Town Planning Manager

Reporting to the Head of Town Planning and Consenting, the Town Planning Manager plays a key role in shaping Heathrow’s sustainable future by developing and implementing planning and consenting strategies that support the airport’s long-term growth and investment ambitions. The role is responsible for helping secure the planning consents required to deliver Heathrow’s capital investment programmes, working across a diverse portfolio of infrastructure and development projects. Drawing on expertise in both the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA) and Development Consent Order (DCO) regimes, you will provide strategic planning guidance that enables successful project delivery while balancing operational, environmental and community considerations.

This is an opportunity to influence some of the UK’s most significant aviation and infrastructure developments. You will provide trusted advice on national, regional and local planning policy, helping to shape and influence emerging policy frameworks, including matters relating to the Airports National Policy Statement, to protect and promote Heathrow’s interests. Success in the role requires strong stakeholder engagement skills, commercial awareness and the ability to navigate complex planning challenges with confidence and credibility. As a visible and collaborative presence at Heathrow’s Compass Centre, you will build strong relationships across the business, with external partners and key decision-makers, ensuring planning considerations are effectively integrated into strategic and operational decision-making.

• Advise the business on all matters relating to planning policy (including the Airports National Policy Statement) and the promotion of capital investment projects through the planning system.   
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key external stakeholders in the planning system including local planning authorities, the Planning Inspectorate and other external agencies. 

Oversee planning applications and other submissions to facilitate delivery of Heathrow’s capital investment plan and ensure advice on all planning matters proactively provided to the business. 

Provide advice on DCO and consenting activities relating to Heathrow’s long term growth plans, and assist in the development and implementation of a clear consenting strategy, pre-application processes, and preparation and submission of DCO application and any other planning applications.   

Ensure processes in place to monitor and respond to planning policy and legislative reform and third-party planning applications and deliver robust responses to policy and development consultations in a way that protects and promotes Heathrow’s interests. 

Ensure processes in place to secure compliance with planning laws and conditions/obligations attached to existing planning consents. 

• Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute or working towards Chartered Membership 
• Relevant DCO experience of developing infrastructure in a planning and consenting role
• Excellent knowledge of UK planning law and regulation as well as policies and procedures
• Significant planning experience within an established UK Planning team
• Significant experience in handling Planning, Environmental Impact Assessment, Compulsory Acquisition and Statutory Consultation matters related to large infrastructure projects
• Interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Ideally, you will also have

• Planning, aviation or related post graduate qualifications
• Knowledge in Airspace Change Process
• Interest in public policy and political affairs