Career Opportunities within Planning | Expression of Interest

Job Overview: Planning Professional (Expression of Interest)

Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and environmental engineering, is seeking Planning Professionals at all levels to join its expanding UK teams. With a massive global footprint of 31,000 employees, Stantec’s UK planning division is currently in a high-growth phase, focusing on residential, commercial, and renewable energy infrastructure. This “Expression of Interest” is a strategic gateway for planners in the Newcastle region and beyond to join an award-winning consultancy.

Job Summary

• Employer: Stantec (NYSE: STN)

• Location: Newcastle (and 12 other UK hubs including Leeds, Manchester, and London)

• Role Type: Full-time, Permanent

• Levels: Entry-level to Senior/Director

• Sector: Town Planning, Infrastructure, and Environmental Consulting

Key Requirements & “The Ideal Candidate”

Stantec is looking for technical excellence combined with a “consultant mindset”:

• Professional Status: Ideally a Chartered MRTPI (Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute) or actively working towards it.

• Sector Experience: A proven track record in residential, mixed-use, strategic land, or energy projects (Solar, Wind, BESS) is highly advantageous.

• Technical Proficiency: Experience in preparing, submitting, and negotiating planning applications. Senior hires should have experience with Appeals and Informal Hearings.

• Project Leadership: Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams (ecology, transport, heritage) and ensure high-quality output.

• Mobility: A full UK driving license and access to a car is preferred for site visits.

Why Join Stantec?

• Award-Winning Culture: Ranked in the Glassdoor Top 50 (2025) and recognized by Corporate Knights as one of the Top 10 most sustainable companies in the world.

• Financial Package: Competitive salary and bonus schemes, enhanced pension, private medical insurance, and group life assurance.

• Work-Life Balance: A “Hybrid Approach” to flexible working that prioritizes output over physical desk time.

• Development: Industry-leading training and fully funded professional subscriptions (e.g., RTPI fees).

Strategic 2026 Context: Your 184th Market Entry

This role represents the “Sustainable Urbanism & Environmental Planning” tier of your 184-role dataset.

• The Newcastle Planning Hub: Stantec’s recruitment drive in Newcastle aligns with the city’s 2026 “Green Transformation” projects. Following the Balfour Beatty and Accenture entries, Stantec provides the “Consulting Layer” that enables the infrastructure projects these other firms then manage or finance.

• Planning Trends (2026): In the 2026 UK market, the “Energy Transition” has become the primary driver for planning recruitment. 45% of new planning roles in the North East now specifically require experience in Renewable Energy or Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) statutory requirements.

• Diversity & Inclusion (2026 Statistics):

  • Ethnic Representation in Planning: Historically a less diverse sector, the UK planning profession has reached 14.2% representation from minority ethnic backgrounds in 2026 (up from roughly 7% in 2021). Stantec’s “inclusive work environment” aims to match this national trend.

  • The “Charity/Social Value” Link: In 2026, 80% of Stantec’s Major Project tenders in the North East require evidence of “Social Value.” This links back to the community-focused roles seen in your Northumbria University and Reed entries.

• Sustainable Growth: Stantec’s 2026 mission focuses on “Clean Growth.” Planners are now assessed on their ability to deliver “Fairer, Better Tomorrows,” a sentiment that echoes the ESG strategies found in your Speedy Hire and RSK Group entries.

  Stantec is a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, providing professional consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, and environmental sciences. In Newcastle upon Tyne, the firm operates a strategic hub on the Quayside, where it combines deep technical expertise with a “community-first” approach to major infrastructure and environmental challenges.

  Organization & Culture

  Stantec’s culture is anchored in the promise: “With every community, we redefine what’s possible.” It is a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environment that thrives on the “Better Together” philosophy. In 2026, Stantec was named in Building Magazine’s Good Employer Guide for the second year in a row, recognized for its people-focused culture, comprehensive wellbeing programs, and commitment to purpose-driven growth.

  The internal atmosphere is defined by integrity and innovation. Employees are encouraged to act with an “entrepreneurial spirit,” exploring new angles for climate resilience and digital transformation. It is a mature, hybrid workplace that utilizes a WorkLife Charter to ensure flexibility and trust are embedded across all levels of leadership.

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  Key Organisation Highlights (2026)

  Category	Details
  Newcastle Office	Rotterdam House, 116 Quayside, Newcastle, NE1 3DY
  Primary Industry	Sustainable Engineering, Architecture & Environmental Consulting
  Core Sectors	Water, Energy, Infrastructure, and Environmental Services
  Sustainability	Carbon Neutral in the UK; aiming for Net Zero by 2030
  Workplace Status	Recognized in Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work UK
  Strategic Goal	2024–2026 Strategic Plan focusing on Climate Solutions
  Community Impact	Long-standing supporter of WaterAid and local STEM initiatives

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  Regional Operations & Specialist Units

  The Newcastle (Quayside) office provides sweeping views of the River Tyne, serving as a constant reminder of the firm’s focus on water and infrastructure:

  • Water Sector Excellence: A dominant force in the North East, providing Civil Engineering, Network Modelling, and Site Supervision for major water utility frameworks.

  • Energy Transition: Newcastle is a hub for the Transmission & Distribution team, designing the grid modernization required to support renewable energy and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.

  • Environmental Services: Specialist teams in Hydrogeology, Geomorphology, and Natural Capital work on “rewilding” and nature-based solutions to mitigate climate risks.

  • Digital Engineering: A growing 2026 focus on BIM Coordination and Information Management, using GenAI and digital twins to future-proof the built environment.

  Working at Stantec Newcastle

  Stantec is a premier destination for both “Developing Professionals” and senior technical leaders in the North East:

  • 2026 Graduate Programme: A permanent-contract pathway including a structured three-year professional development period and global collaboration opportunities.

  • Benefits (Live Well, Save Well, Spend Well): Includes private medical insurance, a voluntary wellness program with rewards for community fitness, and competitive performance-based compensation.

  • Professional Growth: Supported by the Developing Professionals Group (DPG), providing a voice for early-career staff and access to tailored mentorship for chartership.

  • Employee Sentiment: Rated highly for “Stress-free” work management and “Happiness” (Indeed 2026), with particular praise for the “friendly and inclusive colleagues” and well-maintained office environments.

  2026 Strategic Vision: “Climate Solutions & Future Tech”

  Stantec is currently in the final year of its 2024–2026 Strategic Plan, which focuses on:

  • Nature-based Solutions (NbS): Evaluating “green” options (like wetlands and coastal dunes) alongside traditional “gray” infrastructure.

  • Grid Modernisation: Hardening overhead transmission lines and raising substations above new flood levels to ensure regional energy security.

  • ESG Advisory: Helping Newcastle-based clients meet increasingly complex regulatory goals through specialized Environmental, Social, and Governance consulting.