Graduate Town Planner - Birmingham or Nottingham

Arup is a global consultancy with advisory and technical expertise across more than 150 disciplines, focusing on guiding, planning, and designing the future of the built environment. Each year, they recruit hundreds of graduates and students to help solve complex challenges.

The Opportunity

The Town Planning team, with 150 planners across 17 UK offices, works on high-profile and complex projects, offering end-to-end planning and policy advice. They cover planning policy, spatial strategy, regeneration, major infrastructure planning, development management, and research, aiming to deliver sustainable, resilient, and inclusive places. Collaboration with engineers, environmental specialists, urban designers, and economists is key to tackling issues like housing delivery and climate change.

This role is based in either the Birmingham or Nottingham offices, contributing to national projects shaping the region's future. Projects include planning for Birmingham Airport's sustainable growth, planning new grid connections for energy needs, and working on new reservoirs. Policy work involves supporting Spatial Development Strategies for the East and West Midlands Combined Authorities and developing a new vision for Nottingham's regeneration.

What You'll Do

• Support the preparation of planning applications, planning policy documents, spatial strategies, and evidence-based studies for public and private sector clients.
• Conduct research, data analysis, and report writing for planning, development, regeneration, and major infrastructure projects, using digital tools, GIS, and AI-assisted techniques.
• Contribute to environmental, socio-economic, and other impact assessments for planning and consent processes.
• Assist with stakeholder and community engagement activities, including workshops and consultations.
• Collaborate within multi-disciplinary teams (planners, engineers, urban designers, environmental specialists, economists) to deliver sustainable and inclusive places.
• Help implement and utilize digital and AI tools for spatial data, dashboards, visualization, and automating routine analysis.

Is This Role Right For You?

Qualifications, Skills & Attributes:

• An undergraduate or bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g., Urban Planning, Architecture, Geography & Geospatial Science, Urban Design). RTPI-accredited degrees are preferred.
• Desirable technical skills: experience with GIS, mapping, or spatial analysis software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS); proficiency with data handling and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI); practical interest in applying AI and automation to planning tasks.

To be considered, your application must include:

• A copy of your academic transcript.
• Full working rights in the UK.
• No more than 12 months of full-time experience in a comparable role.
• Recent graduation or on-track to graduate before employment starts.

Core Attributes:

• Changemakers: Care about sustainable development and making a difference.
• Innovative minds: Think critically, question, and are open to new approaches.
• Growth seekers: Curious, seek feedback, and aim for continuous development.
• Adaptable adventurers: Comfortable with uncertainty and adaptable to evolving projects.

Start Date: 1 September 2027

Eligibility

• Must have full working rights in the UK and be eligible to work permanently without sponsorship.

What We Offer

• A career where you can belong, grow, and thrive.
• Competitive, fair, and equitable pay.
• Benefits supporting health and wellbeing.
• Wide range of learning opportunities.
• Opportunities to make an impact through work.
• Profit Share scheme.
• Flexible working approach.
• Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance, and Income protection cover.
• Access to flexible benefits for wellbeing.

Next Steps

• Application process includes: online application, psychometric testing, application review, case study, interview, and offer stage.
• Apply as early as possible as applications are reviewed on receipt.

Equal Opportunities

Arup is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. They welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. They are committed to making recruitment processes accessible and offer assistance for candidates needing reasonable adjustments.