Spatial Planner

National Highways have an exciting opportunity for a Spatial Planner to join our team in the Bristol region. The Spatial Planner will play an active and responsive role in the planning system by taking a proactive approach, helping to ensure that new developments are well located and planned for, and the travel demands they create are also managed and sustainable for the strategic road network. The Spatial Planner will also work with local partners to understand and address the transport impact of spatial planning aspirations and with developers to identify what works are necessary on the network to mitigate the transport impact created. About the job.

• Cooperating with Local Planning Authorities and relevant stakeholders in the development of local plans and strategic growth plans.
• Discharge our statutory responsibilities within the planning process, including the commissioning of specialist consultant support where necessary.
• Apply specialist knowledge to evaluate the potential impact and implications of the more complex planning applications on the Strategic Road Network to enable a measured, robust and informed response to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the SRN is maintained.
• Manage ongoing liaison with key external stakeholders, through attendance at local planning meetings and other planning or discussion forums, providing evidence-based and transparent guidance and advice on future local plans, as well as sharing information of National Highways emerging strategies and future development works for the region.
• Attend and represent the Region at public examinations, appeals and public inquiries. Work closely with internal and external partners to identify and secure funding opportunities for improvements to the network in support of economic growth e.g. through developer contributions or the Growth and Housing fund.
  
  Demonstrable experience and understanding of spatial planning and associated legislation including development management
• Proven practical understanding of the complex requirements of infrastructure development programmes and the prioritisation of needs in order to develop, manage and maintain a safe and efficient world-class asset
• Qualified Town Planner or Transport Planner, or equivalent professional experience (Chartership or willing to work towards is desirable)
• Experience of working with local planning and highway authorities, local enterprise partnerships within a political landscape supported by evidence of working successfully with a wide range of officials within such external stakeholder organisations
• Excellent stakeholder management, both internally and externally
  
  Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England's motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this, are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership.
Operations is at the heart of keeping the strategic road network moving and ensuring our customers get the best possible experience when using our roads. We address over 39,000 customer enquiries every month, plan and deliver all maintenance activities on the network, drive efficiencies and improvements across our systems and roads, and respond to incidents across 4,500 miles of motorways and major A-roads that we manage. All to make sure National Highways customers have safer, smoother, and more reliable journeys. Why you should join us At National Highways we believe in a connected country. We are passionate about creating a culture where colleagues feel connected, included and enjoy greater wellbeing to achieve this. We're proud that as an organisation we are continually striving to do better and actively encourage and support our colleagues to do the same with their careers. So, if you put safety first, take ownership of your work, show passion for what you do, work effectively in a team, and demonstrate integrity in how you do it - then you'll be a great fit for our organisation.

We offer many different ways to work flexibly and we're open to discuss part-time working, job shares, and flexible start and finish times. Please wait until the interview stage before asking us about flexibility, and we will explore what is possible. Our benefits package
• Our total reward package includes basic salary, the potential for a performance related bonus
• Contributory pension scheme with employer contribution of up to 10%
• Annual Leave starting at 26 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising by 1 day each year up to 31 days (plus Bank Holidays)
• Flexible hours and an approach driven by connected and sustainable working which includes hybrid working
• Life assurance of 4 times annual salary
• Health and wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7 365 days and network of mental health first aiders. Plus access to a wellbeing app to enhance your self-care 24/7, Occupational health service and flu vaccines
• A cycle to work scheme for the purchase of a bicycle and equipment for healthy, low carbon travel
• Significant investment in your career development, through learning and development, talent management, coaching, mentoring and on job experience
And we are
• Family friendly with enhanced maternity leave and pay, paternity leave (15 days), shared parental leave, adoption leave. Plus access to financial support for holiday play schemes and paid special leave (up to 5 days pa), eg for caring responsibilities
• Money friendly with access to a discounts platform including over 3000 discounts for supermarkets, eating out, leisure, holidays. Alongside a financial wellbeing programme
• Community friendly - offering paid leave to volunteer, 3 days basic/year
If you are successful, it is key to know all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory completion of our pre-employment checks which include:
• Right to work check
• 3 year employment history references
• DBS criminal record check
• Social media and adverse journalism check
• Driving licence check (if applicable)
• Fit to work questionnaire (for all), followed by a medical check (if applicable)
• Qualifications and/or professional membership check (if applicable)