Assistant Planning Adviser

We're looking for an Assistant Planning Adviser in the Midlands and East of England region. You’d be working on diverse projects in some of the UK’s best-loved places, increasing your knowledge and experience in managing policy and development.

What it's like to work here

You’ll be part of the Trust’s internal consultancy: a flexible resource of specialist skills and expertise. As one of a multidisciplinary team of experts, including curators, fundraisers, building surveyors and project managers, you’ll be working with others to help make things happen.

Your contractual place of work will be the National Trust office at The Roundhouse, in Birmingham. Our hybrid working policy means you can balance office and home working with site visits and meetings at other National Trust places. We’ll talk about this in more detail at interview, but you should expect to be at a National Trust site for 40–60% of your working week.

What you'll be doing

You’ll provide professional planning advice and support, working with colleagues in the consultancy and at National Trust places throughout the region/country. You’ll also work with planners across the Trust, with opportunities for training, professional development and sharing knowledge. You’ll be working on all kinds of challenges from major infrastructure projects to the sensitive development of the Trust’s historic buildings to help sustain their future, tackle climate change and make them more accessible for everyone. You’ll have the chance to get involved with a wide range of planning issues, with a particular focus on conservation. Mentored by a senior planning adviser, you’ll be helping many different Trust places with their planning matters and advising on development proposals. You’ll also monitor and respond to external planning applications, and consultations on local and neighbourhood plans. You’ll engage with officers at local planning authorities and with statutory consultees including Historic England and Natural England.

Who we're looking for

We’d love to hear from you if you’re:

• knowledgeable about the legislative background to planning and local government
• experienced in analysing, resolving and preparing positions and advice on planning issues
• a qualified planner with a Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)-accredited degree, or working towards chartered RTPI membership through another recognised route
• an effective communicator, able to build good working relationships
• good at listening, building trust and giving a high-quality service to colleagues
• someone with an eye for detail, good organisational skills and able to work at pace and keep to time
• a champion of inclusion, who helps support everyone to feel welcome.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places