Job Description

Together, we're working to welcome millions more passengers, while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability. At Heathrow, you can be part of this - providing solutions that make every journey better for millions each year. That means ensuring we meet the changing needs of the passengers, colleagues and partners who use our airport to work, travel, trade, shop, eat, explore and connect. Our Solutions team covers project management, process improvement, business change, technology, cyber defence, masterplanning, infrastructure and procurement. It brings together people with the skills to deliver prestigious and often large-scale projects, from transforming terminals to making big reductions in our carbon emissions.


Every day will test your skills and give you the opportunity to make your mark. You might be working with the technology and data that power our city within a city, driving vital commercial agreements with everyone from retailers to airlines, or improving the unique infrastructure that includes everything from 200 buildings to 250 HV substations. It's a collaborative environment, where you can rely on the support of the experts around you as you take on projects you'll both take pride in and feel passionate about.



The Senior Town Planning Manager will support the Head of Town Planning and Consenting in developing and implementing planning and consenting strategies which facilitate the sustainable future of the airport and for ensuring that all necessary planning consents are secured for Heathrow's capital investment programmes.


The role holder should be familiar with the two principal consenting regimes relevant to Heathrow's capital investment programmes; the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA) and the Development Consent Order (DCO) regimes.


The role holder should be able to provide strategic planning advice to the business on national, regional and local planning policy, seeking to influence the development of planning policy, including in relation to the Airports National Policy Statement, to protect and promote Heathrow's interests.



Advise the business on all matters relating to planning policy (including the Airports National Policy Statement) and the promotion of capital investment projects through the planning system. Build and maintain strong relationships with key external stakeholders in the planning system including local planning authorities, the Planning Inspectorate and other external agencies. Provide expert advice on DCO and consenting activities to support Heathrow's long-term growth, while helping to shape and implement a clear consenting strategy, pre-application processes, and the submission of DCO and other planning applications. Oversee planning applications and other submissions to facilitate delivery of Heathrow's capital investment plan and ensure advice on all planning matters proactively provided to the business. Oversee processes to track planning policy, legislative changes, and third-party applications, delivering strong responses to consultations to protect and promote Heathrow's interests. Ensure processes in place to secure compliance with planning laws and conditions/obligations attached to existing planning consents.

Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. Relevant DCO experience of developing infrastructure in a planning and consenting role. Excellent knowledge of UK planning law and regulation as well as policies and procedures. Significant planning experience within an established UK Planning team. Significant experience in handling Planning, Environmental Impact Assessment, Compulsory Acquisition and Statutory Consultation matters related to large infrastructure projects. Interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

There's something so special about working at the world's most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities.


Every day, you'll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore.


It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans. Together, we're working to welcome millions more passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability.


Join us on that journey and we'll help you achieve your ambitions too. Supporting you to learn, encouraging you to be yourself, backing you to achieve more than you might ever have imagined. Because there's no place like Heathrow.

Our rewards

We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance-based annual bonuses and our longer-term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market-leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we'll support you to be at your best inside and outside work. And of course, we'll provide varied learning and development opportunities too. Here you'll find everything you need for a fulfilling career journey that can take you in exciting directions.

Working Location

Our Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity for colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing the flexibility to work in an agile way whilst ensuring we deliver for the operational needs of Heathrow . Working arrangements vary from team to team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You'll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.

Sustainable Travel to work

Heathrow's Sustainable Travel Guide sets out easy and sustainable travel options that everyone can access.

Equal Opportunities

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger - not least because we welcome passengers from all corners of the globe, every single day. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. With five diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.