Town Planner Graduate null

About AECOM UK

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, the public- and private-sector clients trust AECOM to solve their most complex challenges.

Your role

Job description

The AECOM Planning Practice projects include some of the largest, most complex and high-profile development and regeneration projects in the UK for both public and private sector clients. AECOM is a young, dynamic, planning team that works closely with colleagues in other related disciplines, including master planning, landscape, environment, sustainability, transport and economics.

As a Graduate, you will play a role in supporting a wide variety of projects, engaging directly with clients and stakeholders to secure successful planning outcomes. Work portfolios are managed to ensure that all staff experience a breadth and depth of project opportunities (including plan-making, development management and infrastructure projects).  

The main duties would be to:

• Provide technical inputs to land use planning projects and work with a team of planners, urban designers, environmental specialists, landscape architects and engineers to deliver a range of projects including land development, master planning, policy planning and strategic development planning projects.
• Play a supporting role in the preparation of planning applications for a range of infrastructure, large-scale residential and mixed-use schemes, working with other disciplines in multi-disciplinary teams. This would for example include writing planning statements or policy appraisals and liaising with the client and other stakeholders to achieve successful planning outcomes.
• Carry out planning research and analysis and assist with the identification of planning risk.
• Support others in the team to identify and pursue business development opportunities, and support the growth of the business through new and repeat clients. Contribute to proposals and qualification documents to secure new commissions.
• Provide effective representation for the organisation, developing and managing relationships with clients, local authorities and other stakeholders through project work and through attendance at conferences and other networking events.
• Participate in the successful operation and management of the town planning team, including playing a role in sharing technical knowledge and excellence.
• Provide assistance to the management team as required.

Training & development

AECOM Graduate Development Programme (ADVANCE) along with its huge scope of projects across the globe will challenge and inspire you to make a real difference in the world they live in. The company will provide you with all the tools and support you need to achieve your professional development ambitions, including Chartership with the relevant international professional institution and will push you to achieve the highest standards and expect graduates to pass their professional review the first time. You will be assigned a mentor to support and guide your development, and you will take regular training modules throughout the programme.

Benefits

AECOM offers competitive salaries, benefits, and a working environment where you’re valued as part of the team.

• Bi-annual salary review while on the GDP.
• 25 days annual leave, plus all public holidays
• Opportunity to buy and sell holidays.
• 2 paid corporate social value days per year.
• Private medical insurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Eye care vouchers.
• 15 days paid leave per annum for formally signed-up reservist

Career progression

AECOM works closely with the RTPI to provide comprehensive training and support to the graduates undertaking the Assessment of Professional Competence. AECOM offers the opportunity to network with other planners and professionals at frequent events, meet-ups and knowledge-sharing sessions to support and enable you to achieve your career ambitions. AECOM will help you work towards becoming a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Work-life balance

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

Culture & vibe

AECOM is committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) within AECOM and the industry. The environment at work is safe and respectful, where each employee is empowered to bring their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to bear on some of the world’s most complex challenges and where everyone can thrive both personally and professionally.

About you

Qualifications

• A graduate with a degree-level qualification in Town or Urban Planning or a related discipline (minimum 2:1). A postgraduate planning degree is preferred.
• A hard-working and highly motivated individual with excellent communication, presentation and report-writing skills.
• Planning work experience beyond academic study (achieved either during studies, industrial placement, vacation work or since).
• Able to work on own initiative and under pressure.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office including Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• Sound knowledge of UK Planning policy and legislation.
• Interest in all aspects of Planning.
• Successfully manage time to meet project deadlines.
• Client-focused with good interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach with a high level of commitment to quality.
• Full current driving licence is preferred (although not essential) and access to a form of transport to travel to various sites to carry out the duties of the post. Please indicate if you hold this within your application.

How to apply

Application process

• Online registration
• Situational Judgement Test (SJT), which places you in scenarios you can expect to experience in AECOM, asks you to confirm the most and least appropriate action to take
• Online Numerical Reasoning (only for certain roles)
• Final-stage technical assessment or assessment day in the office for which you are being considered, or remotely if you are not based in the United Kingdom or Ireland

Sources

The following sources were used in researching this page

• aecom.jobs/london-gbr
• aecom.com/uk-ireland-graduate-careers/uk-ireland-gdp-benefits
• aecom.com/wp-content/uploads/documents/careers/aecom_avp.pdf
• aecom.com/uk-ireland-graduate-careers/uk-ireland-gdp-application-assessment
• youtube.com/@AECOM