Policy Planner - Principal & Associate

Joining Arup

Arup's purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

Around the globe, Arup’s Cities, Planning and Design (CPD) portfolio brings specialist knowledge to a range of challenges including delivering major infrastructure, strategies to achieve sustainable economic development, supporting the transition to sustainable energy, embedding social value, preparing policy frameworks to support growth, conserving valuable built and natural environments and engaging with our stakeholders to achieve inclusive decision making.

Across the UK we have a growing team of Policy Planners within our national Town Planning business who are working on a wide range of exciting projects responding to the new Government’s growth agenda and directly shaping the future of places. Our policy planners work with a diverse portfolio of clients including central government, local and devolved authorities, developers and infrastructure providers.

We are working on some of the most challenging and high profile planning projects in the country, from supporting MHCLG with local plan and digital reform, to developing masterplans, strategies and governance to realise the next generation of New Towns. We also work closely with Local Authorities to manage the production of Local Plans, draft policies and prepare evidence bases, for example in respect of climate change, infrastructure and Green Belt.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas. You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

We are looking for Principal level Policy Planners with a background in cities, planning policy, strategic planning, governance and delivery vehicles.

Managing assignments for a mix of public and private sector clients and working with a wide range of consultants from across Arup’s disciplines. You will manage client relationships with government departments, local authorities, project and property developers, infrastructure operators, and other organisations across the public and private sectors. Additionally, you will help develop the town planning business through pursuing strategic opportunities, winning new contracts, and managing senior relationships.

• Degree in town planning or similar equivalent degree (e.g. geography) & Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI)
• Good knowledge of planning legislation and planning policy.
• Understanding of how to prepare policy documents and to advise clients on policy issues at all levels – national through to local.
• Experience of attending client meetings and general contributions to the development of a town planning business.
• Ability to articulate complex issues concisely, write reports, present effectively, and manage client relationships.
• Commercial/financial management that can be applied to the profitable management of projects.

Not ready to apply just yet or have some questions? Contact Rachel Connolly at  – Please note, to ensure we remain GDPR compliant do not send your CV directly to us via this email.

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s…