Graduate Planner

Supports planning applications, development management and planning policy through research, site assessments, stakeholder engagement and local plan development.

Build your planning career in a role offering experience across development management and planning policy. As a Graduate Planner you’ll gain in depth experience of managing planning applications, supporting planning research and contribute to the progression of local plans.

We are committed to helping you build a successful planning career. You will receive ongoing support and mentoring from experienced planners, opportunities to work across a variety of projects and a clear pathway towards Planner, Senior Planner and Principal Planner roles. We actively encourage professional development and support employees working towards RTPI membership.

Job Description

This role is primarily home-based, but we’re seeking candidates located in or near Belfast, Manchester or London so that on-site support is available when needed.

As part of our commitment to building an inclusive and diverse workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from people who are from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds.

What you’ll be doing

• Support the assessment of planning applications, producing concise reports and recommendations within agreed timescales.

• Support senior planners across development management and planning policy work.

• Undertake planning research, policy analysis, site assessments and site visits as required.

• Liaise with applicants and other stakeholders, including supporting pre-application discussions.

• Compile information and evidence to support planning policy, local plans and appeals.

• Contribute to improvements in planning systems, procedures and processes, helping to deliver timely and high-quality work.

What we’re looking for

Essential

• A degree/masters level qualification in town planning.

• A valid full UK driving licence and willingness to travel for required site visits.

• A genuine interest in shaping places and communities.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent written communication and report-writing ability.

• The confidence to engage with a range of stakeholders.

• The ability to organise, prioritise and manage your workload while meeting required timescales and high-quality standards.

• Effective communication and relationship-management skills, with the confidence to work with different stakeholders and review detailed evidence.

Desirable

• Placement-year experience or practical exposure to planning applications, planning policy, research, local plans or site assessments.

• Recent experience working as a graduate planner within a local authority or public- or private-sector consultancy.

• Working towards RTPI accreditation and/or Associate Membership

About Capita

Capita has been delivering planning services to local authorities since 2005 and is one of the UK's leading providers of planning consultancy and development management support. We have partnered with more than 140 local planning authorities, delivering planning policy, development management and specialist planning expertise across a diverse range of projects.

Our team has extensive experience supporting pre-application discussions, Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs), major planning applications and strategically important development proposals, providing robust, evidence-based advice to local authorities and senior decision-makers on complex and high-profile schemes.

What’s in it for you?

• A starting salary of £25,155

• 23 days’ holiday (rising to 27) with the opportunity to buy extra leave

• The opportunity to take a paid day out of the office, volunteering for our charity partners or a cause of your choice

• Auto-enrolment to our company pension, life assurance, a cycle2work scheme, 15 weeks’ fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, paternity pay of two weeks and plenty more

• Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle – from discounts on retail and socialising, to health & wellbeing, travel and technology

• Access to our Employee Network Groups, which represent every strand of diversity and allow colleagues to connect and learn from each other on an open, inclusive platform

• Broaden your planning experience by working across both development management and planning policy, rather than specialising in one area straight away.

• Build practical experience across planning applications, research, site assessments and local plan work, with support from more senior planners.

• Develop your stakeholder experience through direct liaison with applicants and involvement in site visits, while contributing to the wider planning team.

Unlock Your Potential with Capita

At Capita, your career can take you wherever your ambition leads. You'll become part of a diverse network of talented, forward-thinking professionals working across a wide range of disciplines and sectors. We’re committed to your growth — offering exciting opportunities to expand your skills, explore new paths, and advance your career.