technical Director - Planning & EIA

SLR has a successful and growing Planning and Environmental Impact Assessment team that works across all business sectors throughout the UK, along with international businesses. We are looking to further expand the planning team based in Manchester and Bolton, with the appointment of someone with relevant town planning qualifications and experience at Associate (SLR Principal) level, with the potential for a more senior (Technical Director) role for the right candidate.

You will be involved in a variety of projects from major planning and EIA applications to smaller submissions, site promotion work, planning appeals, planning appraisals, and more, for a wide range of clients. You will help to support the team in supplying the full range of planning services to clients, working alongside our internal technical teams as well as external consultant / project teams. In addition, you will be expected to win new clients where the opportunity arises, helping grow the portfolio and professional development of the Northern Planning Team.

SLR's Northern Planning Team leads a range of diverse planning projects, including energy, minerals, waste, commercial and residential, across England for both national and regional clients. You'll be an integral part of a dynamic and growing team that values collaboration, innovation, and delivering high-quality planning advice. You’ll contribute to shaping sustainable communities, managing complex projects, and supporting clients through every stage of the planning process.

The role will comprise a mixture of home working and working from your preferred office, with opportunities to work from our Manchester office (Northern Quarter) or Bolton (Middlebrook). The planning team is usually in the office three days a week.

Rewards & Benefits

SLR's ‘One Team’ culture is at the heart of our business, providing a collaborative and supportive environment where people can develop and grow. Through a structured career framework, regular performance reviews, and support towards chartership, professional qualifications and licences, we offer excellent opportunities for long-term career progression. Our flexible benefits and reward package includes:

• Competitive salary with discretionary bonus
• Company pension
• Private medical insurance
• Life, income, and travel insurance
• Salary sacrifice car lease and cycle‑to‑work schemes
• Volunteering and Community Giving

• Flexible, hybrid and agile working
• 25 days’ annual leave plus flexible public holidays
• Buy or sell leave options
• Core working hours
• Cross‑border remote working and sabbatical opportunities
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave pay
• Workplace Nursery benefit

The role

You will work within an experienced team, with the opportunity to work with the SLR offices around the UK and be involved in a series of exciting challenges with one of the leading environmental consultancies in the UK.

While our Northern planning team works on a wide range of energy, minerals, waste and commercial schemes, offering involvement in a broad range of planning projects, we are looking for someone with a strong residential and commercial focus to develop new projects, predominantly in the North-west. The ideal candidate will work to expand the Manchester team and to bring in new work and ideally be central to growing our presence in Manchester.

• Lead and manage a range of planning projects from initial inception and early strategy development, including site promotion, through to consent and development stages
• Provide strategic planning advice throughout the development process
• Work alongside the planning director and wider team to lead and coordinate a range of in-house and external technical specialists
• Contribute to developing and expanding the client base for the team
• Lead on the management, preparation and review of a range of planning and technical reports and supporting documentation
• Represent the business and its clients to key stakeholders, local authorities and regulators
• Participate in business development and networking activities to promote SLR and the Northern Planning Team to new and existing clients, and other development professionals

You will also be supported in growing your professional experience through work on a range of projects and access to CPD opportunities, within a supportive and friendly team.

About you

If you have the requisite town planning experience and driving licence, we'd love to hear from you! We are looking for someone with:

• Planning-related degree or post-graduate qualification, along with a sound knowledge of the planning system
• MRTPI qualified with significant private sector experience (or demonstrable experience at a comparable level) in the town planning sector
• Strong track record of winning work and the drive to develop new business opportunities and shape your own client portfolio
• Proven team leadership and stakeholder/client management skills
• Excellent organisational, communication and report writing skills
• Enthusiasm to mentor and support junior members of the team as well;
• Proven ability to work to deadlines and budgets and manage programmes
• Self-motivated and comfortable with autonomy to run work streams independently

Culture & Inclusion

Inclusion is fundamental to who we are. We are committed to equal opportunities and foster a workplace where everyone can thrive, supported by active Culture & Inclusion Committees and Employee Networks. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are a Disability Confident Committed employer. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.